Bachelor of Agricultural Science students at the University of Tasmania have been given a behind-the-scenes look at Tasmania’s agricultural industry.
Last week 28 students took part in a three-day camp to visit agricultural businesses in the state’s north-west.
The annual field trip is organised by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture to help first-year students understand the exciting and diverse agricultural career options available in Tasmania.
There were 11 stops included on the itinerary and students visited businesses including Simplot, Costa Berries, Flowerdale Flowers, Harvest Moon and Fonterra.
They also made stops at TIA’s Vegetable Research Facility at Forthside and Dairy Research Facility at Elliott, as well as Botanical Resources Australia, Brandsema Tomato Production, Hill’s Transplants and McNab’s Dairy.
Unit co-ordinator and TIA lecturer, Dr Nathan Tivendale, said the agricultural camp helps students get a better understanding of Tasmania’s agricultural industry.
“The students get a rare chance to see the inner workings of many Tasmanian agricultural enterprises,” he said.
“They can hear directly from people working in the agricultural industry and see firsthand the amazing innovation that is happening in the sector.”
Students participated in factory tours, field tours and presentations during the trip.
“This was a great chance for students to network and explore options with potential employers down the track,” Dr Tivendale said.
“It allows them to get a taster for different industries.
“It’s beneficial to students who are starting to think about their future careers. The camp gives them an idea about the many different opportunities available to them.”
Agricultural science student, Kane de Haan, said the trip was insightful.
“Our class was able to visit and gain an appreciation of different food and fibre operations,” he said.
“We were fortunate enough to visit a wide range of businesses, from international companies like Simplot, to family run farms like McNab's dairy operation. There is no better way to gain a true appreciation of these food and fibre businesses than visiting in person.
“Everyone enjoyed the camp and walked away with a greater appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes of these production systems. From the food in the supermarkets, to the flowers in the florist.”
Students gained an understanding the scale of the vegetable industry in Tasmania, the importance of research and development and an understanding of technological advancement in the agricultural sector.
“Learning these concepts in a classroom or from an online video would not have the same effect,” Mr de Haan said.
“From the perspective of an agricultural science student, this camp gives the opportunity to meet people from very different companies around the agricultural sector. It opens up avenues of interest to explore, and it gives potential to meet people who can shape out agricultural careers. “
The students stayed at Camp Clayton in Ulverstone and also received lessons in resilience as their trip coincided with wild weather that lashed the state.
“We had no power most of the time we were staying there. Students had to resort to trying to charge their phones at some of the businesses we visited and at the pub in the evening,” Dr Tivendale said.
“They were taking any opportunity they could get!”
The main lesson, though, was highlighting what a Bachelor of Agricultural Science could lead to.
“The Bachelor of Agricultural Science really offers such a diverse range of career paths and opportunities,” Dr Tivendale said.
There’s more than $250,000 in scholarships available each year for agricultural science students and numerous opportunities to interact with industry through field trips, industry placements, and industry-supported Honours and Masters research projects.