Getting kids into farming
A charming 23-page book ''Cows & calves: life on a dairy farm'' has been developed by the Animals in Schools Education Trust (AISET).
It covers the life of heifer calves from birth through to their life as dairy cows, dealing with a lot of the reality that is dairy farming. Yes, it does mention bobby calves, artificial insemination and management of effluent and water ways. There are plenty of colour photographs to encourage children, and their parents, to pick it up and read it.
The book has been developed for Year 3-8 students or children aged around 10 and 11. It aims to raise their interest in life in the rural community, agriculture, food and possible career choices.
AISET was set up to promote the inclusion of animal topics in the New Zealand school curricula and Federated Farmers is proud to be a member of this trust. Other topics include lambs, ''Cold snap lambs'', poultry and companion animals.
Copies of these books can be obtained from AISET (www.aiset.org.nz).
