As we look around the agriculture industry and see all the farmers, agronomists, educators, regional leaders and so many more – there's a good chance, a really great teacher helped ignite that passion and learn the skills to succeed. As an ag-teacher, you can often be the very first person to inspire a future industry leader. To learn more about cultivating agricultural careers, Amanda McClaren, a former Mayor, now from Victoria's Seymour College joins me now.
- Amanda shares her favourite regional place—her own chicken farm, where she loves experiencing the surrounding wildlife and natural environment.
- In 2022, Amanda joined the teaching profession and shares what inspired her career shift.
- Amanda takes us inside Seymour College's 15-acre agricultural campus and the school's growing agriculture program.
- Passionate about inspiring the next generation, Amanda explains the philosophy behind her mantra, "You can't be what you can't see."
- She shares some of her students' experiences and how early exposure to agriculture can influence future career paths.
- Amanda discusses how city schools can connect with agricultural schools to give students greater exposure to the industry.
- The challenges students face accessing agricultural education early, and Amanda's push for greater opportunities and a dedicated agricultural high school in Victoria. From growing vegetables to creating meal packs, Amanda shares some of the practical agricultural experiences happening at the school.
- Amanda offers advice for city schools wanting to incorporate meaningful agricultural education into their classrooms.
- Amanda shares Seymour College's involvement in the National Ag Day campaign and a simple soil-health experiment that can introduce agriculture into any classroom. Amanda shares what she loves most about teaching—seeing students' eyes light up and watching their perceptions of agriculture change.
- She reflects on common misconceptions students have about agriculture, as well as some of the assumptions she held herself.
- One of the most unexpected parts of Amanda's journey has been the conversations she's had and the connections she's made along the way.
- Looking to the future, Amanda hopes the work extends beyond herself and Seymour College, with the ultimate dream of a dedicated agricultural school in Victoria.
We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram
Seymour College
Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn
Produced by Pretty Podcasts
