Young women give their opinions about their place in agriculture’s future

Agriculture students are often told that there are more jobs than graduates for the industry they have decided to study.

Those jobs are not just available on farm. The industry offers work in cities, the country, laboratories, offices, paddocks or driving high-tech equipment.

So why does the next generation study agriculture and what do they want to do?

This farmer forum speaks to four women at the formative stage of their careers either in university, or just graduated, to get their thoughts on the industry.

• Lucy Crowe, Recently graduated, Naracoorte, South Australia
• Evie Murdoch, Third year agricultural science student, University of Sydney, New South Wales
• Rebecca Dunsmuir, Recently graduated, Bendigo, Victoria
• Laura Bruce, First year agricultural science student, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Why did you choose to study agriculture?

Lucy Crowe: “I chose to study this area as I grew up with animals and production of food in my childhood.

“There was nothing else that really fired up my passions like agriculture does.”

Evie Murdoch: “Originally I studied agriculture at school, an elective subject which I absolutely loved.

“It allowed me to gain skills in an applied science in an area that I didn’t really have any knowledge in already.

“Finishing school meant moving onto the next stage in my life; further education and expanding my knowledge base.

“Agriculture seemed the perfect choice for me as I had by this stage garnered a passion for an industry that is constantly changing and challenged by external forces.

“It was the combination of theoretical knowledge and practical aspects that I found most appealing.

“I could learn from a professional and experienced industry participant and apply my knowledge base in the field to improve production and efficiency.

“It is the new and the innovative elements of agriculture which particularly interest me; technology and innovation, however I do appreciate that these are based on a stable platform of information and understanding about plants, animals, the soils and marketing and business management.

“Finally, I wanted to be a woman in a predominately male dominated arena who can, just as successfully, if not more successfully, perform agricultural functions and tasks.

“I am a city kid, with a passion for agriculture and I want to encourage others to see the importance of our food producers.”

Rebecca Dunsmuir: “Having grown up on a sheep farm my entire life it’s in my blood. I followed dad around the farm like a bad smell for years, but I love the people and the drive of the industry.

“I wanted to work in an industry that is going to constantly challenge me, an industry that is ever changing.

“I wanted to help farmers boost their businesses on the farm and boost their finances and financial knowledge.

“They are all exceptional at what they do, but with additional knowledge, comes big achievements.

“At the time I had no idea of the range of job opportunities, but I soon learnt that once I started university.

“But I loved finance and I loved agriculture, so although I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it at uni, from a science base instead of hands on level, that’s why I chose to study agriculture and absolutely loved it once I began.”

Laura Bruce: “I’ve loved science from a very young age, however as I grew up, I never quite knew how to apply that to a career.

“When it came time to start thinking about university, I realised that I could combine my love of science, animals, and the rural lifestyle all in one if I were to study agriculture.

“From here I’ve learnt about the unlimited number of career paths from an agricultural degree, and my focus has matured beyond livestock into other sub-industries such as policy, representation and looking even further into international agriculture opportunities.

“My interest quickly evolved into a passion, and now I couldn’t imagine being on any other career path.”

Where do you want to work / What do you want to achieve?

Lucy Crowe: “In the future, I would like to be leading a team in a vertically integrated supply chain focused on the sustainable management of land or livestock.”

Evie Murdoch: “Personally, I cannot see myself living on a farm in the near future.

“I believe that there is a lot the city has to offer me in terms of my goals and career in the industry for the time being. There are numerous education and research opportunities available to me in the city and while I am continuing the final years of my studies.

“Recently I have chosen to major in economics and have become more interested in the marketing and business side of agriculture.

“I hope that I can forge a career within that industry and in particular using technology and innovation within business management, marketing and decision making to help improve profitability, reduce costs and increase overall production.

“I am also very passionate about spreading the word about the quality and importance of buying home grown foods.

“That paying a premium for products produced and processed in Australia is something that we should all be looking to do.

“It would be great to see the government encourage this too.

“It will help increase Australian farmers’ share in our own local marketplace and keep farming profitable.

“I would love to play a role in spreading this message and educating future generations about the importance of food production and buying local.”

Rebecca Dunsmuir: “I have just started an agribusiness banking graduate program in Bendigo.

“I absolutely love it so far, as I can assist farmers to grow, sustain and enhance their business.

“I get to work in a rural setting out and about most days and use my passion for finance.

“So I wanted to work in agribusiness banking, help with hedging and forward contacts for commodities, asset finance, capital expansion and growth. The possibilities excite me.”

