Potatoes and onions take over high school classrooms

Australian high school students will soon have access to engaging, curriculum-aligned resources that put vegetables at the heart of learning. Designed to increase awareness among younger generations people about Australian produce, the people behind it and the pathways to farming careers - the project will share a new suite of lessons and teacher guides that span subjects and include an immersive virtual farm tour experience.  

Funded by Hort Innovation and delivered by Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA), the project responds to a growing disconnect between young people and food production systems. By integrating horticultural content into Years 7–10 lesson plans, the initiative aims to strengthen understanding of where food comes from and promote the innovation and careers that are helping to keep it sustainable across approximately 3,000 schools.  

Building on the success of the onion industry’s Phenomenom program for primary schools (VN20008), this investment expands the focus to high school students. The resources will cover multiple subjects and year levels, ensuring broad reach and relevance. Complementing these materials will be a virtual farm tour, giving students an interactive look at how potatoes and onions are grown and produced - bringing the farm to the classroom in a way that resonates with today’s tech-savvy learners. 

Anthony Kachenko, General Manager of Production and Sustainability R&D at Hort Innovation explained further: “Connecting young Australians with the story of their food is critical for the future of horticulture. These resources will not only make learning fun and engaging but also help students understand the career and innovation opportunities that are available to them, encouraging the next generation of industry.” 

Luciano Mesiti, CEO of PIEFA, said: "This project helps teachers make learning about food real and relatable, showing students how familiar foods like potatoes and onions are grown, and the people and careers behind them. Drawing on PIEFA’s education expertise, we’re delighted to be partnering with Hort Innovation again to develop engaging, curriculum-aligned resources and virtual farm experiences that showcase the scale, innovation and importance of Australia’s horticulture industry."  

By combining curriculum-aligned content with immersive technology, this project will help bridge the gap between students and the food they eat - creating informed young Australians and inspiring future leaders for the Australian horticulture industry. 

This project (MT24021) is funded by Hort Innovation, using the fresh potato, processing potato and onion research and development levies and contributions from the Australian Government.