Wednesday, 01 November 2023 09:42

Farm closure

Written by Milking It

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OPINION: At a time when some people are working to narrow the rural-urban divide, one Canterbury school is closing its farm.

Rangiora High School is exploring opportunities to make its farm relevant in the 21st century, according to its board of trustees. The board is excited about moving away from "a more traditional farm to an outdoor lab or outdoor classroom".

A review of the farm's future means the future of animals at the school was under consideration. Options included moving from rearing lambs to fattening stock, or moving away from animals altogether.

The world is shifting to be more sustainable and shifting away from meat, so we need to prepare our students, says the school. Really? One would have thought that with 80% of students from urban areas, the farm would be an opportunity for the school to narrow the rural-urban divide and show what sustainable farming in NZ really is.

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