SCHOOL PRODUCE COMPETITION TEACHER S MANUAL

SCHOOL PRODUCE COMPETITION TEACHER S MANUAL 12-23 April 2019 Sydney Showground Sydney Olympic Park www.rasnsw.com.au

CONTENTS INVITATION... 1 WHAT THE COMPETITION ACHIEVES... 1 THE COMPETITION TIMELINE... 2 THE COMPETITION JUDGING TIMETABLE... 2 COMPETITION SCHEDULE... 3 VERTICAL GARDEN METROPOLITAN PRIMARY SCHOOL... 3 VERTICAL GARDEN METROPOLITAN SECONDARY SCHOOL... 3 ANY GARDEN TYPES METROPOLITAN PRIMARY SCHOOL... 3 ANY GARDEN TYPES METROPOLITAN SECONDARY SCHOOL... 4 ANY GARDEN TYPES REGIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL... 4 ANY GARDEN TYPES REGIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL... 4 THE COMPETITION AWARDS... 5 USING THE COMPETITION FOR LEARNING... 6-7 PRODUCE JUDGING CRITERIA... 8 COMPETITION PROJECT MARKING RUBRIC... 9 INSTALLING A VERTICAL GARDEN... 10 GETTING STARTED... 10 PICKING YOUR SPOT... 10 ASSEMBLING YOUR VERTICAL GARDEN... 11-12 MAKING A SEED RAISING MIX... 12 COMPETITION SAMPLE DATA COLLECTION... 13

1 SCHOOL PRODUCE COMPETITION TEACHERS MANUAL INVITATION The Flower & Garden Committee of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW is pleased to invite all NSW schools to participate in the 2019 Sydney Royal School Produce Competition. This Competition is proudly sponsored by Mr Fothergill s Seeds and the Nursery & Gardens Industry, NSW and ACT Ltd (NGINA). The Competition is open to all schools with an interest in gardening and is intended to give students engagement within the horticulture industry, plus the opportunity to compete in the pursuit of agricultural excellence. WHAT THE COMPETITION ACHIEVES This competition will take place at your school in the lead up to the 2019 Sydney Royal Easter Show and will: Give students a insight into horticulture, cultivation and growing produce Assist in giving students a practical, hands-on insight to future employment opportunities within the industry Provide students with the opportunity to compete at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, in particular, schools with limited space and those engaging in gardening and horticultural production Engage Metropolitan schools by providing a garden system suited for small areas Support schools to meet curriculum requirements in agriculture and horticulture Facilitate interaction between regional schools and local Agricultural Societies Council of NSW LTD (ASC) deemed agricultural shows. To participate in the Sydney Royal School Produce Competition at 2019 Sydney Royal Easter Show please enter via the website by Friday 24 August 2018. The Competition is FREE to enter and all vertical gardens will be provided by NGINA. Should you have any questions regarding the Competition, please contact the Flower & Garden Section on (02) 9704 1270 or email flowergarden@rasnsw.com.au

COMPETITION TIMELINE 1 2 3 SCHOOL ENTRIES CLOSE Friday 24 August 2018 Entry Forms on RAS Website www.rasnsw.com.au/flowergarden METROPOLITAN Schools receive FREE Vertical Garden from NGINA Term 4 2018 REGIONAL Schools are contacted by the Agricultral Societies Council of NSW to confirm the regional qualifying Show. GARDENS are prepared and maintained by students at School REGIONAL Schools will compete at their confirmed regional qualifying Show. 4 5 METROPOLITAN & qualifying REGIONAL: PROJECT COMPONENT DUE Friday 5 April 2019. METROPOLITAN Schools will compete at the Sydney Royal Flower & Garden Show BUMP IN: Schools organise transport of exhibits to Sydney Showground 6 JUDGING at Sydney Royal Easter Show Friday 12 April 2019 THE COMPETITION JUDGING TIMETABLE Competition Component Due Date Judging Date Project Component Submission Due Friday 5 April 2019 Friday 5 April 2019 Produce Component Metropolitan: Between 10.30pm on 12 April and 7.30am 13 April 2019. Friday 12 April 2019 Regional: As per ASC of NSW confirmed regional Show instruction.

