Seven regional schools from Renmark to Truro have attended the first Upper Murray Young Environment Leaders forum for 2019 at Gurra Downs date plantation.
Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin education officer Cindy Kakoschke said the forum was the first of four which provided a great opportunity for the students to learn about sustainable and 100 per cent organic farming methods.
"Students heard about sustainability and what it means from a farming or food production perspective," she said.
Gurra Downs date plantation owner Dave Reilly talked to the students about how and why Gurra Downs became an organic farm and the methods of safe, healthy and local food production, including why the Reillys decided to grow dates on their property.
The students discovered how animals can be used for weed and insect control and were able to see the geese and turkeys roaming throughout the plantation on the day.
Natural Resources SAMDB education officer Danielle Packer spoke to the students about healthy locally produced food and gave some of the students their first taste of medjool dates.
The students were also shown various soil samples and discussed the importance of soils as a natural resource, and the value of healthy soils not just for food production but also for native flora.
The students undertook some practical soil sample testing and were able to determine the soil at Gurra Downs was 'sandy loam.'
Ms Kakoschke said we had some very interested students asking many questions, who we believe will now become the next generation of advocates for sustainable food production and organic farming.