By Natalie Gallenti
KEILOR organic farmer Steve Skopilianos is taking young children’s food education a step further.
The owner of Ladybird Organics in the Keilor Valley is providing the next generation with an opportunity to learn about the importance of eating properly through the adopt-a-farmer program.
Mr Skopilianos, who has been “adopted” by Coburg Primary School, said he was always stunned at the hunger and thirst for knowledge students displayed after taking a tour of his farm.
“I didn’t think children would be so interested in it,” he said.
“The complex and good questions that the kids come up with are amazing.
“It’s all about kids reconnecting with rural industry. They all say this is the best excursion they’ve been on.”
He said it was imperative to educate the next generation of consumers on what they should be eating.
“Instead of French fries, it should be punnets of strawberries.
“These children are now asking their parents to buy organic fruit and vegetables.”
While the passionate farmer said it was unrealistic to believe the entire community would consume organic products, he hoped consumption would at least increase in the coming years.
“It’s where we came from. It’s not the way of the future; it’s the way of the past.
“We need to look after our health and the environment.”
