Niah Reich Barber undertakes work experience at BCG

Niah Reich Barber undertakes work experience at BCG By Niah Reich Barber

I’m a year 11 student at Sophia Mundi Stiener School in Melbourne. I completed work experience at BCG from the 27 September to 4 October. I came to BCG to begin a research project on the possibilities of carbon sequestration in the Mallee and for work experience. 

I chose to come to BCG as I am interested in studying plant and agricultural sciences and wanted to explore career pathways in the field. My family has a strong connection to Birchip, my grandad Angus Barber being one of the founding members of BCG so I had to come see it for myself! (Niah is Felicity Barber’s daughter). 

While a good portion of my time was spent helping to prepare trials for harvest, it gave me a good insight into the various sites and the type of research conducted at BCG.   

During my time at BCG I was guided by Yolanda Plowman the Senior Manager of Research. She helped me gain a grasp on soil carbon sequestration and how to adequately research and plan a scientific paper. Yolanda also took me to a trial site near Curyo where I witnessed soil sampling and learned about herbicide residue.  

During my week I also spent time with Tom Jones and intern Simon. We worked on maintaining and spraying trials and taking biomass cuts at the N and Farming System trial plots near Horsham. I also spent time with Steve Nottle learning how to organise and prioritise things in the lab. 

My time was capped off by spending time with the Extension team where we took a tour of the 2023 Main Research Site and then prepared for and attended the Chair’s Breakfast. 

I’m grateful for my time at BCG. I learned a lot in the short time I was here, gaining a good understanding of the agricultural research and innovation that BCG is working on as well as different career paths within the agricultural industry. Thank you, Fiona Best and the rest of the BCG team, for giving me this experience.