More than 100 Year 11 agriculture students and teachers gathered on the property “Delwood” to get their hands dirty to solve natural resource, biosecurity and sustainable agricultural issues.

NW LLS’ Col Easton said the property presented the students with some “very real challenges” but they were supported by land services staff with materials, first-hand field experience and in-class lessons.

“At the field days, the participating students and teachers move from work station to work station gathering information about soils, vegetation types, water conditions and current management practices,” he said. 

“The students then take this information back to school where they prepare their property plans for the “Delwood” property for entry into the competition.

“The students really do benefit from the practical approach to the Schools Property Planning Competition. They are presented with a real farm situation with real issues and resources to manage.”

The senior land services officer said property planning was a “key tool” in managing natural resources sustainably and securing a “financial future and quality of life”.

“They actually had some very promising students which I'm looking forward to seeing their results,” he said.

Mr Easton said many past participants went on to pursue careers in the agricultural sector.

Supported by Catchment Action NSW, the free competition has been running for 20 years and offers teachers an innovative way to help senior agriculture students study physical processes and sustainable farm management practices through the property planning process.

Participants pretend they are a team of consultants who have been asked by a landholder to prepare a property plan on a real life property, ensuring that it is run as an economically and ecologically sustainable business.

For more information, contact Col Easton on 6764 5940 or 0408 802 578.