Department rolls out this year’s AgriKids programmes to promote farm safety
Eva Spillane Vice Principal Firies National School, Mark Riordan - Kerry Macra Chair & Farm Safety Community Champion Kerry, Claire Dolye Principal Firies National School, Alma Jordan Founder Agrikids - Michael Healy-Rae TD, Mary O'Sullivan SNA, Irene Nagel SNA, Chris O'Leary SNA, with the children of Firies National School, Co. Kerry
With a new school year underway, AgriKids is on a renewed mission to support teachers in promoting farm safety in the classroom.
The AgriKids programmes aim to provide more accessibility to farm safety education and to make it more engaging and empowering to the younger generation.
“Farm safety is part of our school curriculum, but we understand how difficult it can be to pack everything into the school year… That is why we want to help our teachers with a farm safety programme that is not only curriculum-linked but time-conscious,” remarks AgriKids founder, Alma Jordan.
The pilot is supported by the Department of Agriculture and can help redefine how farm safety is taught in our schools by providing programme choice, age and ability-appropriate resources and encouraging the wider community to get involved.
The entry level 'Farm Safety Hour' allows teachers a succinct approach to the topic. Using the activity sheets, classroom handbooks, scheduled webinars or by inviting a speaker to class, children have the opportunity to learn and become aware of the key hazards on our farms.
The 'Farm Safety Day' option is linked to the AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador Flag programme, where schools can earn their farm safety flag after collecting three farm safety-themed pennants: ‘Farm and Field Safety; Tractor & Machinery Safety and Animal Safety & Wellbeing’.
All schools that participate in this option are also eligible to enter the AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador Awards, where prizes include cash sums for the winning schools.
“These prize funds are to be used in supporting school projects which enhance and improve their children’s learning experiences…They can be art, technology, sports, anything that creates a positive impact for the children,” explained Ms Jordan.
The programmes are being funded under the recent tender issued by the Department of Agriculture Food, calling for farm safety learning projects for young people.
Speaking about the tender, minister Michael Healy-Rae explained why younger people are being targeted: “There are many hazards on farms which can pose serious risks to unsuspecting children who see the farmyard and fields as their playground.
"Educating children about farm safety in an engaging and age-appropriate programme is critical for preventing fatal and non-fatal injuries.
"I am confident that the Farm Safety Ambassador Programme will make an important contribution to children’s safety on farms, and I am encouraging primary school boards of management, principals and teachers to avail of the opportunity to participate in this programme.”
With this tender, the AgriKids programmes officially become part of the Irish Rural Link umbrella of grassroots, community development and advocacy projects.
The merger will see AgriKids sit alongside an array of national and European development projects, all housed within IRL, such as ‘CAP Network Ireland, ‘Meals on Wheels,’ and The Breeding Waders.
Open to all primary school children, home-schooled and special schools, AgriKids will use this pilot to further enhance farm safety education by asking all who participate to complete a survey, which will be used to inform policymakers of the programme’s future developments.
To sign up or for more information, visit the AgriKids website.
