Cottoning on: Some of James Ruse Agricultural High School's Archibull team with their cow Bessie.
IT TAKES 11,000 litres of water to grow the cotton fibre needed for one pair of jeans.
This is what students of James Ruse Agricultural High School learnt while researching their Art4Agriculture Archibull Prize.
The team were recently named the overall winners of the event, which combines art and multimedia to explore the challenges of housing and feeding the population.
Students showed their knowledge for a food or fibre industry by decorating a blank, life-size cow and creating a blog.
The James Ruse team transformed their blank cow into "Bessie" who represented the cotton industry and its reliance on water. Bessie's two sides are bound by a cotton plant on her spine wrapped in wire to represent the strength and viability of the cotton plant and industry with roots spread linking the different parts of the cotton story.
Art4Agriculture national program director Lynne Strong said the students' artwork demonstrated a clear understanding of the challenges facing farmers.
"Both rural and urban communities have a part to play in ensuring we can continue to grow the food and fibre that sustain our cities," Ms Strong said.
The Archibull's will be on display at the Sydney Royal easter Show.
Model Farms High School came fifth overall and Muirfield High School won the best PowerPoint or video category.