Teaching farm methods
December 2018
The article about Cleve Area School's school-based training farm, lamb production is part of the hands-on program.
In a world where animal production is scientifically proven to be a major cause of ecosystem destruction, why are they not prioritising teaching methods such as drought-proof grain development, new high tech vertical horticulture, using hydroponic methods of water use and solar for power?
These methods of farming are proving to be far more sustainable than animal farming.
Diane Cornelius
Teaching farm methods
December 2018
The article about Cleve Area School's school-based training farm, lamb production is part of the hands-on program.
In a world where animal production is scientifically proven to be a major cause of ecosystem destruction, why are they not prioritising teaching methods such as drought-proof grain development, new high tech vertical horticulture, using hydroponic methods of water use and solar for power?
These methods of farming are proving to be far more sustainable than animal farming.
Diane Cornelius
Meat Unsustainable
May 2018
I could hardly believe what I was reading in article ”Lambs, kids and calves make it onto the Oakbank curriculum” it was so appalling.
How could anyone with any sense of duty to both students and animals support such despicable “lessons” for impressionable children?
I am a former teacher and know how this kind of treatment can affect young minds and the consequences of such actions. Some will be desensitised, leading to violence and others will be traumatised, with long-term guilt.
To have children working with, cuddling, feeding and watching these animals growing and enjoying life only to have them killed is something you would expect to see in a horror film; not in a school classroom in our country.
The comments by Kerensa Greenfield that it’s also “a really good ethics lesson” cannot be taken seriously. What is ethical about teaching children to care for an animal only to kill it?
If these children are “the generation that is going to determine the future of the world” then there is nothing “sustainable” about what they are learning.
We have to move away from meat production and animal products and move to plant based food or this world will no longer be sustainable. What these children are being taught is obsolete as well as unethical.
I am certainly referring this unacceptable conditioning of our students to the new Minister for Education, Hon. John Gardner, and will be requesting that he takes action to stop it.
Christine Pierson
Raised for slaughter
May 2018
Your article, "Lambs, kids and calves make it onto the Oakbank curriculum," raised several issues which disturb me. Quite simply, the students are being desensitized. The process of raising animals only to have them slaughtered is a destructive one for the natural sensitivity of children...children mostly love animals as living beings sharing the planet with us,
Teaching them that animals are ours to raise for slaughter is lamentable. In "reality" they learn by raising calves, meat chickens or laying hens, I pray that they will rebel; that they will speak out on behalf of the suffering poultry, forced to grow abnormally fat (meat chickens), or considered laying machines (hens).
Young people are rebelling by becoming vegan. If the Oakbank Area School really cares for their students, for their future quality of life, for "good ethics' lessons," the staff would abolish programmes like Cows Create Careers,
Poultry in School, and introduce lessons in plant based nutrition for humans.
"Sustainability for Global Populations" does not include animal husbandry, that is so wasteful of water and plant protein and a major contribution to green house emissions. It is a betrayal of trust that the calves the girls are cuddling in the photo, apparently so lovingly, will be raised by the girls for slaughter.
Small wonder there are angry, emotional and mentally disturbed teenagers in our country.
Alice Shore
The Piggery at Urrbrae Agricultural School
February 2018
I refer to the article "School defends care of its pigs. Piggies in the middle of dispute," highlights the way students who attend Urrbrae Agricultural high are taught animal husbandry, in this case for pigs.
Former student, Sophie Remin, has managed to collect over 10,000 signatures from people who are horrified to hear how these gentle animals are treated. Sophie is now studying conservation and land management and is acutely aware of unsustainable animal agriculture, and that the toxic run off from intensive factory farmed piggeries is one of the worst pollutants in the world. Urrbrae Deputy Principal, Ross Templeman claims a "proud history of introducing students to pig husbandry." and that the pigs are "safe and happy."
How can this be when they are kept in confining stalls, and when due to give birth are jammed into body-hugging farrowing crates, supposedly to protect the piglets from harm. Pigs are gentle mothers, so the babes are far more likely to be squashed in such close confinement, than in welfare friendly eco- system farms. Like me, Sophie is vegan, and knows we have absolutely no need of any animal products to be healthy and consumers are looking for kinder, healthier food.
So Urrbrae would do well to look at Tyson foods, America's largest producer of animal products, that have seen the writing on the wall, and are developing a large vegan arm of its business. Making use of arable land for crops, fruit trees and vegetables is the way for our students' sustainable future.
Diane Cornelius