Another eight extension trainees are assisting farmers throughout the Great Barrier Reef Catchments after recently beginning work with various NRM and agricultural advisory groups through the Agriculture Extension Work Placement Program.
Through a partnership with the Australian Government, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Reef Trust Partnership and the Queensland Government, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) will deliver the work placement program.
The eight trainees, their mentors and key industry and government stakeholders participated in induction and training sessions in Brisbane this week to gain an understanding of what their new positions will involve.
QFF President Stuart Armitage said that industry had an important role to play in assisting the eager cohort of trainee extension officers gain important skills and build professional capacity.
“The Agriculture Extension Work Placement Program will see the trainees mentored by experienced extension practitioners to develop the skills required to engage with primary producers and improve land management practices,” Mr Armitage said.
“This capacity building program provides a great pathway for new people coming into our sector and it is another step towards a more holistic approach to helping deliver Reef water quality targets.”
“Following the success of last year’s program and its continuation this year, we look forward to seeing the trainees develop into experienced officers that can continue to support farm managers and businesses.”
The Agriculture Extension Work Placement Program Trainees:
- Jesse Bowman – Sugar Research Australia (Burdekin)
- Paul Calcino – Sugar Research Australia (Gordonvale)
- David Clancy – Farmacist (Mackay)
- Carleigh Drew – NQ Dry Tropics NRM group (Townsville)
- Angus Dunne – RCS (Yeppoon)
- Katie Johnston – Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (Gympie)
- Tahlia Kinrade – Burdekin Productivity Services (Burdekin)
- Steven Wei – Agritech Solutions (Burdekin)
To learn more about the trainees, visit: https://www.qff.org.au/projects/rural-jobs-skills-alliance/agriculture-extension-training/.
The Agriculture Extension Work Placement Program is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation with support from the Queensland Government.