School soil project a winner

• Ringarooma students back L-R: Oaklea Nailer, Tayla Smith, Maddy Fletcher, Amelia Carter, Mrs Tash Evans and front: Mollly Forsyth, Mayah Berwick. Absent:Bailey Smith.

By Taylor Clyne
December 7, 2022

Seven future focused students from the Ringarooma Primary School put their brains together and got their hands dirty all in the name of the environment last week.

They participated in the Healthy Soils School Competition as part of Soil Week which runs from December 5-12 across the nation.

Under the guidance of teacher Natasha Evans, the students produced a news styled video report interviewing guest experts and fellow classmates on the importance of sustainable farming.

Bev Middleton from Soil Week Australia said their work was both compelling and informative.

“It was highly entertaining and also contained research and experiments. 

“Their presentation was researched, full of great information, very engaging and they   were obviously having fun. I loved the use of a garden trowel as a microphone.”

Mrs Evans said they chose to participate in the competition to explore the importance of healthy soil and plant growth, to generate an abundance of vegetables in the school garden and at home. 

“We want to encourage the next generation of farmers to use environmentally sustainable farming habits which could be used on broad acreage or a back yard garden,” she said.

Their video entry was judged by well known regenerative farmers all over the country against other schools across Australia.

Ms Middleton said the judges were impressed by the quality of the research and presentation of the work submitted by the students at Ringarooma Primary School.

“It was very difficult for the judges to select winners and Ringarooma Primary School received runner up in the primary school division, winning a $100 voucher.”

The Soil Week Australia school’s competition is generously sponsored by retired Wimmera farmer Calvin Muller and Microstart Biological farming solutions.