Ag & Hort Update
The Patch
After a makeover during Term 1, The Patch is now fully operational. Last week, our MLO and gardening guru, Hussam (Samy) Saraf, brought in twenty trees, that he has kindly donated to the school, for planting in The Patch. Samy spent the morning planting with some help from Efe, Shakhean and Dylan. Varieties included various citrus trees, olive, fejoa and vines including grapes and berries. We can’t wait to reap the rewards!
In addition, three chickens have arrived and are settling in. We hope egg production will ramp up really soon.
Year 11 VCE Ag Hort students have created their own roster to care for the chickens morning and afternoon, including egg collection.
The Year 12 VCE Ag Hort students will be commencing an area of study on ‘Sustainable Businesses’ in Ag when Unit 4 begins. They will be focusing on The Patch as an agribusiness and have already had a taste of marketing for the eggs.
The Year 9 Sense of Humus class and Year 11 Ag Hort students have planted winter vegetables in the garden beds and are awaiting the first lettuces to mature. Some seedlings have emerged already.
Excursions
Last week the Year 9 Sense of Humus class planted approximately 100 trees in Mooroopna as part of the ‘One Tree Per Child’ program, with the Council. Former staff member and now Council employee, Kylie Hoskin, worked with the students to get various species of trees in the ground in the Lenne Street floodway.
On Friday the Year 11 VCE students visited Flavorite Hydroponic farm near Tatura to learn about commercial hydroponic production of tomatoes and cucumbers. The learning they experienced on horticultural systems, integrated pest management and plant nutrient systems, will be revisited when they complete their SAC in a couple of weeks.
Coming up:
- VCE Unit 1 Ag Hort students visit Alcheringa Biodynamic Dairy Farm Friday Week 4
- Dookie Food and Fibre Day – Friday Week 5
- VCE Unit 3 Faecal Egg Count practical - Week 5
- VCE Ag Hort SACs – Unit 1 and unit 3 – week 6
- VCE Unit 1 Ag Hort exam - Week 7
Charlotte Drinnan
Agriculture & Horticulture