Finding ways to encourage rural youth to pursue a career in agricultural post-schooling and to create their own operations locally or continue the family business was a topic of much discussion among panelists at the Emerald Grow Queensland Forum held earlier this month.
Rockhampton Grammar School headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds, said students need to have a real belief regarding their own future in agriculture.
“They need to be able to see themselves operating in that space over a longer period of time, and genuinely feel that they’re going to be really successful,” Dr Moulds said.
Elders Central Queensland district banking manager, Linda Paterson, said creating youth-orientated social activities, implementing more reliable communication technology and holding discussion forums where kids can come together to talk about their situations, would go a long way towards youth retention in primarily agricultural towns.
Rockhampton Grammar School Grade 12 student Blake Johnston has his sights set on enhancing farming efficiency at his 80-year-old multi-generational family-run cropping operation at Monto once he completes his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of New England which he’ll commence next year.
“I want to focus my studies on agronomy and pasture, but the course structure is quite broad and includes business elements so I’ll also be able to learn how to manage a property effectively,” he said.
Blake said the problem seems to be that a lot of kids leave town to take well paid jobs and/or establish their own businesses elsewhere due partly to technological issues inherent to the location of the town.
“We need improved internet and telecommunication services here to be able to manage our farms effectively and efficiently,” he said.
“It’s a big stumbling block; most days in Monto you’re flat out logging in to get your internet banking done, so getting that problem solved is crucial.”
He said there is a lot of opportunity for employment post-degree in the region, with a job rate of six positions per student.
“But we need those basic services to be functioning properly to be able to do the job effectively.”
Rabobank Central Queensland regional manager Chris Adams said parents should discuss succession planning options early in their children’s lives.
“If your children know where they stand early on and have that sense of security it’s more likely they’ll stay on in the family business,” he said.
QRAA CEO Cameron MacMillan said half their business was focused on young farmers and succession, and that positive signs are emerging.
“The average farming age is coming down very quickly,” he said.
“Having the stamp duty removed from succession transactions has been a big deal, and has made things a lot easier.
“We’ve getting more and more young people coming to us with a vision for what they want to do in agriculture.”
Capella-based beef producer Kellie Sylvester spoke about the possibility of creating a mentor/mentee network to allow young people to dip their toe into the agricultural pond.
“It would allow them to get a feel for the farming business lifestyle, a beef producer could arrange for a student to come and manage a single pen of cattle and learn all the skills and knowledge required to do that practically on a small scale, so they can get a sense of what will be required,” she said.
Dr Moulds said rural communities and education providers sometimes undersell themselves.
“We’re here to give kids the life skills to be resilient and offer them a home to have a future locally, develop their attitudes, skills and beliefs.
“Encouraging and supporting the next generation of farmers is all-important to enabling the continuance of an agricultural presence in rural regions.”
