CANEGROWERS Media Release

26 July 2011: Cowboys in the classroom: talking sugarcane & water quality to kids

Schools now have access to a fun module about one of Australia’s most important agricultural commodities – sugarcane.  Launching the Cowboys in the Classroom sugarcane module was Cowboys player, Scott Bolton, who rolled up his sleeves on 26 July, leading a class at Vincent State School in Townsville through the new farming practices and technologies employed by growers to protect water quality.

The new paddock to plate module includes a great new movie about how sugar is made – and as a sweetener – the Cowboys are sponsoring a competition which gives participating schools the chance to enter their classwork for a chance to win some cool Cowboys prizes.

This project has certainly been a little different to most CANEGROWERS projects.  “It responds to calls from the public that we should be educating our children – the next generation – about where their food comes from – connecting them to the importance of the land, farmers and food production,” explains Matt Kealley, Environment Manager for CANEGROWERS.

He says that while the module is aimed at year 5-7 classes across Australia, last year entries for the competition flooded in from years 1 to 7 classes – and this year, CANEGROWERS is expecting the same again.

“There were some incredible entries from a diverse range of age brackets cleverly showing what farmers are doing on farm to look after and protect water quality and the environment, while ensuring that the industry continues to grow and support the economy,” says Kealley.

“We were touched that the entries really bought home that growers are proud of their environmental performance and adoption of sustainable farming practices.”

He said CANEGROWERS had partnered with the Australian Government's Reef Rescue initiative to produce materials for the project, because of the innate synergy of the groups’ joint aim of improving the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

Scott Bolton has come on board as CANEGROWERS ambassador on the Cowboys in the Classroom project.  “Coming from a cane growing district in North Queensland, I know how much time and hard effort our farmers put in to their farms and how conscious they are of protecting the surrounding environment,” said Scott.

“It’s an important message that we need to get out to the schools and I’m proud to have a role in doing that,” he said.

CANEGROWERS says that sugarcane growers manage some of Australia’s most unique vegetation, animal life and waterways and have the Great Barrier Reef in their backyard.  “Things have really moved on from the hype some 20 years ago and growers have taken on the mantle of farming responsibly – to protect the natural resources, their children’s heritage, and of course, the value of their property,” says Kealley.

“The module goes beyond the paddock to plate information, and really delves into the importance of water quality and what farmers can and are doing to protect the reef and environs.”

The program is open to all schools in Australia, with the opportunity for participating schools to go in the draw to win a limited edition Johnathan Thurston print or a framed jersey signed by the whole 2011 Cowboys team.  The prizes can be used as a fundraising tool or displayed for all students to enjoy.

Schools interested in participating can download materials from the website www.canegrowers.com.au
The paddock to plate movie is now available on www.youtube.com.au/canegrowers

Media comment:             Matt Kealley  |  CANEGROWERS Environment Manager  |  0407 657 779
More information:          Suzi Moore  |  CANEGROWERS Communications  |  0427 641 239 or 07 3864 6444