Engaging young people in agriculture is crucial for the sustainability and innovation of the industry. We have compiled a series of strategies to best accomplish this:
Education & Awareness:
Through educational programs in schools and communities, we can highlight the importance of agriculture and its potential for careers and innovation.
Bralca is proud to partner with Australian Wool Innovation to deliver the NSW School Merino Wether Challenge, sparking sheep and wool interest in high school students. You can read more about the 2024 program here: https://www.wool.com/news-events/beyond-the-bale/issue-99-june-2024/merino-wether-challenge/
The UpGen Project https://www.bralca.com/project-management/the-upgen-project/ further supports these discussions, ensuring high school students have access to conversations and resources to promote the uptake of careers, while supporting industry. We can ensure students are aware of their options, along with setting cultural standards.
Hands on Experience:
By providing opportunities for young people to engage in hands on agricultural activities, we can increase involvement in industry. Whether this is through traineeships and apprenticeships for school leavers and young adults or work experience for high school and university students. This practical experience can assist in developing a deeper understanding and appreciation for agriculture and its benefit to wider communities.
Should work experience students be of interest to your enterprise, we encourage you to reach out to local high schools and universities to ensure they are aware of the connection and can steer students in the right direction. Bralca has recently hosted year 10 students completing their placements, and would highly recommend.
Technology Integration:
Highlighting the role of technology in agriculture and how it is shaping the future of the industry is an opportunity to increase engagement. We can encourage young people to explore how agricultural technologies are advancing in the space of precision farming and ag tech. These innovations are making agriculture more efficient and sustainable, with young people coming through in the forefront of these technological advancements.
Ben recently presented on the ‘Challenge your thinking, Agtech careers’ webinar with DET to over 200 STEM students across NSW. Encouraging awareness surrounding the capabilities of technology ensures students have access to choices in their career path.
Youth Leadership Programs:
Establishing youth leadership programs within agricultural organisations and communities can empower young people to take on leadership roles and contribute to decision making processes in industry. This can help them to feel values and invested in the future of agriculture.
Networking and Mentorship:
By facilitating networking opportunities and mentoring programs that connect young people with experienced professionals in the sector, they can receive guidance, support and valuable insights into opportunities.
There are some existing mentoring programs available in the region for students. Brooke was lucky enough to deliver an occasional address at the 2024 TEN4TEN program launch with RDA Central West, and meet with mentees from the Central West. You can find out more on their program here: https://rdacentralwest.org.au/projects/ten4ten-2024/
Networking groups across the state are regularly offering networking opportunities at a range of events. We highly recommend following the below groups for regular engagement opportunities:
Central West Young Aggies - https://www.facebook.com/centralwestyoungaggies/about
Western Rural Connect - https://www.facebook.com/westernruralconnect/about
Financial Support:
Through the offer of scholarships, grants and financial assistance programs specifically targeted towards young people, we can better remove financial barrier that may deter talented individuals from entering the field.
Country Education Foundation’s mission is to promote and enable equal access to further education and career opportunities for rural and regional youth irrespective of background, circumstances or location through community-based encouragement and financial assistance.
Country Education Foundation’s local foundations across the country are run by community volunteers all with one thing in common – a passion for seeing rural and regional youth succeed. You can find more information here: https://cef.org.au/
Community Engagement:
By involving young people in community projects and committees, we can create further opportunities and connections for involvement in industry.
Ag Shows NSW have a range of opportunites for engagement in local communities, led by the NextGen committee. The ASC of NSW Next Generation is the youthful extension of the Agricultural Societies Council, dedicated to facilitating the engagement of youth for the positive progression of NSW agricultural shows.
You can find more information here: https://www.agshowsnsw.org.au/next-gen
By implementing these strategies, we can inspire and empower young people to become the next generation of agricultural leaders and innovators.
By: Brooke Watts
Bralca.com: increasing choice through knowledge
