The agriculture industry’s Australian Year of the Farmer, (AYOF) – will raise awareness of the importance of this industry and the need for Australians to support it.
Australian farms directly and indirectly generate over a quarter of our gross domestic product – in excess of $400 billion a year.
Agriculture is a cornerstone of Australia’s economy and is embedded in our culture and lifestyle. Australian farm produce is regarded among the best in the world.
It is generally fresher and healthier than the imported product.
Our geographical isolation, our climate, our high production and food handling standards and the know-how of our farmers underpin one of our nation’s most valuable industries.
Australians have come to take the availability and quality of food produce for granted. The aggressive, self-serving marketing practices of major food retailers are teaching consumers that price is the only point of difference they need consider.
That perception is incorrect and must be changed.
An AYOF travelling road show, with nine vehicles, will appear at some 900 events around the country and city during 2012.
The road show will educate through interactive displays and entertaining activities for all ages. Other AYOF activities target young people to get them thinking about agriculture and the part it plays in their lives – no matter where they live – and get farming industry related material into more Australian classrooms. AYOF is also working with Art4Agriculture to develop the Archibull Prize nationally.
The Archibull Prize engages primary and secondary school students in agriculture by testing their art and design creativity and brings students into direct contact with farmers, natural resource managers and industry experts.
Students are given a life-size model cow to use as the basis for an artwork on the theme ‘What does it take to feed and clothe your capital city for a day sustainably?’
Awards and prizes are given and the decorated cows are then publicly displayed, which spreads the message into the broader community.
Focus will also fall on career opportunities within the agriculture industry.
Modern day farming is no longer menial work. It is a profession requiring an increasing amount of technological savvy and training.
A joint effort between AYOF and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is aimed at year 10 students.
It provides career education material about the many employment opportunities – rural and metropolitan – in agriculture.
Other events include a four-day Innovation and Technology Expo, a Food of Origin Extravaganza, a living farm display to bring the country to the city, industry conferences and ‘smart farming’ seminars that delve into the increasingly important financial farm management methods now available.
As a measure of its significance and relevance to the Australian economy, AYOF is supported by some of the country’s biggest businesses including manufacturers, retailers and media organisations as well as all governments, state and federal.
And the AYOF patron is no less than the Governor General, Quentin Bryce AC.
Her involvement again demonstrates the importance many have attached to this special year-long celebration of Australian farming.
I applaud the vision of the instigators of the Australian Year of the Farmer and encourage all Australians to get behind their activities in every way they can.
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