Shownotes
Simone Kain, the creator of George the Farmer, shares her journey of creating educational content for children about farming and agriculture. She discusses the inspiration behind George the Farmer and how it has helped children discover a love for reading and learning. Simone also talks about the different age groups her material targets, from picture books for young children to middle-grade literature. She emphasizes the importance of showcasing women in agriculture and breaking stereotypes. The conversation highlights the impact of George the Farmer in bridging the rural-urban divide and connecting people to where their food comes from. Simone Kain, the creator of George the Farmer, discusses the impact of the character on children's confidence and learning about agriculture. She shares stories of how George the Farmer has helped shy individuals gain confidence and pursue new opportunities. Simone also talks about the challenges of developing and providing free curriculum resources for teachers and the importance of connecting children to where their food and fiber comes from. She discusses the potential for George the Farmer to expand into new themes and partnerships, as well as the decision to not live on the farm and the future of the family farm. Simone Kain discusses the challenges she faced before and during the pandemic, the importance of personal growth and self-care, and the joys and struggles of raising kids in agriculture. She also shares insights on parenting teenagers and the need for mentors in their lives. Simone highlights the freedom and responsibility that comes with growing up on a farm and the impact of drought on farming communities. She concludes by expressing her love for cooking and frustration with bad kids' books.
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Takeaways
- George the Farmer is an educational platform that aims to teach children about farming and agriculture.
- The material includes picture books, videos, music, and performances that engage children and help them learn about where their food and fiber come from.
- Simone Kane plans to expand the George the Farmer series to include junior picture books, early learning readers, and middle-grade literature.
- The platform also aims to break stereotypes and showcase the important role of women in agriculture.
- George the Farmer helps bridge the rural-urban divide by connecting people to the farming community and promoting a better understanding of where food comes from. George the Farmer has had a positive impact on children's confidence and their understanding of agriculture.
- Providing free curriculum resources for teachers is important to connect children to where their food and fiber comes from.
- There is potential for George the Farmer to expand into new themes and partnerships.
- The decision to not live on the farm has its pros and cons, and the future of the family farm is a topic of discussion.
- The pandemic allowed for re-evaluation and re-prioritization of work and personal life. Challenges and setbacks in life can be opportunities for personal growth and self-reflection.
- Taking time for self-care and prioritizing one's health is essential, especially for mothers and entrepreneurs.
- Raising kids in agriculture provides them with freedom, responsibility, and the opportunity to learn from their mistakes.
- Navigating the teenage years can be challenging, and it's important to seek out mentors and support systems for teenagers.
- Drought has a significant impact on farming communities, affecting not only farmers but also the local economy and community.
- Bad kids' books can be frustrating, and it's important to find engaging and enjoyable books for children.
Chapters
- 00:00 Introducing Simone Kane and the Concept of George the Farmer
- 02:20 The Farming Property and the Range of Agriculture in Australia
- 04:16 Simone's Background and the Inception of George the Farmer
- 07:33 Discovering George the Farmer and the Importance of Accurate Farming Education
- 10:06 The Evolution of George the Farmer and the Impact on Children
- 21:28 The Challenges and Rewards of Creating George the Farmer
- 24:27 Target Audiences and Future Plans for George the Farmer
- 30:09 The Interactive Nature of George the Farmer and the Role of the Performer
- 32:41 George the Farmer: Building Confidence and Agricultural Knowledge
- 38:19 Providing Free Curriculum Resources for Teachers
- 41:28 Expanding Themes and Partnerships with George the Farmer
- 46:57 The Decision to Not Live on the Farm
- 59:14 The Future of the Family Farm
- 01:02:03 Re-evaluating and Re-prioritizing During the Pandemic
- 01:02:45 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Personal Growth
- 01:06:05 The Joys and Struggles of Raising Kids in Agriculture
- 01:09:12 Navigating the Teenage Years and the Importance of Mentors
- 01:19:08 The Impact of Drought on Farming Communities
- 01:25:15 The Frustration of Bad Kids' Books
