Agricultural Q&A session comes to Wagga

A Q&A session is being hosted in Wagga on Friday July 24 and provides an opportunity for some of the big issues to be discussed.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) third year agriculture science student Claudia Raleigh will be on the panel.

Miss Raleigh of Cootamundra agreed to be involved so she could represent young agricultural students who are studying at university.

“I’m also taking this opportunity to challenge myself. I think that answering questions on the spot and speaking in front of an audience will be a skill that will be valuable for me in my future careers,” she said.

Miss Raleigh predicts issues surrounding mining and agriculture will be raised.

“The mining and agricultural sector are really at war with each other,” she said.

“I think a lot of the questions will be aimed at renewable energy sources and the impact of using or not using these renewable sources will have on the future of agriculture.”

In broader terms Miss Raleigh is prepared for issues surrounding the representation of young people in the agricultural sector.

“I also believe that there may be some questions regarding agricultural graduates and the opportunities available for them upon graduation,” she said.

Miss Raleigh conceded she was a little nervous in the lead up to the event but was hoping to gain confidence by speaking in front of an audience.

Ultimately she has aspirations of being an agriculture teacher.

“I think agricultural education is extremely important in school curriculums,” she said.

“Not just teaching agriculture as a subject, but integrating it throughout other subjects.”

She said there also needed to be more awareness of agriculture in all aspects of life.

“Buying Australian grown produce supports farmers, therefore supports rural and remote communities. Educating the future consumers can have a great impact of the survival of the Australian agricultural industry,” she said.  

Miss Raleigh said she had grown up on a farm but it was actually studying agriculture in high school that sparked her love of the industry.

She hopes to return to the farm, but ultimately her aim is to educate young people about agriculture.

“Hopefully I can fuel kid’s passions for agriculture being a teacher just as mine was in high school,” she said.

The Q&A session is being hosted by the Wagga NSW Young Farmers branch.

The panelists include member for Riverina Michael McCormack, Rennylea Angus cattle producer Lucinda Corrigan; and policy director and #AgChatOZ founder Danica Leys. 

Young Farmer Wagga branch chairwoman Jessica Green said it is important for young people in the agricultural industry to ask the questions about things which directly affect them and their future.

The event is also the official launch of the Wagga Young Farmer Branch, one of four regional branches launched this year by NSW Farmers, set up to promote networking and policy discussion for young people.