The Cows for Schools Program has been successful in sharing the Pastoral industries love for agriculture with school age children for many years now.

The program was first established by the Centralian Beef Breeders Associaton (CBBA) for the Alice Springs Show to grow their awareness of agriculture in the region. In 2017 the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Associaton was proud to partner with the CBBA to bring it to a wider audience at the Tennant Creek, Katherine and Royal Darwin Shows also. The competion is designed as a fun and hands-on way for students, teachers and pastoralists to connect, collaborate and communicate to identify Agriculture’s contribution to their local community, both socially and econnomically. Ensuring everyone has access to safe, affordable and healthy food every day. The Cows for Schools competion sees students reearch a theme provided by the NTCA, through the lens of Agirculture. This years theme will focus on Biosecurity. Now more than ever the threat of contagious diseases and noxious weed are at the forefronts of producers' minds. And it is important for the towns around us to have an understanding of their potential impact on farming operations. Producers are proud to be able to deliver fresh, healthy, clean and readily available products to Australians, so it is important everyone knows how to be biosecurity safe.

Students will:
1. Meet with Young Pastoral Champions to learn about the Pastoral Industry within their region:
   a) School visits and presentations, sharing of educational resources.
   b) “Pastoralist in the Class” – virtual tour of an operating pastoral property and Q&A session with the Station Crew to learn about all the jobs and tasks involved in working on a Station.
   c) Provide information resources.
2. Design and create an art display on both sides of a two-dimensional wooden cow (provided), showcasing their interpterion of the theme, to display at the local show. 

Now in its 5th year Cows for Schools Competion has reached over 1,000 primary students across the Northern Territory and has seen some seriously amazing results. Winners from previous years have been showcased in locations across the NT including Government House, with her Honour the Administrator for the NT wanting to keep one for personal art collection in 2021!

The Cows for School Competion aims to inspire young Territorians to investigate and reflect on the NT Agricultural Industry. The competion also encourages students and teachers to be part of the solution to overcoming these challenges by sharing ideas on how to tackle challenges as individuals and as a community.

Shows:
Alice Springs 7th and 8th
Tennant Creek 14th
Katherine 21st and 22nd
Royal Darwin 27th, 28th and 29th

Email Shannan Hayes-White at eheo@ntca.org.au to express your classes or schools interest in participating in this awesome project!