3 SCHOOL PRODUCE COMPETITION TEACHERS MANUAL THE COMPETITION SCHEDULE The 2019 Sydney Royal School Produce Competition will run as a trial at your school before the 2019 Sydney Royal Easter Show and culminate at the Show by exhibiting your produce. Competing Metropolitan Schools will receive a vertical garden that will be dispatched to your school during Term 4, 2018. The Flower & Garden Coordinator will contact you with further dispatch details closer to the date. Metropolitan schools are recognised as those in the ASC of NSW Group 4, inclusive of Greater Sydney Area. Competing Regional Schools will be contacted by the Agricultural Societies Council (ASC) of NSW School Produce Competition coordinator and be directed to exhibit against other schools in your group at an ASC deemed agricultural show. Regional Schools Regional Schools are recognised as those in the ASC of NSW Group 1-3 and 5-14. Entry is by submitting PRODUCE at an ASC deemed local agricultural show. Winners at a local level of classes 154 and 155, will qualify to enter the PROJECT online before 5 April 2019 for State Finals to be judged at 2019 Sydney Royal Easter Show. Metropolitan Primary - Vertical Garden. Multiple entries permitted per school (i.e. class groups). Two components: 1. Grown component: Box or basket (not exceeding 500mm square) of produce from a Metropolitan Primary school garden, comprising of five different types of fruit, vegetables or herbs. Minimum ONE (1) piece of produce MUST be grown in the FREE Nursery & Gardens Industry NSW & ACT Ltd (NGINA) Vertical Garden. Judging: quality of produce (40%), presentation of box or basket (20%) 2. Project component (submitted online by 5 April 2019): PowerPoint Presentation (min. 5 - max. 10 slides) detailing how students prepare, grow and maintain the vertical garden, with emphasis on sustainability, to prepare for harvest of produce. Judging: quality of PowerPoint - refer to rubric (40%). Each entry must supply 1 x laminated A5 (max) card with school name. Prizes 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd ribbons Metropolitan Secondary Vertical Garden. Multiple entries permitted per school (i.e. class groups). Two components: 1. Grown component: Box or basket (not exceeding 500mm square) of produce from a Metropolitan Secondary school garden, comprising of five different types of fruit, vegetables or herbs. Minimum ONE (1) piece of produce MUST be grown in the FREE Nursery & Gardens Industry NSW & ACT Ltd (NGINA) Vertical Garden. Judging: quality of produce (40%), presentation of box or basket (20%) 2. Project component (submitted online by 5 April 2019): PowerPoint Presentation (min. 15 - max. 20 slides) detailing how students use sustainable techniques to prepare, grow and maintain the vertical garden to prepare for harvest of produce. Judging: quality of PowerPoint refer to rubric (40%). Each entry must supply 1 x laminated A5 (max) card with school name. Prizes 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd ribbons Metropolitan Primary Any Garden Types. Multiple entries permitted per school (i.e. class groups). Two Components: 1. Grown component: Box or basket (not exceeding 500mm square) of produce from a Metropolitan Primary school garden, comprising of five different types of fruit, vegetables or herbs. Judging: quality of produce (40%), presentation of box or basket (20%) 2. Project component (submitted online 5 April 2019): PowerPoint Presentation (min. 5 - max. 10 slides) detailing how students prepare, grow and maintain the garden, with emphasis on sustainability, to prepare for harvest of produce. Judging: quality of PowerPoint refer to rubric (40%). Each entry must supply 1 x laminated A5 (max) card with school name. Prizes 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd ribbons

