Flavorite Hydroponic Tomatoes -
Flavorite Tomatoes
318 Copelands Road,
Warragul, 3820
Victoria, Australia
Ph: +61 3 5623 1693
5 May 2008
Let's give country students every chance
This weeks news story presents two articles relating to the importance of training our young people in agriculture (both printed from the Weekly Times). Each article focusses on a different issue. Professor Battersby's concern is just to get young people to university in a fit financial state to study effectively.
Julian Cribb's broader approach, laments the fact that the previous government failed to understand the impact that a bankrupt agricultural education system will have on the social environmental and economic structure of Australia.
I guess the trend for young countyr people to leave the farm environment is exacerlated by the trends of schools to focus their curriculum on more professional careers (accountancy, finance, law etc) and this is not helped by many farmers constantly talking down the industry rather than enouraging young people to take a part in agriculture or horticulture as such.
As Julian Cribb says just recognising the problem is a start, a new Government provides the opportunity for a change of attitude. Farmers also need to help themselves and be prepared to speak to young people in schools to turn their gaze back to regional Australia with all it's other lifestyle benefits apart from rewarding fulfilling career paths.
