Graduate Projects

Promote the Citrus Industry to School Children

Project:
Increase the awareness of horticulture, especially the citrus industry in primary schools.

Project Leader:
Nina Andrews, grower, South Australia

Background:
In a citrus region in South Australia concern existed in relation to young people considering the citrus as career of choice.  It was believed that if young children from 5-12 years understood more about the industry and the wide range of careers available they would consider it as an option in later life.

Aim:
Develop an awareness program for school children.

Process:

• Approach local schools and present a proposal to incorporate a lesson on the citrus industry to young children.
• Determine how to engage the children, there it was decided to base the program on their senses: see, feel, taste, and smell. In addition a visit to a citrus orchard and packing shed was also incorporated into the session.
• Gained agreement from the school to conduct the session.
• Conducted the program.

Challenges:

• Overcoming a lack of confidence.
• Communicating with a wide range of stakeholders and ages.
• Occupational health and safety regulations preventing the visit to the orchard and packing shed.
  

Outcomes:
Exposed over 100 children from two primary schools to citrus fruit and the industry using a practical, hands on approach.