Early awareness is critical to raising farming’s profile, according to child educator Simone Kain.
Inspired by her own three farm-obsessed boys, Mrs Kain created the character George the Farmer, with business partner Ben Hood.
They aim to teach Australian children about farming and food production with the award-winning character.
Mrs Kain won the 2017 SA RIDRC Rural Women’s Award; the NAB National Women’s Agenda Regional Entrepreneur of the Year; and the Brand SA Flinders University Education Award.
She is set to share her inspiring story with the Victorian agricultural community as guest speaker at the Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria gala dinner next Thursday night in Melbourne.
The agricultural industry needs to engage young people, not only as consumers, but also as future participants and leaders. Mrs Kain said she created George to address the knowledge gap in a fun and educational way.
“George the Farmer plays a critical role in educating children about how and where food is grown and also inspires children to consider innovative careers in agriculture in their futures,” she said.
The character is brought to life in picture books, apps, songs, toys, videos and live performance with 50 cents from the sale of every book reinvested in providing free curriculum-aligned teacher’s resources for educators across the country.
The free agricultural resources have been downloaded more than 3000 times in the past six months and accessed by around 40,000 children.
Presented by the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) and The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), the Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria dinner has, in its fifth year, grown to become a premier event on the Victorian agriculture calendar. The event brings together Victoria’s agricultural community for an evening of food, fibre, farming and friendship.
“RASV and VFF know that early awareness, education and highlighting agriculture as a valuable career option is vital to the industry,” VFF president David Jochinke said.
“It is critical for us to ensure we are actively engaged with young people, so we are delighted to have Simone share her experience at the dinner, as she is leading the way in agricultural education.”
Guests will enjoy a four-course dinner, featuring some of the finest local produce matched with some of Victoria’s finest wines and beers.
For the first time, the event will be held at the MCG Members Dining Room and is timed to coincide with the AFL Country Round.
Tickets are available at heartofvic.com.au
