We felt that all our learning connect under this theme Healthy Communities. We really wanted to make the show that farmers are the reason we have a healthy community. We have tried to capture elements of this in our cow. We have the farmer....
and we have the healthy community that is benefiting from the love the farmer has put into the food. However, this community is taking it for granted. They are wasting water and praying for 'rain free' days so they can have a picnic.
We have also made Healthy Communities a feature of our multimedia production. Again this is because we feel this covers all elements of our learning.
Healthy Communities – A shared responsibility Tim Eyes, a young farming champion, said it was a privledge to feed others with his quality beef. A privledge he said. We did not know how big this statement was until we set out to learn more. I am a teenager. In the evening I come home from school to find my mum preparing dinner. My favourite meal is spaghetti bolognaise. I set my school bag down, retreat to my room, and touch base with my friends via my phone. “Dinner’s ready” calls mum. I make my way to the kitchen where she places a warm bowl of spaghetti into my hands. I look down and all of a sudden I am hit with the aroma of beef. I suddenly remember the day I met Tim Eyes. I suddenly remember what I have leant in class. And right in that moment, I am grateful for all it has taken to put that Bolognese on my plate. Everyone in Australia, and in fact the globe, deserves access to safe, affordable and nutrious food and our farmers, like Tim, are on the job. Did you know that despite being the driest continent Australian cattle farmers play a major role in feeding the world? Australia produces only 4% of the world’s beef yet is the world’s third largest exporter exporting to over 100 countries providing much needed protein to the world’s population. Not only do we need beef farmer’s to provide us with food, but we all source a number of every day products from beef such as leather to make footballs and other sporting goods, gelitan which is used to make gummy bears and marshmallows, soaps and be auty products, glue and printing ink and even the asphalt on our roads.
But what are we doing to support our farmers? They have a lot to think about to make this happen for us. Have you ever thought what a farmer thinks? A farmer needs to consider the weather and the impact this weather has on the land. They need to think about water, and in Australia, the lack of water. They need to consider the environment and more and more pressure is being put on farmers to be environmentally friendly and change their agricultural practices to help combat climate change. They need to look after their animals with animal welfare a top priority in their day to day work. After all, these animals are their bread and butter (literally). Safety of their workers and safe food production is also a thought. Farmers consider the way new technology can support them. They sweat about money and how to pay for all this while still supporting their family. Families who often work together on the farm. Children doing chores and caring for animals before and after school. All to put nutritious food on our tables. All to ensure we are a healthy community.
Farmers have a lot to think about and I need to think about it more. I need to think about how I can support my farmers support our nation. I need to think about my food waste and take responsibility for educating others in my home and school. I need to take responsibility for climate change and as a young Australian speak up where I can to try and make those in power listen before it is too late. I need to try and reduce my individual carbon footprint. I need to be more adventurous in my food choices, and further to this, encourage my parents to source local produce. I need to educate myself and others about where my food comes from.
I also need, we all need, to ensure our farmers know we’ve got them. The weight should not be on their shoulders.
To ensure we have a healthy community, we have to ensure our farmers are healthy, both mentally and physically. That is why we have created this mural. It will be auctioned off to support rural initatives through the aussie farmers foundation. Tim Eyes, says he is proud to be part of this industry. We are proud of him. It takes courage to be a farmer and feed this hungry nation.