Farmer Time for Schools has seen further growth in student participation in the past year, connecting more learners with farmers across the country to give them a view of life on the farm.
In 2024, 1,253 students took part, an increase of 14 percent from 2023, with 57 farmer-teacher pairings.
Now in its fourth year, this innovative programme, led by Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc, uses live video calls with farmers to bring farming and food production to life in the classroom.
Farmer Time for Schools National Coordinator Marie Burke says the programme continues to have a meaningful impact on students, teachers, and farmers alike.
“We see students develop a real connection with the land and their food, while farmers gain a sense of pride in sharing their knowledge.”
Farmer Time for Schools introduces students to a variety of farm types including sheep, beef, dairy, and deer, alongside exploring topics such as sustainability, animal care and welfare, soil health, technology, and the role of climate in food production.
The ongoing success of Farmer Time for Schools is reflected in the recent annual survey.
Teachers surveyed praised the programme for providing an engaging way for students to connect with the rural community and deepen their understanding of where food comes from, while farmers valued the opportunity to share their stories, inspire future generations, and showcase the career opportunities in the primary industries.
Meanwhile, students said they enjoyed learning about the diverse roles farmers play and had developed a greater appreciation for their hard work and passion.
“This is a good programme that takes little thought and time from the farmers' point of view,” says Jason a sheep and beef farmer from Waipukurau.
“The most enjoyable aspect was showing the kids what I do and seeing how the simple things I take for granted are of interest to them.” Jason was matched with a class at Bulls School.
Rebecca, a sheep and beef farmer from Amberley, said she’d really enjoyed the range of questions from students and getting an understanding of how they see farming. Students were able to learn about animals and had discussions around sustainability and the reality of where food comes from.
Molly, a teacher from Raumati Beach School said Farmer Time for Schools was a valuable time that her year 2 students looked forward to and enjoyed. They loved the video calls with farmer Kirsten showing what farmers, machinery and animals do, where roast lamb comes from, and learning what dagging and shearing is and why it's done.
Emma, a teacher from Northland School, Wellington, also wanted to thank farmers for the effort they put into this programme. “It is so beneficial for students who don’t see beyond the supermarket,” she says.
The initiative is currently looking for more farmers to participate. Marie says, "New teachers sign up throughout the year and we always need farmers to match with them. If you can spare 15-20 minutes every two weeks to keep students up to date with what’s happening on the farm, I urge you to get involved.”
More information
To find out more or to sign up to take part visit www.farmertime.co.nz.
Read the 2024 Farmer Time for Schools Impact Report (PDF, 3.4 MB)