Ag exchange to Oz for students

Last year, eight Kamo High School TeenAg members assisted with Whangarei A&P Society's Summer Show. As part of that, Jesse and Caitlin hosted two students from Nambour High – Michelle Greenslade and Jacklyn Bradley – who came to New Zealand to assist with the Fresha Valley Suzie Moo Show, which was held for the first time at the Summer Show.

Mrs Chris Mason, advised that the exchange was a first for the society and is part of a wider programme to engage teenagers in agriculture.

"We are thrilled to be able to put this together for Jesse and Caitlin. It's a brilliant opportunity. Caitlin and Jesse will spend two days at Nambour State High School participating in normal school activities. They will also work on Nambour School's farm where they will prepare show cattle for Queensland's largest A&P Show – The Ekka.

"Caitlin and Jesse will then travel from Nambour, to Brisbane where they will stay on-site and assist at Ekka's Legendairy Milking Barn. This exhibit is always popular with Ekka visitors as they learn how to milk a cow and get involved with live milking, butter and cream-making demonstrations held throughout the day."

Mrs Mason advised while there are a wide range of vocations in the primary sector, young people didn't always consider agriculture when they are thinking about their career options. The exchange programme is one way the society is trying to encourage young people to explore the opportunities that agriculture offers, she says.

Whangarei A&P Society is pleased to be involved with Kamo High School through its TeenAg Club and hopes that this exchange will become an on-going reciprocal exchange programme. Future exchanges will see students from Australia once again visiting to coincide with the Whangarei A&P Summer Show, while two students from Whangarei will return to Australia to coincide with the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show (Nambour) which is held the second weekend in June each year.