Placements grow understanding

Birchip Cropping Group is offering Wimmera and Mallee science students a chance to connect with farmers through a work experience program.

University of Melbourne fourth-year student Annie Yu has joined the BCG team, sharing the group’s passion for food security, sustainability and the desire to apply science practically.

BCG founding members Ian and Anne McClelland hosted Ms Yu, which allowed her to gain a holistic understanding of how science is applied on farms.

“My first work experience placement was a study I completed in Indonesia with a nongovernment organisation to learn more about food security,” she said.

“Being in the rice fields and talking with farmers cemented, for me, that I want to be working on the ground, with those who grow our food.” This experience brought Ms Yu to BCG.

She said she did not want to feel separated from farmers, which made BCG an easy choice for her second placement.

BCG also recently hosted Birchip P-12 School agricultural students Claire Bennett, year 11, and Torey Atkinson, year 10.

During the experience the students weighed and packed seeds with senior manager of research Dr Yolanda Plowman and operations manager Genevieve Clarke.

The students also learned how BCG trials were sown and the importance of research.

Dr Plowman said BCG valued its role in providing positive, hands-on experiences for both secondary and university students and was privileged that so many students chose to complete work experience at BCG.

– Ayva

Robertson