NSW Department of Primary Industries | CSU Homepage
10 June 2008
Sowing the seed for a career in agriculture
Identifying animal bones and testing the quality of vegetable oils are just some of the activities on offer to almost 100 Riverina school students who will attend this year's Agriculture Enrichment Day on Friday, 13th June in Wagga Wagga.
Hosted by the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an alliance between the Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University, the day will give students access to some of the state's leading agricultural and veterinary scientists.
Convenor Gordon Murray says, "It's the third year the event has been held and it's growing in popularity, as students have an opportunity to see science in action, giving them an appreciation of the further studies and work options available to them in the agricultural and veterinary science fields."
Students from Years 10 and 11 can choose between a variety of hands-on, applied research activities including selecting wheat for disease resistance, sheep breeding, vegetable oil quality assurance, bone identification and laboratory experiments to detect fungi on ryegrass seed.
The E H Graham Centre's Director, Professor Deirdre Lemerle, says the day has many benefits for the school students and she hopes it will encourage them to consider a career in agricultural science.
"Recent studies have shown the agricultural industry is suffering a shortage of graduates. Now, more than ever we need highly skilled people to tackle the big issues like water scarcity and climate change, which will contribute to a future of healthy agricultural landscapes and resilient rural communities," she says.
Media Notes: The Agricultural Enrichment Day will be held on Friday, 13 June from 8.45am - 1.30pm at the NSW Department of Primary Industries' Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute and Charles Sturt University's Wagga Wagga campus. Contact Prof Deirdre Lemerle to arrange interviews and visits on 6938 1667 or 0419 816 267.