State Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp announced on Monday that applications were open for the government’s $5.5 million Secondary Schools Agriculture Fund, which would support schools, industry groups and community organisations in northern Victoria to inspire students into local agricultural careers.
“This program is all about making sure students in northern Victoria have real-world opportunities to make the most of existing and emerging agriculture and horticulture career pathways,” Mr Gepp said.
The fund will support Victorian schools and the sector to raise awareness of the opportunities available in agriculture, uplift agriculture teaching capability and offer more opportunities within schools for students to develop the skills they need to transition into modern careers in agriculture.
Funding will be available for a range of agriculture education activities such as designing programs, engaging with local industry, purchasing equipment and other needs schools have in order to deliver quality agriculture studies.
This boost will help meet the growing demands of the local agriculture sector, and provide innovative young workers with digital, business and marketing skills, as well as food and fibre entrepreneurs who can take products to international markets.
Applications for the Secondary Schools Agriculture Fund’s Schools and Place-based stream will close on June 24.
For more information, visit vic.gov.au/secondary-schools-agriculture-fund
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