Agri Aware Launches New Educational Resource for Primary Schools
Agri Aware has launched a new curriculum-linked educational resource for primary schools.
Called ‘Dig In’, it will enable primary level students to learn about life on the farm and in the countryside, and the importance of the Irish agri-food industry in delivering safe, quality food.
Launched last week by Tom Hayes, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the ‘Dig In’ resource has four modules, encompassing the needs of all classes, from junior infants to sixth class.
Each module has 19 lesson plans which focus on various aspects of farming, including the countryside, farm and electrical safety, the environment, sustainability, food security, agriculture in Africa and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The material is directly linked to the science, geography and social, personal and health education curricula in primary schools.
Agri Aware chairman Bernard Donohue said the new resource is aimed at giving primary school children an appreciation of the vital role that agriculture plays in our daily lives and the importance of CAP in ensuring affordable food as well as a beautiful green countryside and the highest animal welfare standards.
Minister Hayes encouraged all teachers to cover the lesson plans on farm safety contained in ‘Dig In’.
“It is important that children are made aware of the dangers present on farm and I am delighted that the farm safety topics covered in this publication include the dangers of silage/slurry pits and tractor safety,” he said.
The new resource was co-financed by the EU Commission’s Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development and supported by Agri Aware’s patrons, the IFA and FBD.
Teachers wishing to avail of Agri Aware’s ‘Dig In’ resource pack should contact Agri Aware at 01 4601103 or email:nora.peters@agriaware.ie.