Metropolitan Secondary Any Garden Types. Multiple entries permitted per school (i.e. class groups). Two components: 1. Grown component: Box or basket (not exceeding 500mm square) of produce from a Metropolitan Secondary school garden, comprising of five different types of fruit, vegetables or herbs. Judging: quality of produce (40%), presentation of box or basket (20%) 2. Project component (submitted online by 5 April 2019): PowerPoint Presentation (min. 15 - max. 20 slides) detailing how students use sustainable techniques to prepare, grow and maintain the garden to prepare for harvest of produce. Judging: quality of PowerPoint - refer to rubric (40%). Each entry must supply 1 x laminated A5 (max) card with school name. Prizes 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd ribbons Regional Primary Any Garden Types. Multiple entries are permitted per school (i.e. class groups). Two components: 1. Grown component: Box or basket (not exceeding 500mm square) of produce from a Regional Primary school garden, comprising of five different types of fruit, vegetables or herbs. Judging: quality of produce (40%), presentation of box or basket (20%). Submitted for judging ONLY at and ASC deemed local Agricultural Show. 2. Project component (submitted online by 5 April 2019): PowerPoint Presentation (min. 5 - max. 10 slides) detailing how students prepare, grow and maintain the garden, with emphasis on sustainability, to prepare for harvest of produce. Judging: quality of PowerPoint - refer to rubric (40%). ONLY winning produce at an ASC local deemed Agricultural Show require projects to be submitted to Sydney Royal Easter Show. Prizes 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd ribbons Regional Secondary Any Garden Types. Multiple entries permitted per school (i.e. class groups). Two components: 1. Grown component: box or basket (not exceeding 500mm square) of produce from a Regional Secondary school garden, comprising of five different types of fruit, vegetables or herbs. Submitted for judging ONLY at an ASC deemed local Agricultural Show. Judging: quality of produce (40%), presentation of box or basket (20%). 2. Project component (submitted online 5 April 2019): PowerPoint Presentation (min. 15 - max. 20 slides) detailing how students use sustainability techniques to prepare, grow and maintain the garden to prepare for harvest of produce. Judging: quality of PowerPoint - refer to rubric (40%). ONLY winning produce at an ASC local deemed Agricultural Show require projects to be submitted to Sydney Royal Easter Show. Prizes 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd ribbons

5 SCHOOL PRODUCE COMPETITION TEACHERS MANUAL THE COMPETITION AWARDS The results of the Sydney Royal Produce Competition will be announced at the 2019 Sydney Royal Schools Competitions Presentation. Awards include: Metropolitan Primary - Vertical Garden Prize Cards awarded to 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Prize Ribbons awarded for 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Product Prize, supported by Mr Fothergill s Seeds Pty Ltd ($50) All Competitors will receive a Certificate of Participation. Metropolitan Secondary Vertical Garden Prize Cards awarded to 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Prize Ribbons awarded for 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Product Prize, supported by Mr Fothergill s Seeds Pty Ltd ($50) All Competitors will receive a Certificate of Participation. Metropolitan Primary Any Garden Types. Prize Cards awarded to 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Prize Ribbons awarded for 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Product Prize, supported by Mr Fothergill s Seeds Pty Ltd ($50) All Competitors will receive a Certificate of Participation. Metropolitan Secondary Any Garden Types. Prize Cards awarded to 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Prize Ribbons awarded for 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Product Prize, supported by Mr Fothergill s Seeds Pty Ltd ($50) All Competitors will receive a Certificate of Participation. Regional Primary Any Garden Types. PRODUCE: prizes awarded as per local show schedule PROJECT: Prize Cards awarded to 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Prize Ribbons awarded for 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Product Prize, supported by Mr Fothergill s Seeds Pty Ltd ($50) TBC All Competitors will receive a Certificate of Participation. Regional Secondary Any Garden Types. PRODUCE: prizes awarded as per local show schedule PROJECT: Prize Cards awarded to 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Prize Ribbons awarded for 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd. Product Prize, supported by Mr Fothergill s Seeds Pty Ltd ($50) TBC All Competitors will receive a Certificate of Participation.

USING THE COMPETITION FOR LEARNING The 2018 Sydney Royal School Produce Competition has been developed as a scientific trial investigating the management of gardens for production and sustainability. Completing the trial with your students can cover a number of curriculum areas supporting a produce unit of work. NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum Science K-10 Syllabus Early Stage 1 Skills STe-4WS A student explores their immediate surroundings by questioning, observing Knowledge and Understanding Stage 1 Skills Knowledge and Understanding Stage 2 Skills Knowledge and Understanding Stage 3 Skills Knowledge and Understanding Stage 4 Skills Knowledge and Understanding using their senses and communicating to share their observations and ideas. STe-8NE A student identifies the basic needs of living things. ST1-4WS A student investigates questions and predictions by collecting and recording data, sharing and reflecting on their experiences and comparing what they and others know. ST1-10LW A student describes external features, changes in and growth of living things. ST2-4WS A student investigates their questions and predictions by analysing collected data suggesting explanations for their findings, and communicating and reflecting on the processes undertaken. ST2-10LW A student describes that living things have life cycles, can be distinguished from non-living things and grouped, based on their observable features. ST3-4WS A student investigates by posing questions, including testable questions, making predictions and gathering data to draw evidence-based conclusions and develop explanation. ST3-11LW A student describes some physical conditions of the environment and how these affect the growth and survival of living things. SC4-6WS A students follows a sequence of instructions to safely undertake a range of investigation types, collaboratively and individually. SC4-7WS A student processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions. SC4-9WS A student presents science ideas, findings and information to a given audience using appropriate scientific language, text types and representations. SC4-14LW A student relates the structure and function of living things to their classification, survival and reproduction.

