South Australian schools will receive an ongoing boost to their agriculture programs following confirmation the lead ag teacher position will continue to be funded by industry.
Now in its third year, the lead ag teacher – currently Sue Pratt through AgCommunicators – will be co-funded by both the grain and livestock industries through the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT) and Sheep Industry Fund (SIF).
The role is designed to support schools to teach and implement agriculture throughout their curriculum more effectively.
Sue has visited Eyre Peninsula schools as part of her role – including Cummins, Tumby Bay, Kimba, Cleve, Karcultaby and Wudinna area schools – to discuss agricultural programs.
A registered teacher with extensive experience with food and fibre curriculum development and delivery at school, departmental and South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) levels, Sue said it was great to have the support of the grain and livestock industries to continue the program.
“Since the role was established in October 2022, I have visited more than 60 schools across SA and directly supported 117 teachers,” she said.
“This has resulted in 19 schools from both metropolitan and regional areas adding agriculture to their programs.
“We know agriculture is facing a critical skills gap in the future, which is why it is so important that schools are supported to deliver engaging and relevant agriculture programs and encourage students to seriously consider ag as a career path.”
Agriculture Teachers Association of SA (ATASA) president Damien Brookes said the program had been a game-changer for schools across SA.
“Having ongoing funding for the lead ag teacher role provides us with confidence that our members will have tailored support to connect to education resources and industry contacts so that their programs are continually improving,” he said.
“As many of our members are in regional areas, having access to Sue’s expertise at their own site means ag teachers are receiving professional development without having to travel and be out of their schools.
“Sue works with their team to review and strengthen their ag curriculum and they learn how to utilise their facilities effectively.”
In addition to school visits, Sue has also delivered 14 professional development sessions attended by 340 teachers.
She has also aided teachers with curriculum review and planning, SACE support and in-class sessions, assessment design and resource development.
Livestock SA chairperson Gillian Fennell said the livestock industry recognised the important role of the lead ag teacher in promoting agriculture as the career path of choice in South Australian schools.
“It is critical that we continue to support ag teachers and equip them with the skills, networks, resources and planning to underpin successful teaching and inspire students who are engaged in best practice agriculture,” she said.
“The lead ag teacher plays a critical role in helping attract and retain ag teachers, who are on the front line of encouraging students to learn about ag, and then be inspired to move into an ag career.”
SAGIT chairperson Dr Andrew Barr said the grains industry had long seen the value in the program, having funded the pilot year in 2022-23.
“SAGIT – and the grain industry more broadly – has a deep appreciation of the challenges faced by the primary industries sector in getting people to fill key positions both pre and post-farmgate,” he said.
“We are proud to once again be funding a program that inspires and connects with teachers and students across SA to lift the profile of agriculture in schools.
“It’s such an important program that will contribute to helping us solve the well-publicised skills shortage the industry is facing.”
Schools looking to utilise the lead ag teacher can do so by contacting Sue at sue.pratt@agcommunicators.com.au.
