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Barker College Receives $3,500 Environmental Grant from the NSW Government

State Member for Hornsby, Matt Kean MP, today presented Hornsby-based school, Barker College, with a $3,500 grant that will go towards a school agriculture project aimed at overcoming land degradation issues through soilless food production.

The grant was approved by the NSW Environmental Trust that was established by the NSW Government in 1998 to fund a broad range of organisations to undertake projects that enhance the environment of NSW.

The agriculture program, known as 'Food Gardens in Schools', will require students to source, build and operate a soilless growing environment for food production using a hydroponic setup. Equipment is needed to construct the setup, which will give students an alternative production technique for food and allow them to implement and improve sustainability in their food units.

'This grant will significantly contribute to Barker's agriculture program and student learning', Mr Kean said.

'Research indicates that the world is experiencing an increase in soil degradation and decrease in arable land. Therefore, it is important that students gain an understanding of the different ways in which these issues can be addressed'.

Barker College Agriculture Teacher, Mr Scott Graham, said that the grant will broaden students' understanding of agriculture issues.

'The grant will allow us to give students a first-hand experience in the design, building and operation of a working hydroponics set-up', Mr Graham said.

'The grant will provide the opportunity for students to research and implement strategies to overcome increasing soil degradation in Australia'.

'This grant will allow students to experiment and refine methods of intensive food production, as we confront the challenge of feeding an increasing global population with a decreasing area of arable land'.