ALI Briggs is no stranger to agricultural education – but the beef industry-raised mother of three has taken a leap to cotton as Cotton Australia’s new education co-ordinator.
Ali, her husband Cameron, and their children live a Wallumba, Condamine, where Cameron works for McDonald Holdings.
She comes to the role from AgForce, where she worked as a school to industry liaison officer.
She said she was very keen to get started.
“Cotton Australia is an exciting, forward-moving organisation with a focus on the STEM education system,” she said.
“I grew up in Katherine and then we moved to Beaudesert when I was in high school, so I was educated in Brisbane and my background is beef cattle.”
After studying applied science – animal studies at University of Queensland, Ali said her interests have always crossed over between agriculture and education.
Within the role with Cotton Australia, Ali will be managing the education portfolio, which includes the Cotton Classroom webpage which is popular with teachers.
She said she is looking forward to not only working with students, but also teachers and other Cotton Australia staff to spread the cotton message.
“It is a fantastic opportunity and I am looking forward to bringing cotton into the classroom,” she said.
“It’s so important that kids know where their natural fibres come from, but also why the cotton plant itself is not just used for making shirts and jeans.”
