A high school on the outskirts of Brisbane might be the last place you'd expect to find future farmers but it's just become one of only four state schools in Queensland actively offering a certificate three in agriculture.
Dakabin State High School, north of Brisbane, currently has 17 students enrolled in its new higher level ag studies, which teachers believe will better equip them for employment opportunities.
Deputy principal Rae Ellis said since the closure of agriculture colleges in Queensland, there had been a huge gap in the training opportunities for young people interested in the industry.
"We find that within industry, the certificate three level is a base for employment so that's why we have moved into that," she said.
General agriculture studies begin at the school from grade seven with 400 of the 1100 students enrolled in some level of the subject, giving them access to work with the school's own stud beef and sheep and attend local and royal shows.
Head of agriculture, Fiona Lester, said kids often travelled long distances to be a part of their agriculture program.
"We've had quite a lot of enquiry around whether we could introduce it (certificate three)," she said.
"...because there is nothing like it around Brisbane in terms of agriculture and pathways and because it's such a skills shortage area and we are on the outer fringe of Brisbane itself, it lends itself nicely.
"We have quite a lot of students that go out west and work on properties or go to uni and study ag science or veterinary degrees so to be able to offer it to our clientele free of charge, is such a bonus."
Despite their city location, students don't lake any enthusiasm with 25 youngsters usually on hand for cattle training at 7.30am before school.
Dalby is one of the other state schools that feature certificate three in agriculture in their scope.
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Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