7 SCHOOL PRODUCE COMPETITION TEACHERS MANUAL Stage 5 Skills Knowledge and Understanding SC5-6WS A student undertakes first-hand investigations to collect valid and reliable data and information, individually and collaboratively. SC5-7WS A student processes, analyses and evaluates data from first-hand investigations and secondary sources to develop evidence based arguments and conclusions. SC5-9WS A student present science ideas and evidence for a particular purpose and to a specific audience, using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations. SC5-14LW A student analyses interactions between components and processes within biological systems. NSW Education Standards Authority (Board of Studies) Agricultural Technology Years 7-10 Syllabus Stage 4 4.2.1 A student identifies and explains interactions between the agricultural sector and Australia s economy, culture and society 4.4.3 A student implements and appreciates the application of animal welfare guidelines to agricultural practices 4.5.1 A student performs controlled experiments in agricultural contexts 4.5.2 A student communicates experimental data using a range of information and communication technologies 4.6.2 A student performs plant and animal management practices safely in cooperation with others Progression: 4.3.4 A student identifies and uses skills to manage the interactions within animal production enterprises Stage 5 5.3.1 A student investigates and implements responsible production systems for plant and animal enterprises 5.4.3 A student implements and justifies the application of animal welfare guidelines to agricultural practices 5.5.2 A student collects and analyses agricultural data and communicates results using a range of technologies 5.6.2 A student performs plant and animal management practices safely and in cooperation with others Progression: 5.3.4 A student explains and evaluates the impact of management decisions on animal production enterprises NSW Education Standards Authority Technology Mandatory Years 7-8 Syllabus (2017) - Agriculture and Food Technologies Outcomes Identifying and Defining Researching and Planning TE4-5AG A student investigates how food and fibre are produced in managed environments Students investigate how food and fibre production is managed in environments as a system and how sustainability can be improved, for example: - Plants and/or animal species grown in managed environments Students investigate ideal conditions for growth and development of an agricultural plant or animal

PRODUCE JUDGING CRITERIA Produce Judging Criteria Criteria Score Guidelines /10 Guidelines /20 Conformation and Disease Status /20 Low Performing Score 0-4 Maturity /10 Average Performing Variety of Produce Presentation /10 /20 Score 5-7 High Performing Score 8-10 Total /60 Low Performing Score 0-10 Average Performing Score 10-15 High Performing Score 16-20 CONFORMATION Produce is judged on how well they are formed, their colouring and their cleanliness. There should be no malformations of the produce, as well as no areas of discolouration. Produce will also be assessed to ensure there is no incidence of disease or pests. MATURITY Produce will be assessed to ensure they have reached maximum growth and have been harvested at optimal maturity. VARIETY OF PRODUCE Produce display should include AT LEAST 5 different species/varieties. This can include: fruits, vegetables and herbs. PRESENTATION The produce display must allow visual comparison between each produce type, be themed, wellstructured and attractive for judges and spectators.

