Cross-industry collaboration and hands-on learning experiences important factors in increasing vegetable intake
A Victorian vegetable grower has found giving students on-farm experienced is critical to increasing their vegetable intake.
Catherine Velisha, a third-generation grower and the managing director of Velisha Farms developed VEG Education a Registered Training Organisation which runs curriculum-aligned farm gate programmes.
After being awarded the Nuffield scholarship, Velisha used the opportunity to analyse global education programmes from the UK, the US, Ireland and Australia to understand how her own programmes could be improved and expanded.
Her research included travel throughout Australia and the US to meet with growers who shared her passion of educating the broader public.
“There is increasing evidence that while the benefits of getting in your five serves of vegetables a day are widely reported and known, people’s daily intakes are not meeting the mark,” Velisha said.
“I’ve come to realise just how vital education is for our industry. Through VEG Education and our programmes we focus on teaching young people about the benefits of vegetables, aiming to make them a more appealing choice in their diets.”
Velisha’s report reveals a growing trend of collaboration between the agricultural sector, educational institutions and local communities to help people understand food production and promote healthier eating habits.
Velisha found programmes like the National Farm to School Network (NFSN) the US and LEAF Education in the UK share common themes that are crucial to their success. These include hands-on learning experiences, integration into school curricula, use of digital platforms to expand reach, and collaboration between farmers, educators and community organisations.
“There’s great potential for grower-led education models to instil a passion and love for vegetables from an early age, hopefully getting young Aussies eating them more often, and even working in the industry,” Velisha said.
Velisha’s scholarship was funded by Hort Innovation, using the Apple and Pear, Avocado, Onion and Raspberry and Blackberry research and development levies and contributions from the Australian government.
Applications for the 2026 Nuffield scholarships have now opened. The scholarship offers farmers and those working in the agriculture industry the opportunity to pursue 15 weeks of overseas study. Applications close on Friday 16 May.
