Students tackle ag issues with new entrepreneurial learning program

AgriFutures Australia and startup.business have launched a new school pilot program that embraces innovative and entrepreneurial thinking in seven high schools across Australia.

The AgriFutures™ startup.business pilot program provides Year 9 and 10 students with a number of agricultural challenges, such as water supply and animal traceability, and encourages them to brainstorm and pitch solutions.

The seven successful schools selected for the pilot program, located in rural and regional areas, have committed to delivering the program to at least one class in Term 2 and Term 3 of 2018.

The schools participating in the pilot are:

• Gympie Secondary High School, QLD
• Boddington District High School, WA
• Kempsey High School, NSW
• Ulladulla High School, NSW
• Loxton High School, SA
• Pyramid Hill College, VIC
• Wynyard High School, TAS.

The program was officially launched at the schools this term and will conclude with a pitch event in September.

“There was a lot of enthusiasm and excitement when we launched the program at the schools and I’m anticipating a lot of out-of-the-box solutions to some very important issues affecting our rural industries,” said Ms Burston.

AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, John Harvey said this new program will expose students to a different way of thinking and hopefully, encourage them to consider a career in agriculture.

“One of our key objectives is to attract capable people into careers in agriculture but a lot of the time, students think agriculture means being a farmer. There are so many different ways you can have a career in agriculture and this program will help to expose the breadth of these opportunities,” said Mr Harvey.

Co-founder of startup.business, Jo Burston said the program flips traditional ways of teaching.

“We provide the problems rather than the solutions and we teach students the skills and mindset of entrepreneurs so that they know how to tackle an issue and inspire change,” Ms Burston said.

The pilot program will be formally reviewed at the end of the year. Pending successful results, AgriFutures Australia may expand the program next year.