9 SCHOOL PRODUCE COMPETITION TEACHERS MANUAL COMPETITION PROJECT MARKING RUBRIC Criteria Category Beginning Developing Proficient Excellent Score: /5 /10 /15 Content School Garden 30% Content Industry 20% Organisation of Growth Data 30% Media 15% Formatting 5% 1 1-2 1-3 The content demonstrates little summary of the produce growing phase. This includes: - Garden Preparation Maintenance Growth - Sustainability The content shows little inclusion of Australian Produce research and discussion. Including: - Production in Australia - Production Types Data is not included. Incorrect media (eg: Microsoft Word). No/little use of images and/or multimedia. The overall project has limited structure and is poorly formatted. 2 3-5 6-10 The content demonstrates a basic summary of the produce growing phase. This includes: - Garden Preparation Maintenance Growth - Sustainability The content shows a basic attempt to include Australian Produce research and discussion. Including: - Production in Australia - Production Types Data collection has been attempted and included in the project. Basic use of media (eg: Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynote). No/little use of images and/or multimedia. The overall project has basic structure, with some formatting mistakes. 3-4 6-8 11-13 The content includes good summarisation of the produce growing phase. This includes: - Garden Preparation Maintenance Growth - Sustainability The content shows good inclusion of Australian Produce research and discussion. Including: - Production in Australia - Production Types Good use of collected data, includes a table. Good use of appropriate media (eg: Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynote). Includes some images and/or multimedia. The overall project is mostly structured, with minimal formatting mistakes. 5 9-10 14-15 The content includes an excellent summary of the produce growing phase. This includes: - Garden Preparation Maintenance Growth - Sustainability The content shows excellent inclusion of Australian Produce research and discussion. Including: - Production in Australia - Production Types Excellent data collection and organisation such as tables, graphs and /or charts. Advanced use of appropriate media (eg: Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynote). Includes supporting images and/or multimedia. The overall project is well structured, with appropriate formatting. Score /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 Total /40

INSTALLING A VERTICAL GARDEN GETTING STARTED What you ll need: The Bin Fen Green Wall system kits Potting mix for your plants Water crystals to add to potting mix Plants (seedlings/plantlets) (as per competition list) Fertiliser (controlled release e.g. Osmocote, Nutricote etc) or liquid fertiliser. Appropriate hardware/tools (drill/screws/wall plugs etc) to attach kit to wall Suitable location for your Vertical Garden PICKING YOUR SPOT Find a location that is suitable to match with plant needs. Plants usually require a place with a minimum of 6-8hrs sunlight per day, Have access to water and drainage and be located in a secure location to prevent any vandalism. This can be a permanent or mobile location. Remember - a Vertical Garden fully constructed with potting mix and plants will have a reasonable amount of weight, so it is important to attach to the wall correctly. For each unit there will be approximately 20ltrs of wet potting mix, an irrigation pipe with water (if installed)and possibly up to 10kgs of plant material when fully planted. Please ensure you use appropriate fasteners, you will need to supply your own pack of galvanised or stainless steel screws (38mm) dependent on the material it is being attached to such as: - Metal Sheet metal screws (as pictured). - Timber Wood screws. - Concrete/ Bricks Masonry screws

11 SCHOOL PRODUCE COMPETITION TEACHERS MANUAL ASSEMBLING YOUR VETRICAL GARDEN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

9. Your Vertical Garden is Complete! MAKING A SEED RAISING MIX Some plants can be grown directly from seeds in the plant growing bed. There may be times you may want to buy seedlings, as this will speed up the time you have to dedicate to the growing period. Alternatively you can start your own seedlings; this saves money and is not hard to do. When growing seedlings you need a different growing medium (soil mix). You can buy products prepared by horticultural suppliers or you can make you own. A good seed raising mix can be equal parts of peat moss, sand, perlite and vermiculite. The idea of a seed raising medium is that it s friable (crumbles easily). This is very important at the transplanting stage. When trying to remove plants from the seed raising mix, you want the whole plant and ALL the roots to disengage from the soil easily; this will minimise root damage and optimise plant survival in the new plant bed. Some common soil deficiencies seen in plants: Low nitrogen levels can present as yellowing of the leaves, stunted growth and leaves may fall Low phosphorus is displayed by poor growth and can have a blue/green/purple hue Low potassium in leaves may be seen as spots surrounded by pale zones You can buy simple soil test kits at your local hardware. To rectify a soil deficiency you can get fertilisers that are specific such as urea that is nitrogen only; or Muriate of potash that largely contains potassium. But most soils require a good balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to optimise plant growth and there are many products on the market. Most animal manures are nitrogen heavy, so if you are going organic, you need to consider how your plants will obtain all its nutrients if deficiencies present themselves.

13 SCHOOL PRODUCE COMPETITION TEACHERS MANUAL COMPETITION SAMPLE DATA COLLECTION Date of Planting: No. of seeds/seedling planted: Growing mediums used: Fertilisers or additives used: Chemicals Used: Planting Data and Details Date Week 1: / /2018 Week 2: / /2018 Week 3: / /201 Week 4: / /201 Week 5: / /201 CONT Week _: / /201 Seeds Sprouting/ Growth Details Trial Data and Details Management Details (i.e.: watering, pesticides applied etc.) Climate Conditions (rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind, etc.)