First learning workshop for teachers: ‘More than manure and milk’

The event, organised as part of the BMBF-funded RealLab OH project (part of the T!Raum initiative OneHealth Region Vorpommern), offered participants the opportunity to gain specialist knowledge and practical insights into modern animal husbandry and learn about exciting research topics. The aim was to provide teachers with in-depth knowledge on the topic of husbandry methods, domestication and feeding of cows and pigs in order to integrate the topics into lessons in a vivid way and give pupils a better understanding of agricultural animal husbandry.
In addition to the presentations, the teachers tried out various materials and experiments and learnt about keeping pigs, cattle and goats. ‘It is important to us that the pupils get a realistic picture of farming,’ explained Marianne Zenk, one of the speakers and project manager at the FBN. The teachers were particularly interested in discussing the impact of livestock farming on the environment, society and the ethical considerations that go hand in hand with food production.
The first learning workshop was very popular with almost 30 participants and provided new impetus for educational work in schools. It not only opened up new perspectives on agriculture and the associated challenges, but also promoted dialogue between educational institutions and the agricultural sector. In future, similar events will be organised regularly to equip teachers with the tools they need to pass on a modern and sustainable image of agriculture to the next generation. The event has shown how important it is to promote a differentiated and realistic view of agriculture and to raise awareness of animal welfare, sustainability and environmental awareness among teachers and thus also students.d Umweltbewusstsein zu vermitteln.