Science careers await teens
Opening doors: Mirboo North Secondary College student Jake Porter chats with Murray Goulburn’s Brad Close about dairying opportunities. They are watched by, middle, from left: Kaitlyn Jobling, farmer Eric Dowling, Katie Smith and Claire Jobling, and back, James Pearne and Nikita Wright.
YOUNG people are being taught about food production in a bid to secure the future of agriculture.
Students from Mirboo North and Leongatha secondary colleges are studying the production of milk and transformation into a variety of foods for the Australian and international markets.
The Paddock to Plate Project began last Tuesday, when students toured the Dowling dairy farm at Berrys Creek to discover how milk is produced.
Project coordinator Chris Oliver said students discovered how to manage a farm, from the animal breeding program to pasture management.
In a few weeks’ time, students will discover what happens to milk beyond the farm gate.
Along the way, students discover the role of science and the career opportunities that could be possible: soil testing, fertiliser spreading, truck driving and food science. Students will inspect Murray Goulburn’s Leongatha factory.
“The whole idea is to expose the kids to the broad range of careers that are available in the dairy industry and to show them the value of science in all of the aspects,” Ms Oliver said.
Following the farm tour, students gathered at Mossvale Park for a barbecue lunch and the launch of the project.
MG’s transport safety and compliance manager Brad Close said MG saw the project as an opportunity to show young people the opportunities available in their backyards.
He told the gathering Australia would continue to be central to generating enough food for the world.
“As the world expands and the population grows, larger places like Australia that produce safe food day in and day out will be the places of choice,” Mr Close said.
Milk is not just transformed into butter and cheese, but also energy drinks, pharmaceuticals and health products for sport and aged care, he said.
MG’s products are sent to 100 countries around the world and for this relationship to continue, dairy products must continue to be safe, Mr Close said.
Farmer Eric Dowling hoped his involvement could encourage more young people into dairying.
“There are lot of other industries in the dairy industry. It’s just not about a farmer milking cows,” he said.
Students will communicate via a new online technology, Edmodo.
The project is an initiative of the South Gippsland Bass Coast Local Learning and Employment Network, with funding from Schools Connect.
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Posted by brad on Apr 17 2013. Filed under Featured, Rural News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
