As a Full-Stack WordPress Developer, I developed Let’s Talk Farming, the official online platform for the Let’s Talk Farming Programme — a collaborative initiative between the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights (MAFA) and the Ministry for Education, Sports, Youths, Research and Innovation (MEYR). This educational resource promotes farming, food production, and sustainable practices in primary, middle, and secondary schools across Malta and Gozo. Built with WordPress, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, and PHP, the site delivers a clean, responsive, and engaging experience that supports programme registration, showcases school achievements, and inspires the next generation toward a sustainable food system.
For the frontend of Let’s Talk Farming, I crafted a responsive, mobile-first interface using a custom WordPress theme built with HTML and CSS, ensuring seamless navigation on desktops, tablets, and school devices. jQuery powered dynamic features such as interactive award showcases, animated objective highlights, and smooth scrolling for programme details, boosting engagement among students and educators. A mobile-first approach, combined with minified CSS, lazy-loaded images, and optimized assets, delivered excellent load times even in low-bandwidth environments. Accessibility followed WCAG 2.1 standards with semantic HTML, ARIA landmarks, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast elements to support inclusive learning. Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) enabled flexible content layouts for easy updates by ministry staff, such as adding new winners or programme editions. Rigorous cross-browser testing (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) guaranteed reliability. My frontend work created an inviting, educational platform that advances the programme’s mission to empower future generations through awareness of sustainable farming and food systems in Malta.
The Let’s Talk Farming backend leverages WordPress and MySQL, with custom PHP development enabling secure programme features like participation forms, contact handling, and dynamic winner listings. WP_Query optimized data retrieval for real-time display of school achievements and programme editions, supported by proper indexing. I implemented REST APIs via PHP (secured with WordPress authentication) to facilitate potential future integrations with ministry systems or partner portals. Security measures included Wordfence protection against common threats (XSS, SQL injection), full HTTPS enforcement, and custom user roles for ministry administrators. Performance was enhanced using W3 Total Cache for high-traffic periods during programme launches and awards. The modular backend architecture supports scalability as the programme grows with more schools each year. PHP unit testing ensured plugin reliability and minimized disruptions. My contributions delivered a secure, efficient foundation for this vital educational initiative, showcasing my WordPress and PHP skills for government-backed projects promoting agriculture in 2025-2026.
Performance was critical for Let’s Talk Farming to provide quick access for schools, teachers, and families. I implemented W3 Total Cache to reduce server load, optimized MySQL queries via WP_Query with indexing, and applied minification to CSS/JavaScript plus lazy loading for images of farms, awards, and activities. Lighthouse audits guided improvements, achieving strong scores in speed and best practices. To boost visibility, I integrated Yoast SEO with targeted meta tags and structured data around keywords like “sustainable farming education Malta” and “Let’s Talk Farming programme,” improving search rankings for educational queries. These efforts reduced bounce rates and supported higher engagement during school outreach periods, aligning with the programme’s goal of raising awareness about local agriculture and food systems. My performance strategy ensured a smooth, reliable experience, demonstrating my ability to optimize WordPress sites for public educational platforms in 2025-2026.
To maximize reach, I applied SEO best practices with Yoast SEO, optimizing meta titles/descriptions, structured data (schema for educational events), and keywords such as “farming education Malta,” “sustainable food system schools,” and “Let’s Talk Farming programme.” Fast load times via caching and minified assets further strengthened SEO, as speed remains key in 2025-2026. Accessibility adhered to WCAG 2.1 with high-contrast designs, screen-reader-friendly HTML, descriptive alt text for agricultural imagery, ARIA roles, and full keyboard support via jQuery. WAVE and manual testing confirmed compliance, making the site usable for all students, including those with disabilities. These enhancements broadened the programme’s audience and reinforced inclusivity in agricultural education. My work improved discoverability and user experience, supporting MAFA and MEYR’s mission to inspire responsibility and career paths in farming.
Collaboration was key to Let’s Talk Farming’s success. I worked closely with MAFA and MEYR stakeholders to align the platform with the programme’s objectives of enhancing awareness, encouraging responsibility, and inspiring future generations in sustainable food systems. Using agile methods, I delivered iterative WordPress prototypes with ACF-powered layouts and jQuery-enhanced components for feedback on features like winner galleries and participation forms. Git handled version control for seamless teamwork, while regular stakeholder reviews refined educational content and usability. Cross-browser and device testing ensured compatibility for diverse school environments. Feedback loops improved navigation and content clarity for teachers and students. My collaborative approach resulted in a high-quality, user-centric platform that supports this impactful government initiative, highlighting my ability to partner on meaningful WordPress projects in education and agriculture for 2025-2026.