Welcome to this week’s RIST weekly Round Up!

It’s been another dynamic week filled with engaging moments between our dedicated staff and enthusiastic students.

Today, we’re sharing snippets into the recent Industry Tour embarked upon by our Cert III in Agriculture students, accompanied by staff members John Byron and Tamara Hardy.

A Recap of Industry Tour. Students pictured at Historic Yanga Woolshed, Balranald NSW.

Venturing beyond the borders of Victoria and into New South Wales, The Industry Tour was aimed to immerse our students in the vast and diverse pathways and careers on offer in Agriculture today.

Experiences ranging from a tour of The Big Strawberry and Avocado Farm at Koonoomoo VIC, to setting foot onto a 25,000 head carrying capacity cattle feedlot operation, Hells Gate, in Maude NSW.

Other highlights included visiting Case O’Connors, Grizzly Ag, The historic Yanga Homestead and Woolshed, A visit to Kyalite Pistachio Farm, Discovering the in’s and out of chicken meat growing at Hazeldene’s Poultry Farm at Yarrawalla VIC, and also learning more about the intricate processes involved in producing wool products at the Creswick Woolen Mill.

Students were treated to a comprehensive exploration of various agricultural commodities, “The tour really highlighted to students the diversity and opportunities that are available in a career in Ag,” shared Certificate II and III program coordinator John Byron. Another take home for them being that, “Small changes in the way businesses operate can have a real impact in profitability, which was really impressive”.

While there was plenty of sightseeing to be had on the 3 day tour, the resounding aim behind the two day adventure was about igniting passions and broadening student horizons.

Witnessing firsthand the opportunities of each agricultural sector, students left feeling inspired for where their own career path in Agriculture may one day take them.

Students inspecting the cattle feedlot at Hells Gate NSW.

If you are a past RIST student and would like to share where a pathway in Agriculture has taken you, please connect with us! We’d love to hear your story.