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CHRRUP delivers a third successful LEADAg Youth program across Central Queensland


The LEADAg Youth program developed by CHRRUP in 2021 has successfully graduated a third cohort in 2024, despite funding challenges and several structural changes along the way.


LEADAg is developed and delivered by CHRRUP, a community-owned, central Queensland based profit-for-purpose organisation dedicated to creating thriving, connected rural communities. In 2024 the program was funded by the Queensland Agricultural Workforce Network, an initiative of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and The Local Buying Foundation.


12 participants aged between 15 and 17 years-old, received 14 days (in two one-week blocks) of agricultural exposure, networking, pathway guidance and hands-on training in the Central Highlands and Central West Queensland.


LEADAg provides primarily non-accredited training, delivered mostly by local agribusinesses and primary producers. This year, participants were welcomed onto 13 different properties and local businesses throughout the program and interacted with over 30 mentors (business/property owners, managers and employees).


While in the Central Highlands, participants completed a rural and remote first aid course, discussed biosecurity with staff from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, completed hands-on soil health activities at a local cotton farm, learned about various agricultural careers from our mentors, completed a DiSC workplace personality session, participated in AgTech, biotechnology, pest management and water control demonstrations and travelled to Clermont where they practiced basic working dog skills and low stress stock handling with Frank and Scott Finger (Princess Annie was a crowd favourite)... and everyone had plenty of fun along the way.


The program also incorporated tours of businesses in the supply chain including Vandyke feedlot, Swarm Farm Robotics, Emerald Saleyards, Fairbairn Dam facilities and the Emerald Cotton Gin.


Program content in the Longreach area included water bug testing, a veterinary careers discussion with local vet Cassie Nelson, having a go at small motor maintenance and fencing, additional cattle management practice, an AgTech water management activity at OPS Australia, horsemanship basics, and wool harvesting with Australian Wool Innovation trainers.


Every session was inspiring and insightful due to the dedication of our fantastic mentors and hosts.


“We love being able to support and be a part of a program that connects young people with amazing opportunities, and to help them start building a network of like-minded people,” said Longreach region mentors Toby and Georgia Whip of Leander Station.


The LEADAg Youth alumnus has grown to 34-strong after three years of the program. The alumni can be found droving across Queensland, studying agricultural courses at university, working as station hands on properties across central and western Queensland, citrus farming in NSW and even broadacre farming in WA, just to name a few.


Having gained employment in the ag industry since finishing school, 2023 LEADAg Youth graduate Riley Swanson touched base with CHRRUP.


“I can’t believe how often things I learned at LEADAg come in handy, especially with working dogs and sheep. I really do appreciate all I learned that I otherwise would not have known.”


CHRRUP is hoping to open even more positions up to this age group in 2025, pending funding arrangements and logistics.

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