Secondary School Program

The VEG Education Farm Gate Program for Secondary Schools provides an immersive, professionally oriented exploration of modern horticulture and the fresh produce sector. Through a combination of farm visits, hands-on workshops, and specialised learning resources, the program connects classroom theory with real-world agricultural practices. Students investigate how vegetables are produced at scale, the technologies driving industry innovation, and the complex social, economic, and environmental factors that influence Australia’s food system.

Secondary School Program

Designed to support STEM learning, Design and Technologies, Geography, and VET pathways, the program encourages students to think critically about sustainability, food waste, food citizenship, and food sovereignty, while also highlighting diverse career opportunities across horticulture and the broader food supply chain.

Topics Covered

1. Modern Horticultural Systems

Commercial vegetable production at scale
Comparing conventional, organic, and regenerative systems
Controlled environment agriculture (CEA), hydroponics, vertical farms

2. Agricultural Technologies & Innovation

Precision agriculture tools (drones, sensors, soil probes, automation)
Data-driven decision making
Machinery and robotics in horticulture
Packaging, processing, and post-harvest technologies

3. Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship

Soil health and nutrient management
Water efficiency, irrigation technologies, and climate adaptation
Biodiversity and integrated pest management (IPM)

4. Food Waste & Circular Economy

Causes and impacts of food waste across the supply chain
Waste reduction strategies: harvesting efficiencies, processing, redistribution
Composting, soil regeneration, and circular resource flow models

5. Food Citizenship & Food Sovereignty

What it means to be an ethical and informed participant in the food system
Access, equity, and community food systems
Cultural perspectives on food and land
Local food systems and consumer decision-making

6. Careers in Horticulture & the Food System

Pathways into agronomy, horticulture, food technology, logistics, research, biosecurity, and agribusiness
Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways and industry qualifications
Emerging job roles shaped by technology and sustainability trends

7. Farm Visit & Applied Learning Workshops

Industry-led demonstrations on growing, harvesting, quality control, and post-harvest handling
Risk management, workplace health and safety
Practical challenges and problem-solving that simulate real agricultural scenarios

By participating in the program, secondary school students will:

  • Explain how vegetables are grown, processed, and delivered within complex supply chains
  • Understand modern agricultural technologies and their role in sustainable food production
  • Analyse factors influencing food waste, environmental impact, and resource use
  • Demonstrate understanding of food citizenship and food sovereignty concepts
  • Recognise the breadth of careers available within the horticulture and fresh produce industries
  • Apply scientific inquiry and data interpretation to real farm environments
  • Use design thinking to solve agricultural challenges (e.g., productivity, sustainability, waste reduction)
  • Evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of agricultural decisions
  • Communicate findings through reports, presentations, or practical demonstrations
  • Engage with industry professionals and understand workplace expectations
  • Develop informed perspectives on sustainable and ethical food systems
  • Build appreciation for the work, skills, and innovation required to produce fresh food
  • Strengthen interest in VET pathways and STEM-related agricultural careers
  • Foster responsibility and agency as consumers and participants in the food system

Curriculum Alignment

The program aligns strongly with the Australian Curriculum, senior secondary subject frameworks, and VET pathways, including:

Design and Technologies (Years 7–10)

  • Food and Fibre Production (ACTDEK032)
    • Investigating contemporary food and fibre systems
  • Processes and Production Skills (ACTDEP035–ACTDEP049)
    • Designing, testing, and evaluating sustainable solutions

Science (Years 7–10)

  • Biological Sciences: ecosystems, nutrient cycles, plant physiology
  • Earth & Environmental Science: resource management, climate impacts
  • Science Inquiry Skills: fieldwork, data collection, analysis, evaluation

Geography (Years 7–10)

  • Environmental Change & Management
  • Place, Space, and Interconnectedness
  • Global Food Systems & Food Security (ACHGK075–ACHGK080)

Health & Physical Education

  • Food and nutrition — access, equity, sustainable diets

Ethical Understanding / Civics & Citizenship

  • Ethical food choices, sustainability, social responsibility
  • Food citizenship and sovereignty concepts

Senior Secondary & VET Pathways

Supports alignment with:

  • VET Agriculture / Horticulture (AHC)
  • Food & Fibre Industry Skills
  • STEM pathways
  • Environmental Science & Geography

Work Studies (Years 9–10)

Career exploration, workplace learning