A Nuffield scholarship, backed by Hort Innovation, has enabled Catherine Velisha, a Victorian vegetable grower, to explore global grower-led education programs. Her research spanned the UK, USA, Ireland, and Australia, aiming to enhance vegetable consumption and appreciation.
Catherine, Managing Director of Velisha Farms, operates VEG Education, a Registered Training Organisation in Werribee South. It runs curriculum-aligned programs to educate young people on the benefits of vegetables. Catherine stated, "There is increasing evidence that while the benefits of getting in your five serves of vegetables a day are widely reported and known, people's daily intakes are not meeting the mark."
The initiative includes school visits and educational content, such as farming practice videos and recipes. Catherine believes this approach helps dispel misconceptions about cost and accessibility, encouraging informed choices. "I believe that this educational approach not only fosters a greater appreciation for fresh produce among children but also helps address misconceptions about costs and accessibility," she noted.
Her report highlights the trend of collaboration between agriculture, education, and communities to promote understanding of food production and healthier eating. Programs like the US's National Farm to School Network and the UK's LEAF Education emphasize hands-on learning, curriculum integration, digital platforms, and collaboration. Catherine said, "There's great potential for grower-led education models to instil a passion and love for vegetables from an early age, hopefully getting young Aussies eating them more often, and even working in the industry."
Catherine encourages those in food or fibre production to apply for Nuffield Scholarships to challenge conventional thinking and develop leadership and operational excellence.
Source: Nuffield Australia