More than 80 secondary school students will get a hands on look at farming, agricultural technology and career opportunities at the BCG Main Field Day on Wednesday 9 September, as the popular Student Program returns for its third year.
Delivered by Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) in collaboration with the North Central Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN), the program gives students the opportunity to step out of the classroom and experience agriculture in action at BCG’s Main Research Site at Curyo.
North Central LLEN CEO Jane Hosking said the partnership was an important way to connect young people with the breadth of opportunities available across agriculture. “Agriculture offers such a diverse range of career pathways, but young people need the opportunity to see those careers in action and meet the people working in the industry,” Ms Hosking said. “The BCG Main Field Day gives students a really practical experience. They can get their hands dirty, ask questions and see first hand the science, technology and people that are driving modern agriculture.”
Under the theme “Become a farmer for a day”, students will work their way through a dedicated program designed to introduce some of the key decisions, skills and technologies involved in growing a crop.
The day will begin with an introduction to the fundamentals of crop production before students head to the soil pit to test soil pH and investigate the role soil characteristics play in crop performance. Technology will also feature strongly, with students taking part in an autonomous tractor demonstration with Ornata Ag and a hands-on machinery activity with O’Connors, providing an insight into how rapidly machinery and automation are changing farming.
Following lunch, a careers panel will introduce students to some of the many roles available across the agricultural sector, before an interactive pest and disease investigation with CESAR Australia puts their crop scouting skills to the test.
BCG Student Stream Coordinator Claudia Cox said the program had been deliberately designed to make agriculture tangible and engaging for students. “We want students to leave the day understanding that agriculture is much bigger than what they might traditionally think of as farming,” Ms Cox said. “Across the program they’ll explore soils, machinery, pests and diseases, research and career pathways. It’s very hands on, and that’s what makes the Student Stream so valuable.”
Ms Cox said hosting the program alongside the Main Field Day also allowed students to experience the agricultural industry at work. “There will be growers, researchers, advisers, agribusinesses and industry specialists all together at the site. For students who might be considering a future in agriculture, it’s a great opportunity to see just how many different people and careers contribute to the sector.”
The BCG Main Field Day will be held on Wednesday 9 September 2026 at the Lehmann and Curyo West Road intersection, Curyo.
Register your attendance at: https://www.bcg.org.au/event/bcgs-main-field-day-2026/
