Rugby Farms – Horticulture and changes in farming practice

• This resource is of considerable value for studies of agriculture and agribusiness in 21st century Australia, particularly in the context of subjects such as year 7 Economics and Business, and years 7/8 Design and Technologies. Rugby Farm is a substantial agribusiness, each year producing crops of 12 different vegetables on 5000ha, employing more than 500 staff, operating 125 tractors and 25 semi-trailers, and supplying major Australian markets.
• Matt Hood's description of the changed relationship between the market and the grower is especially relevant to the content description in the year 7 Economics and Business curriculum about the ways consumers and producers respond to and influence each other in the market. He also mentions their 'business'; exposure to 'Mother Nature' and the need to be reactive. His recognition of risk is relevant to the content description, also in year 7, that refers to the characteristics of successful businesses. Rugby Farm mitigates the risk of crop loss or failure by farming at a range of locations in the Gatton region.
• In the years 7/8 design and technologies curriculum the resource supports content descriptions in the Knowledge and understanding strand that refer firstly to the ways in which products evolve locally and regionally through the creativity, innovation and enterprise of individuals and secondly to sustainable ways of producing food in managed environments. Rugby Farm was established in 1912 and has seen many changes. The passion of the Hood family and their commitment to growing healthy food are clearly evident throughout the video.

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