Expanded agricultural science pathway

The iFarm is a fully computerised, outdoor farm research station that features eight automated garden beds that allow students to compare the impact of different soil types, irrigation levels, fertilisers and micro-climates on crop growth.

Tatachilla is one of only seven schools in South Australia – and the only school on the Fleurieu Peninsula – to have received a revolutionary iFarm from the Australian Government for the advancement of agricultural science and STEM learning in the secondary school years.

The iFarm enables students to undertake simultaneous crop trials, record live data using the iFarm’s in-built computer, view root growth through the iFarm’s clear Perspex sides and upload and compare data with other schools that are also using iFarm technology.

It is powered through wind and solar energy and can be operated remotely by students or in-person. It features its own weather station, subsurface drip irrigation, a 2,000L water tank, moisture and temperature sensors, inbuilt digital touchscreen and worm farm for composting.

The iFarm represents an exciting new way for Tatachilla students to experience firsthand how climate variables impact crop propagation and to understand the skills and technology required to produce food and fibre sustainably and in the context of changing world.

Students enrolled in agricultural science develop key knowledge in emerging aquaculture industries, including aquatic farming and aquaponics.

They are supported to breed their own yabbies and design, build and test their own aquaponics systems.

Aquaponics is an exciting field in the agricultural sciences which is allowing scientists to grow aquatic animals and plants side-by-side.

This technology is currently being used by the Australian Space Agency to grow food for astronauts and future space colonies and has significant applications in the field of global food security.

Agricultural science students participate in the national Cows Create Careers initiative run by Dairy Australia.

As part of the initiative, students learn about local and global career pathways in the dairy industry, meet practising dairy farmers and have the opportunity to personally care for two dairy calves on college grounds for a period of three weeks. 

Through raising the calves, students develop technical and transferable skills in animal handling. They also undertake related research projects which can be entered into the Cows Create Careers competition and earn them prizes for their class and school.

Tatachilla's agricultural science curriculum enables students to learn about the poultry industry by raising chickens on-site and participating in the annual egg-laying competition at the Royal Adelaide Show.

Students monitor the health and growth of their chickens and nominate those chickens who are competition-ready.

Through this experiences they acquire skills in showing poultry and determining egg quality.