New teachers in our school farms

Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Education and Training

Tasmania's school farms are being revitalised to provide the next generation of agricultural leaders with the skills they need to succeed and build Tasmania's reputation as an agricultural powerhouse.

This is why the Hodgman Liberal Government is investing $16.1 million to our Revitalising School Farms initiative, $7.56 million of this money is going towards more school farm teachers in our schools.

Today, I visited Lilydale District School which has received valuable support through this initiative.

As well an additional teacher (0.5FTE), valuable upgrades have also been completed. These include the upgrading of stock yards, improving soil nutrient levels and improving pasture quality and quantity.

The Hodgman Liberal Government has allocated $4.3 million to other key school sites, including the redevelopment of the existing Jordan River Learning Federation School Farm at Brighton and $3 million for the redevelopment of the Sheffield School Farm.

A total of 15 schools with farms in Tasmania have received direct support through this initiative, and their operational needs will also benefit from $800,000 over four years.