10. Education

Skills, knowledge and information must be accessible to all. Education about the realities of rural life and farming is lacking throughout the community, particularly in the school system and urban areas. Rural isolation is also an increasing social problem. Measures to tackle both issues could be mutually beneficial and promote the Agri-Aware scheme. The culture of rural life needs to be rediscovered and celebrated.

Agriculture and environment curricula in national and secondary schools need to be developed urgently. These should have a broad outlook covering production, processing and preparation of foods, and dietary needs with local and global perspectives. With that in mind, the Leaving Certificate curriculum for Agriculture needs to revised to emphasise responsibility for the environment and sustainability. Every school should have a vegetable garden where pupils are taught to grow their own food. The success of initiatives like the StreamScapes project (launched by Coomhola Salmon Trust, Bantry, Co.Cork) must be built on.

Practical courses in environmentally friendly farming should be created and available to all. Teachers must be knowledgeable, enthusiastic and positive.

Tours to farms, discussion groups, lectures, visits to horticultural operations and research farms need to be programmed by Teagasc and other agencies. Schoolchildren should be encouraged to take part.

Farmers may also wish to update their knowledge, particularly in the realm of environmental impact and alternative energy. Funding could be made available to local community initiatives that are able to put this in place.

The most important job will be to educate and train Department of Agriculture officials and other government agencies to see the bigger picture ecologically and socio-economically, and to address sustainability. They will have to move away from the belief that ?big is always best? towards ?small is often beautiful?!