Ag Studies

Ag Studies (Food & Fibre) has resumed for second semester with a fresh batch of keen students. While things are typically quiet in the garden this time of year, there is always numerous jobs that need to be done in preparation for the more intense activity that Spring will undoubtably bring. 

This week we started pruning our black muscat table grapes. These vines are quite vigorous and by the end of summer are a tangled mess of vines and tendrils. They were no match however, for Niamh, Willow, Marlee, Kate and Indi who, armed with sharp secateurs, quickly and efficiently returned the vines to a tidy state, ready for spring growth and fruit production. 

Meanwhile, Ollie and Harrison were able to dismantle a steel-framed greenhouse that was taking up valuable space, and install a much-needed retractable hose reel. Both boys displayed admirable engineering ability.

While most of the garden beds were in pretty good shape, one of them had become very weedy. Cleo, Nathanial, Keisha, Ollie and Phoebe cleared out the bed and sent all the weeds to be composted. This means that all the beds are now ready for spring planting when the weather warms up. 

Jack, Harrison, Tom, Steven, Marcus, Micayla and Kyra volunteered to empty the compost bins and add the compost to the garden beds. This was hard work as the compost needed to be tipped from the rotating bins into a wheelbarrow and wheeled back to garden. Quite a journey now with our usual access to the garden blocked by the current building works. 

Finally, Angus and Will cleaned up the area around the old compost heap, removing the harder material, allowing the compost to completely break down.

Along with our practical activities, students are also learning about OH&S. Students will complete an OH&S test based on the activities that will be completing around the school. They will also complete an assigned task on farm safety and the potential dangers involved in working in agriculture.

Andrew Allen 

Food and Fibre Teacher