Teachers from all across the Central Highlands got to experience the diverse agricultural industries of the region earlier this month as part of the Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association 'Teach the Teacher Tour', in conjunction with Cotton Australia.
The tour attracted a group of 60 educators, ranging from pre-primary to secondary, coming from as far afield as Moranbah.
Underpinned with Cotton Australia’s curriculum-linked topics and their Cotton Classroom, the group travelled through Emerald's western irrigation area to visit Rob and Danni Ingram at Avondale for afternoon tea, a look into big agricultural machines, a quick agronomy lesson and a siphon-starting competition.
The adventure continued to 2PH Farms where Bindi Pressler gave a guided tour of their brand new automotive packing plant for mandarins, limes, lemons and grapes.
Teachers left with armfuls of fresh lemons and travelled onto the final destination, Fairbairn Dam.
Despite water levels being at 12 per cent the dam looked spectacular with a sunset view as Jason Smith from Sunwater explained the ins and outs of the irrigation system.
The Teach the Teacher Tour wrapped up with just over a 100 educators and agricultural industry members connecting over a delicious BBQ hosted by the Rotary.