Around a 1000 young city students have experienced what it’s like to be a country kid.

It’s a taste of what’s to come at this year’s EKKA.

Marisa Kuhlewein reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Now in its 14th year, the Rural Discovery ‘ag-ucational’ day brings the country to the city, giving these primary students a unique hands-on learning experience.

Vox Pop 1: “This is my first time, but I really like it.”

With seven out of 10 kids living in major cities, it’s an opportunity for them to learn about the essential role agriculture plays in our everyday lives.

Brendan Christou, RNA Chief Executive: “Yes, this is a great way to showcase to the students where their food and fibre comes from. The importance of agriculture today is paramount and you know, this is a great way in the lead up to the Ekka to do this.”

Students got to see a whip-cracking demonstration, farm dogs hard at work and sheep being sheared.

Jeff Regan, Sheep Shearer: “It’s bringing the farm and what we do day in, day out to the kids of Brisbane I guess and surroundings that may not see that at all sometimes really nowadays.”

The animals here today are only a glimpse of what the Ekka has to offer, with over 10,000 animals to be showcased.

Vox Pop 2: “Because the goat has horns and the sheep doesn’t.”

Vox Pop 3: “I like patting the animals.”

It’s not long now until the EKKA opens its doors later in August.

With over 400,000 people expected to attend, now’s the time to buy tickets which are up to 20 per cent cheaper until the end of May.

Marisa Kuhlewein, QUT News.