Laura Bruce: “When I started exploring career options within agriculture, I was surprised to see how many paths there are to explore.

“I’m currently interested in both agricultural policy and international agriculture.

“My dream would be to educate farmers (particularly women) in third world countries to empower them and support their families, which would in turn increase the food security levels for their communities.

“I can see that the key to reducing food insecurity worldwide is by providing education and infrastructure for family farms.

“I do also hold interests in other fields, including politics, genetics and agronomy.

“I would also love to have my own farming business in the future.”

How do you think agriculture is viewed in wider society?

Lucy Crowe: “Generally agriculture doesn’t get a good wrap due to the likes of the media, animal activists and people with limited understanding of the industry.

“This is a major problem as the loudest voice makes the most noise.

“This can be seen in regards to the live export ban. Tears later the ramifications are still being felt by people throughout the supply chain from farms, to transport operators and abattoirs.”

Evie Murdoch: “Unfortunately I think that agriculture is commonly viewed in a negative light, in a doom and gloom fashion. A little negative media never helps either.

“However personally, I am full of a lot more hope!

“I think that there is so many positive aspects out that there that need to be considered.

“The number of students enrolling in ag courses is increasing year by year.

“Even at USYD, where I am the Ag Society secretary, we have increasing numbers of members year-in, year-out who are passionate beyond measure about the need to keep learning about and improving upon studies in agriculture.

“The world in which we live in today is heavily reliant on technology and I think that this is one of the most fascinating areas encroaching upon the industry at the moment.

“Society should be adopting and viewing agriculture as a field in which technology can be applied to improve production and increase output to satisfy consumer desires and preferences.

“If you want to buy local, quality foods and ingredients, then you need to support Australian farming as a consumer too.

“You have to walk the walk at the supermarket, or even better at the local market or farmers’ market. Consumers need to support Australian made products to be able to maintain the industry.

“If they complain about products and foods not being made in Australia, they need to be prepared to pay the premium for Australian made.

“I think that also, as a woman, there is a large predisposition by some members of the industry still, that it should be a male dominated industry.

“I’m out there to prove them wrong!

“What every male can do, I can, or will learn to do it just as well and if not better!”

Rebecca Dunsmuir: “[Agriculture is viewed] in a very ‘uncool’, slow paced, ‘old person’s’ based industry.

“It’s known for producing food, but that’s about it.

“The depth of opportunity, world leading technology, world class production, sustainability, complexity and mental challenge to achieve satisfaction is not known.

“I get overwhelmed with it at times, it’s ridiculous!”

Laura Bruce: “When asking metropolitan citizens what their stereotypical farmer is, I’m often given an image of an older male in a battered old akubra either sitting in the tractor or with his loyal kelpie by his side.

“While the average age of farmers is increasing, there is an entire facet of the industry that consumers just aren’t becoming familiar with.

“We have research scientists, bankers, policy developers, marketers, stock and station agents, shearers, and journalists, to name a few professions within the industry that don’t exclusively involve the use of a tractor or have a median age near retirement.

“In the same way, it’s difficult to see that consumers fully understand how farmers are affected by their everyday choices.

“Buying $1-a-litre milk can affect how supermarkets see their consumers and target markets, which influences farm gate return.

“A percentage of consumers fail to see that for a few extra dollars a week, they can send a message to big companies about how highly they value farmers and their products.

“In my opinion, it’s up to us to give consumers the education they need to make choices to assist agriculture as a whole, and improve their overall perception of agriculture and the people within it.”

What issues is the industry facing that you think needs to be addressed?

Lucy Crowe: “We live in a variable climate zone in Australia; we are a land of floods and drought.

“Long-term drought proofing I believe is an important issue.

“Producers can’t rely on government hand outs as a way to get through droughts as we have in the past.

“They must change management of the land.

“Australian farmland cannot be managed the same way as we have in the past based on past European farm management.”

Evie Murdoch: “Buying locally, increasing education, embracing technology and being more welcoming to women in ag.

“I think there are a number of issues that could use support and further awareness.

“The scope is endless.

“Fertiliser overuse, climate change and increasing weather variability, lack of infrastructure, education opportunities for rural and indigenous students, raising awareness about where food comes from and food miles, water use and preserving our water supply for future generations, declining farm numbers and increasing farmer age, that a farmer can be a her and not a him!

“Drug use in and depression among rural Australians, the issue of low capital and debt collecting, you have to mention coal seam gas too, a current and very topical issue.

