| Higher Education fee rise a threat to Agriculture Friday, 6th January 2012 A call to raise the fees for agricultural courses at university by up to 25% has alarmed the Victorian Famers Federation Young Agribusiness Professionals (YAPS).Aaron Sanderson, YAPs committee Chair, said that he was amazed at the Higher Education Base Funding Review recommendation, given the recent Inquiries into agricultural education highlighting the need for skilled workers."Increasing the fees for agricultural courses when the industry is already experiencing a lack of skilled workers is ridiculous."With 2012 being the Australian Year of the Farmer, this is the ideal time for the Federal Government to demonstrate that it values agriculture as an industry and for its role in food security for this country".Raising the fees for agricultural courses will have a detrimental impact into future enrolments, Mr Sanderson said."Many of our members have said that education is already pricing itself out of the market for those who wish to study agriculture. Increasing the fees further will place further limits on those who want to get an agricultural degree."If we want to have a strong and healthy industry that's sustainable long term, we need to ensure that agricultural students aren't priced out of the industry because they can't afford to study."The Government must reject these recommendations and focus on making agriculture a national priority" Mr Sanderson said. |
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| Young Agribusiness Professionals' conference to explore the future of agriculture Friday, 23rd September 2011 Young professionals working in agriculture in Victoria are invited to attend a weekend conference in the Dandenong Ranges to share their views on the future of farming. Hosted by the Young Agribusiness Professionals' (YAPS), a subsidiary of the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), the Ready for Tomorrow conference will tackle a wide range of issues affecting young farmers and agricultural professionals in Victoria. Andrew Broad, President of the VFF, has encouraged all young people who work in agriculture to attend the event. "The YAPs conference aims to highlight many of the opportunities and challenges facing agriculture today. Issues such as carbon tax, regional mental health and climate change will all be on the table for discussion. Aaron Sanderson, YAPs Committee Chair, said that the conference is designed to encourage young people in regional areas to continue to innovate and to make a positive impact on the future of agriculture in Victoria. "The Victorian Government's recent stamp duty exemption for young farmers demonstrates that the state is serious about investing in agriculture as an industry. "The conference will look to build on the business skills of delegates, with workshops on marketing, investing and farm finance. "It is an excellent opportunity to meet with other people from around the state, share ideas and discuss issues which will affect the next generation of Victorian farmers." Speakers include Andrew Smith, Rural Finance; David Griffin, Department of Primary Industries and Rick Roush, Dean of Melbourne University School of Land and Environment, and Tim McRae from MLA on market outlooks. There will also be a panel discussion featuring Minister for Agriculture and Food Security and former VFF President, Peter Walsh; current VFF President Andrew Broad and YAPs committee members. The YAPs Ready for Tomorrow conference and black tie gala dinner will be held at A Country Place Retreat in the Dandenong Ranges from 21-23 October 2011. For further information about the conference, or to access a registration form, please call the VFF on 1300 882 883 or visit www.vff.org.au. |
