8 January 2021.
AgForce’s Food, Fibre & Agricultural Educators Conference On Wheels series is taking in stops throughout Queensland in 2021 in what is an exciting, unique opportunity for educators of Australia’s younger generation.
AgForce CEO Michael Guerin said Conference on Wheels provided teachers in agriculture, science, and home economics, as well as agriculture assistants, the chance to hear from a thought-provoking range of speakers, participate in a diverse range of workshops, and attend a varied set of industry tours.
“The aim of the series is to provide educators relevant, practical and current professional development to teach and promote agriculture science, hospitality, and technology as career options,” Mr Guerin said.
“The first of seven conferences this year kicks off in Toowoomba on Monday at the Burke and Wills Hotel.
“Alison Penfold from Futureye will be talking on the subject of Owning a social licence to operate; two Rural Consultants of the Year, Greg Mills and Tim Neale, will be speaking on sustainability and technology in agriculture, and local agriculture teachers and industry experts will share their firsthand knowledge with participants.
“All of the workshops on the day align with the senior agriculture science curriculum, so for teachers who attend it couldn’t be easier to set their students up for a practical, genuine interest in agriculture.”
Mr Guerin said the first event in the series was already proving a success before it had even started with enough teachers registering to have organisers raising the “registrations closed” sign.
Sponsored by CQUniversity, TAFE Queensland, and Nutrien Ag Solutions, Conference on Wheels is run by AgForce’s School to Industry Partnership Program (SIPP), with support from the Department of Education, Small Business and Training, which allows AgForce to deliver the Agriculture Schools Engagement Program across Queensland each year.
“We really want educators who attend the conferences to go away not only realising how vital it is that the next generation learn more about where their food and fibre comes from, but that being involved in a career in agriculture is an inspirational, wondrous thing,” Mr Guerin said.
“After all, you’re feeding your family, your friends and their families, and millions of people around Australia and throughout the world.”
After making its first stop in Toowoomba on January 11 and 12, Conference on Wheels heads to the Gold Coast on 6 and 7 March, returns to Toowoomba on 5 and 6 July, the Sunshine Coast on 8 and 9 July, Townsville on 30 and 31 August, Emerald on 27 and 28 September, before hitting its breaks and parking in Bundaberg on 30 September and 1 October.
Find out more by visiting AgForce’s website agforce.org.au and searching for Conference on Wheels.
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For media comments contact: AgForce CEO Michael Guerin 0488 002 092