Head of School, School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences Professor Hayley Randle, Executive Dean of the Charles Sturt Faculty of Science and Health Professor Megan Smith, Chelsea McKay from Coolamon Central School, Krystal Grills from Kerrang Technical High School and Russell Berlin from Australian Farm Futures. Pic: Supplied
An article by Alex McLaughlin
Coolamon Central School agriculture teacher Chelsea McKay was back in the classroom herself last week, growing her knowledge to teach the school's expanding ag program.
Having grown up on a small farm in Rylstone, Ms McKay’s passion for the industry led her to first study agricultural science before transitioning into teaching four years ago.
At Coolamon, NSW, she oversees an agricultural program that offers students practical experience with poultry, sheep, and horticulture.
“We raise lambs, tend to veggie gardens, and have an orchard,” she explained.
“It’s a small program, but we offer enough hands-on learning for students to understand the essentials of animal husbandry and horticulture.”
Ms McKay is particularly proud of introducing the school's first Year 11 and 12 agriculture class this year, where her class of six girls is engaging with a broader scope of agricultural science.
“It’s exciting to see older students interested in the subject, especially as they learn the deeper aspects of agriculture,” she added.
Beyond her classroom, Ms McKay is optimistic about the future of agriculture for students.
"I think people often don't realise how diverse the industry is. It's not just about farming; it's about science, technology, and data. There are so many pathways available, and the opportunities are vast," she said.
"I heard recently that graduates in agriculture have, on average, around seven job offers when they finish their degree."
Ms McKay attended the Agricultural Teachers Professional Development Conference at Charles Sturt University this week, where more than 110 high school agriculture and primary industry teachers converged.
The conference aimed to equip high school agriculture teachers with the latest educational tools, knowledge and industry connections, aligning with Charles Sturt’s missions to address the nation’s agricultural workforce shortage by ensuring quality education and professional development for those teaching the next generation of professionals.
The agricultural industry has an ambitious target of being a $100 billion industry by 2030, according to a reported conducted by DAFF in 2020. To reach this goal, a passionate, skilled and motivated workforce is vital.
Ms McKay said she found immense value in networking with other educators.
“It was great to meet teachers from different regions and share strategies. We all have different challenges, but it was helpful to hear how others incorporate technology or handle specific topics like soils,” she said.
One of the standout sessions for Ms McKay involved simplifying complex topics for students.
“One lecturer from Charles Sturt gave some great advice on how to teach soils, which is often tricky. Finding ways to make these topics more accessible for students is key," she said.
Although she has only been teaching for four years, Ms McKay is determined to continue improving and growing the agriculture program at her school.
“I’m still finding my feet, but events like this conference really help. It’s all about learning, sharing ideas, and bringing new strategies into the classroom. I’m excited to see how the program will grow and how we can encourage more students to pursue agriculture,” she said.
