GRDC Podcast

Cultivating learning: Ag education for Aussie kids

GRDC Podcast

Show Notes

According to a survey done by the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA), 75 per cent of surveyed students say they know nothing or little about the grains industry - despite it being one of Australia’s largest exports.

In this episode, PIEFA CEO Luciano Mesiti outlines one of their key aims; to increase student knowledge and understanding through boosting teachers’ confidence with agricultural content. This is a concept shared by GRDC and reflected in their long-term relationship with PIEFA - a national not-for-profit company that advocates and works with industry groups to develop and promote the importance of food and fibre and agricultural education in schools.

Contact:

Luciano Mesiti, CEO Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA)

[email protected]

More information:

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/educational

https://www.Primezone.edu.au

https://www.careerharvest.com.au

https://www.piefa.edu.au/

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/innovation/industry-insights/lessons-awaken-students-interest-in-grains

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/agronomy/soil-and-nutrition/opportunities-abound-in-a-growing-industry

Project Investment code:

PIE2408-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from GRDC Podcast

Oct 20, 2026

92,000 hectares of canola has been planted into canola stubble this year. Blackleg pathologist from the University of Melbourne, Associate Professor Angela Van de Wouw, Western Australian agronomist Geoff Fosbery, and plant breeder Raymond Cowley explain why the risks of canola-on-canola far outweigh any short-term benefits.

Oct 13, 2026

Ben White and Chris Warrick from GRDC’s grain storage extension team discuss practical grain storage best practice, including fumigation timing, safe application of chemicals, ventilation and withholding periods, as well as the effective use of diatomaceous earth (DE) for storage hygiene. They share recent research and practical tips to help growers manage insects, reduce resistance risks and improve workplace safety.

Oct 11, 2026

James Manson’s pathway into agriculture has been anything but conventional. Growing up in Chiang Mai, Thailand, he spent his early years immersed in a cross-cultural environment before discovering agriculture through an internship with an agricultural development NGO working alongside hill tribe communities near the Myanmar border. What began as an adventure quickly became a passion, leading him to study agriculture and international development before building a career in applied crop research.

Oct 6, 2026

Welcome to GRDC’s National Variety Trials (NVT) new variety podcast series, where Australia's leading breeding companies share their latest releases for the 2027 growing season.

Oct 6, 2026

Welcome to GRDC’s National Variety Trials (NVT) new variety podcast series, where Australia's leading breeding companies share their latest releases for the 2027 growing season.

See all episodes →