Agriculture university students from across Australia took part in a virtual field day organised by leading grower representative body GrainGrowers. With students unable to meet in person with lockdown restrictions in place, GrainGrowers brought a behind-the-scenes look at what happens on-farm to them.
The virtual field day was an immersive online experience, and saw students from Curtin University, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, Adelaide University, University of Canberra, Charles Sturt University and others tune in to engage with farmers and industry representatives.
Growers gave seasonal updates and an in-depth look at on-farm operations from their corners of Australia, the variety of careers in agriculture were also showcased, and students had the chance to ask more questions about key projects like the grains industry sustainability framework. Presenters included growers Tristan Baldock from Buckleboo (SA) and Brett Hosking from Quambatook (VIC), Nutrien Ag Solutions Manager Rose Climaco and University of Sydney Agriculture Lecturer Professor Daniel Tan.
“We love supporting the next generation of agriculture leaders and even though many are in lockdown we wanted to bring a ‘field day experience’ to them,” said Kaitlin Leonard, GrainGrowers General Manager of Grower and Industry Development. “With a bumper harvest expected, many may even like to go work on a farm during the holidays!”
“It was such a unique, beneficial experience that offered value for many agriculture students in lockdown,” said University of Sydney Lecturer, Professor Daniel Tan. “Despite the pandemic, it’s great to see students gain access to valuable insights and information that ‘brings the farm to them,’ especially when many can’t travel.”
The 2021 GrainGrowers Virtual Field Day was held on 10 September online and comes as the organisation seeks to continue supporting Australian agriculture university students with industry opportunities and insight.
Link to high-resolution images: here