Amstetten: Bringing agriculture closer to agriculture

Amstetten: Bringing agriculture closer to agriculture

DISTRICT.For 25 years, the “School at the farm” project for school classes and kindergartens has been opening its doors to bring young people closer to life on a farm. In this unique initiative, children are not only prepared for country life, but also get a deep insight into the origin of our food.

One of the role models in this movement is the Amstettner Michaela Pfaffeder, who has been trying to convey a positive picture of agriculture to the students since 2015. "It is important to me that children and adolescents learn to understand and appreciate agriculture. The awareness of the origin and value of our food must be encouraged from an early age," explains Pfaffeder.

Insights and experiences in the yard

Visitors have the opportunity to experience everyday life on a typical Mostviertler Vierkanthof. There are numerous programs in this adventure farm that are specially tailored to the needs of young people. "From feeding the animals to trying dairy products, the children can experience everything up close. We make nature and agriculture to school," says Pfaffeder enthusiastically.

A particularly exciting offer is the “Food detectives” program, where children learn playfully how they can check the quality and origin of food. You will find out what the AMA seal of approval, organic seal or the information on food labels means. "The children bring their own shopping baskets and we go together on a journey of discovery," she explains the idea behind this program.

A central goal of the project is to raise awareness of the environment and agriculture. "The moments are particularly touching when the children feel the size of a cow or the weight of a milking can for the first time," reports Pfaffeder. Children should not only watch, but actively help shape by harvesting and preparing their own fruit and vegetables.

Pfaffeder is planning additional training in the "One Health" area for the coming year. In doing so, she will deal with the systematic contexts between the farm, climate and health. "These topics are of great importance for future agriculture. I would like to bring the children even more knowledge about ecological relationships," she explains.

Michaela Pfaffeder shows how important it is to introduce the younger generation to the world of agriculture. Your initiative not only bring closer to children of the beauty of nature and the importance of agriculture, but also to promote their understanding of food, is a step in the right direction for an environmentally conscious future. The dates for visiting options and programs are already available from the end of April/beginning of May. More information can be found on the initiative's website, which promises many exciting workshops and experiences that children and adolescents will not forget so quickly.