THE fate of a pig and a cow has divided Daylesford Secondary College students and community members.
The school is taking part in Young Gourmet, a national competition using traditional growing or production methods, and plans to slaughter a 100kg pig and a three-year-old short-horn steer that were housed on its grounds
for some months.
The school has defended its plans, saying the project gave students an insight into farm life.
School vice-captain Freeman Trebilcock, 17, is leading the campaign to save the pig and the cow.
And a Hollywood film producer has weighed in on the debate.
Freeman said he was shocked when he found out the pig and cow would be killed and sold as bullboar sausages at the Glenlyon Food Fayre.
"I couldn't believe the school would do such a thing," he said.
He circulated a petition, which was signed by about 100 students.
Project co-ordinator and school council president Gary Thomas said the bullboar was a local food icon.
Mr Thomas said that while he was aware of some students who were opposed to the project, the committee members and their parents had not expressed concern.
"They've remained enthusiastic about the project," he said.
"There's been no suggestion from the students as far as I'm concerned that they would want to stop it."
The executive producer of the movie Charlotte's Web, Bernie Williams, has offered his support to Freeman and his Save Our Pig and Cow campaign.
Mr Williams sent the school an email from Los Angeles expressing his concern.
"I have worked with pigs over the past 11 months and I have so much respect for these animals," he said.
"The bullboar sausages will soon be forgotten after the food fair, but the guilt of killing this pig which has been domesticated will last forever on those that have a conscience."
Freeman's mother, Gillian, is concerned about the welfare of students following the slaughter.
"I am upset for the pig, but I'm more concerned about the kids," she said.
"To continue with the project and have the animals killed for a presumed profit could cause psychological problems."
Mr Thomas said he welcomed the debate regarding the competition, but believed a few people were trying to "sabotage" it.
"Personally, I think it's better for society as a whole to know where the ingredients come from," he said.
Mr Thomas said the first priority was the welfare of students and he did not believe this was in jeopardy.
He said the pig and cow were still alive, but the clock was ticking with the Glenlyon Food Fayre on Sunday, July 31.