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As schools wind down for the year, we’re pleased to bring you the December edition of PIEFA’s newsletter — a month full of momentum and meaningful activity across food and fibre education.
We wrap up our National Ag Day program, spotlight new opportunities, and share updates from across our member and partner network, including the release of the National Schools Food and Fibre Education Strategy and the announcement of Grace Collins as the 2025 National Rural Ambassador!
We’re also inviting schools to join PIEFA’s free School Member Program and encouraging educators to make the most of flexible end-of-year learning options through Primezone and Primezone Academy.
Thank you for your continued support throughout 2025! We look forward to an energising year ahead as we work together to strengthen food and fibre education across Australia. We wish you a safe and happy festive season - and our next newsletter will come out in February 2026.
Luciano Mesiti
CEO | PIEFA
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Send us your news!
If you would like to submit a news item for the next edition, please email office@piefa.edu.au.
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NATIONAL SCHOOLS FOOD & FIBRE EDUCATION STRATEGY
The newly released National Schools Food and Fibre Education Strategy sets a shared vision for strengthening food and fibre education across Australia, with a focus on collaboration, curriculum alignment, and long-term impact. The Strategy highlights the importance of high-quality classroom resources, stronger school–industry connections, and national coordination to help students and educators better understand Australia’s modern food and fibre sector.
As the national peak body for food and fibre education, PIEFA welcomes the Strategy’s findings. We are pleased to see many priority areas align closely with our existing work—including curriculum-linked resources, teacher professional learning, and career education via our platforms and initiatives.
PIEFA looks forward to enhancing our programs and contributing to stronger national coordination as the Strategy moves into its implementation phase.
ACCESS THE REPORT HERE
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PIEFA’s Ag Day program brought together classrooms around Australia to explore food and fibre through our curriculum-linked resources. Teachers can still download the Ag Day materials, access the PD recording, and School Members are encouraged to complete the surveys to receive their exclusive Ag Day Teacher Pack before December 12!
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PIEFA was proud to take part in Cattle Connect 2025 in Dalby last month, with CEO Luciano, joining a panel on the importance of agriculture in education. The event was a valuable opportunity to reconnect with industry stakeholders and discuss priorities shaping Australia’s cattle sector. (Photo credit: Cattle Connect)
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PIEFA was pleased to support Meat & Livestock Australia in delivering an immersive Australian Good Meat Education experience for SA secondary ag teachers. The program featured field tours, PD and MLA Updates activities, helping equip teachers with real-world industry insights to inspire the next generation of red meat and livestock leaders.
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PIEFA is proud to recognise our AIA intern Jordan Norman - recently named one of SA’s “25 Next Gen driving agriculture”! Now in his third year of Animal Science, Jordan helped deliver the AIA National Student Compendium and presented its development at the APEN Conference, showcasing his passion for inspiring future ag leaders. Find out more.
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In November, PIEFA partnered with CANEGROWERS to deliver hands-on teacher PD at Ferny Grove SHS and Emmaus College. The sessions provided real-world insights into Queensland’s sugarcane industry, helping teachers strengthen curriculum links and inspire students to explore future careers in food and fibre.
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Grace Collins has been named the 2025 National Rural Ambassador by Agricultural Shows Australia. A passionate future ag educator, PIEFA looks forward to working with Grace as she champions agricultural education nationally, helping teachers feel confident delivering food and fibre content. Congratulations, Grace!
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The 2025 Picasso Cows program showcased outstanding student creativity. Congratulations to Bexhill Public School (overall winner), Nuwarra Public School (best learning journal) and Wahroonga Adventist School (best cow design). Thanks to the Gardiner Foundation for their support. Express interest for the 2026 program and inspire future dairy advocates!
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Join PIEFA’s Free School Member Program! We’re inviting schools across Australia to join PIEFA’s free School Member Program, connecting classrooms with quality food and fibre education. Members receive early access to resources, exclusive professional learning, and tailored updates to support teaching and learning.💡 Join today: piefa.edu.au/school-members
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Planning for 2026? Start with ForestLearning’s top resources of this year! 🏆 These resources feature hands-on, multi-modal learning with a foundation in real-world, guided theory on material evaluation and sustainable forest management. Download these, plus even more STEM, design, and agriculture resources free at forestlearning.edu.au 🌳
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Need engaging end-of-year learning? Primezone Academy’s free online eCourses are a great way to keep students exploring food and fibre—whether in class, during quiet weeks, or from home. Interactive, curriculum-linked, and ready anytime.
https://primezoneacademy.edu.au
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Australian Eggs have released an extended version of their Virtual Egg Industry Careers Tour, featuring 5 new videos showcasing additional roles within the egg industry. Students get a taste of what it is like to work on an egg farm and the reasons farmers love coming to work each day.
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AgCareerstart Applications are now open! If you’re aged 18–25, AgCareerstart offers a unique paid gap-year experience in agriculture. Participants are matched with a host farmer based on their interests and skills and receive a full-time paid role, a $3,000 training and engagement bursary, industry event participation, a dedicated support team and a national peer network. Learn more and apply now.
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The AGcessibility Scholarship supports first-year agriculture students at Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga). Valued at $15,000, the program offers 10 scholarships annually for students from regional, remote, First Nations and low socio-economic backgrounds. Eligible degrees include Agriculture, Agribusiness, Viticulture and Wine Science. Learn more via Career Harvest.
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The Ag Institute Australia National Compendium is a fantastic new free resource to help you take the next step in your agriculture career. Explore jobs, internships, conferences, training programs, networking opportunities and more – all in one place. Access it today!
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PIEFA is coordinating a Teacher PD Day at Boonah SHS in early March 2026 for QLD educators. The session will feature industry presentations, PIEFA insights, and networking with fellow teachers. Register your interest via the EOI form — full details coming in February.
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The Farms of the Future Mobile Learning Centre is touring regional NSW, delivering hands-on Agtech learning to local communities. Producers can explore interactive demonstrations, connectivity solutions, VR experiences, and receive expert guidance on practical on-farm technologies. Check when the Mobile Learning Centre is scheduled to visit your region.
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Charles Sturt University is seeking sponsors and exhibitors for the Agriculture Teachers Professional Development Conference held in Wagga Wagga, 12–14 October 2026. Partner with us to support educators and help make ag teacher PD accessible for all schools. Find out more here.
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NAAE 2026 Conference is CANCELLED. The team appreciate the interest and support shown by members and partners and understand the disappointment this may cause. NAAE remains committed to future opportunities for connection and professional development and thanks you for your understanding.
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Schools more than 120km from Sydney are now eligible for a $500 travel subsidy when visiting NSW Parliament. To access the subsidy, schools must book a tour or workshop with the Parliament education team and submit an application. Phone (02) 9230 2047 or email dps.education@parliament.nsw.gov.au. Find out more here.
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We'd love to hear about any exciting food and fibre education updates, events, programs and initiatives that are underway or coming up at your school or organisation. Reply to this newsletter and we'll do our best to promote your activities on our socials. Email us at: office@piefa.edu.au
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PIEFA gratefully acknowledges the continued support of its partners
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Thanks also to our associate members
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