Preparing farmers with practical experience
3/5/2017
James Anderson is a typical example of what the future of Australian Agricultural leadership looks like. The 22-year-old from Ocean Grove in Victoria is tech-savvy, innovative and hard working and has his eyes set on a career in corporate farm management.
James Anderson is a typical example of what the future of Australian Agricultural leadership looks like. The 22-year-old from Ocean Grove in Victoria is tech-savvy, innovative and hard working and has his eyes set on a career in corporate farm management.
“There are so many investors buying up key properties in Australia that the opportunities in corporate farming are growing significantly,” James said.
James, born in England, now lives on the Bellarine Peninsula and spent two years working on a cattle station near Mt Isa in northwest Queensland, and on an intensive grazing property in Gippsland, before he started his Bachelor of Business (Agriculture) Degree at Marcus Oldham College.
James spent eight months last year on a cropping and cattle property on the Liverpool Plains as part of the degree. This was followed by three months on a cropping property near Hay also in NSW.
Dr Simon Livingstone is the principal of the College and said it was exciting to see classroom theory put into practice for agricultural enterprises.
“At Marcus Oldham, we’re focused on developing the next generation of industry leaders,” Dr Livingstone said. “This means working closely with key industry players to provide our students with the best possible opportunities to gain experience in the agricultural sector.”
Marcus Oldham offers three courses at its Geelong campus — Bachelor of Business (Agriculture), Bachelor of Business (Agribusiness) and a one-year Diploma of Equine Management.
Practical placement is a component of each course, as is the Marcus Oldham pre-entry year — a valuable year of working in industry prior to studying at Marcus.
For James, the management and practical skills he learnt while on his placement have been crucial.
“The practical year allows you to work on what is taught in first year and apply the knowledge on farm,” he said. “I think it’s one of the best things Marcus Oldham offers.”
Marcus Oldham’s next Open Day is Sunday, August 13 from 10am to 2.30pm.