“The list goes on and on, however I don’t mention all these in a negative light, a number of the issues are being addressed as we speak and experts working towards goals and solutions.

“I think you really need to look at agriculture with a glass half full attitude; yes there are issues out there, but solutions are possible. I want to help make those solutions!”

Rebecca Dunsmuir: “Agricultural ‘brand Australia’, not ‘dairy Australia’, ‘Gippsland yogurt’ or ‘Australia grain’. We need to be one united front.

“This will be great for lots of factors.

“We are never going to be the food bowl of Asia, but we can produce quality food for Asia and Australia. This would boost exports.

“We need to get ‘brand Australia’ in front of Australians, and youth.

“It’s an industry that needs to be seen as exciting and growing and then we may attract youth.
“As yes, youth in agriculture is a huge problem, both at a science level and hands on farm based level.”

Laura Bruce: “Being such a unique industry, we also face an array of unique challenges; like leaving our livelihoods in the unpredictable hands of mother nature, or attempting to feed double the population with our current amount of arable land.

“However I see that the issue with the simplest solution is providing comprehensive education to all aspects of the community.

“I believe it begins with our youngest consumers.

“We need an effective and supportive primary and secondary education system to begin teaching children where their foods come from and what products they can make.

“Higher education in agriculture for students such as myself must be accessible, affordable and integrated into the industry.

“The statistics show that there is a large amount of job options available to the small number of agricultural graduates coming out of universities around the country every year, but somehow we’re not conveying this to students interested in applicable life sciences.

“To add to this, the current issue of university deregulation is an extra pressure for high school leavers to consider when choosing a career path.

“In this ever evolving industry with such large challenges ahead, it’s crucial that we start securing our innovators, leaders and agriculture professionals for the future.

“We also need to keep educating our current, developed producers and professionals in order to keep up with changing trends.”

Are you watching the Federal Government’s efforts to reform higher education? What effect do you think it will have on agriculture students?

Lucy Crowe: “I have been following the HECS education deregulation although this doesn’t affect me directly, as I have completed my degree.

“These reforms have a strong negative impact on agricultural students.

“Enrolments into agricultural courses are already dropping for a number of reasons including competition from the mining sector, a perception that agriculture is a labour intensive career and now the possible deregulation of HECS.

“An average cost of an agricultural degree is $25,000.

“If the Federal Government passes this reform, costs this will increase to an average $32,000.

“These combined reasons will further push enrolments down and the advancement of agriculture in Australia.”

Evie Murdoch: “As a student currently I am lucky to be so far unaffected by reforms or changes to higher education.

“The Government’s recent attempt to pass the higher reforms through Parliament has only put the reforms back again.

“It looks like reforms may not affect me.

“Additionally, I have been lucky enough to receive scholarships and funding that has helped me throughout my course.

“In the media, there has been much publication that these reforms will not turn students away from studying agriculture; the Government is claiming that due to competition between unis that there will be a competition of prices and that costs of education will remain relatively lower compared to other courses.

“However this is difficult considering that the impact of increased fees probably won’t be felt by us as students until we are paying off our HECS debts which would be higher under the reform.

“How high is unknown. But having to factor in these extra costs on a students or graduate’s budget is a difficult choice.

“I am in a unique situation in which I can live and study at home and on campus.

“However there are a number of ag students who obviously come from a rural background and location and it is the extra fee burden on top of lifestyle costs which are already high, that may turn some potential students away from ag.

“Living away from home, and having increasing debt from your education fees is a daunting thought and may put many potential ag students off tertiary studies in the industry.

“Considering there is already a very high demand for graduates and low numbers of graduates to fill those roles there is a potential for a damaging glut in educated agricultural industry experts.”

Rebecca Dunsmuir: “I think it will have little effect as currently the vast majority of ag students study agriculture as it’s in the family.

“It may deter some but in the vast context of things, it’s marketing and opportunity that will get students to study an agricultural degree.”

Laura Bruce: “This is an issue that I care a lot about.

“To make sure we have professionals and leaders for the future, we have to ensure that education is affordable, in any given field.

“I think it will deter students from commencing university degrees, perhaps opting for TAFE courses instead.

“I can see that it may also cause a trend of school leavers launching straight into work and seeking tertiary education later in life, which would also contribute to the extended working age of professionals.
“This is very worrying for me, and anyone interested in our future generations, it’s difficult enough attracting students to the industry without increasing the cost of education.”

Source: ABC Rural