The University of New England’s (UNE) on-campus Clark’s Farm is undergoing a grand transformation that will help to ensure the next generation of agriculturalists are equipped to deal with the impacts of future droughts.
The Clark’s Farm redevelopment is a facet of the joint $1.39 million Empowering Gen Z project between UNE and Charles Sturt University, which is funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, and will provide students with a purpose-built location for learning about resilient and sustainable farming systems.
The redevelopment includes the installation of new sheep yards, state-of-the-art water infrastructure, and the addition of two containment feeding areas, exposing students to best-practice management strategies.
In addition, the farm will utilise contemporary software tools, such as Ag360, to prepare for future climate conditions.
Project lead, Ms Lu Hogan, says the project will ensure UNE’s students are well-prepared for their future careers working in the agricultural industry.
Image: Lu Hogan is leading the 'Empowering Generation Z' project.
“Climate change and variability are realities in Australian farming systems and this will only increase with the impacts of climate change.
“Clark’s Farm provides the opportunity for students to develop their skills in considering the production system as a whole and the impacts of management decisions on key parameters that influence business performance.”
Not only will the revamped teaching facility expose students to best-practice farm management systems, but it will provide them with access to monitoring data for projects and assignments in a range of agricultural disciplines.
Opportunities for students to undertake paid internships under the guidance of Ms Hogan are also available.
“Clark’s Farm is just over the road from the Armidale campus, which means students at all levels of study will be able to easily access the facility to collect data, such as animal weights, conditions scores, soil test results, and pasture assessments, and compare these best-practice results to industry average treatments,” Ms Hogan says.
“Graduates from UNE will leave the university with a much greater understanding of the complexities and challenges in managing a grazing system for sustainability and drought resilience.”
Image: A student during a practical lesson at the UNE Clark's Farm.
Additionally, parts of the farm will be planted with native tree species to accommodate local koala populations that are known to frequent the campus and its surrounds.
“Including koala habitat plantings in the farm design at Clark’s Farm provides an important example to students of how production and environmental goals can be complementary.
“The plantings at Clark’s Farm will provide shade and shelter to livestock, increase biodiversity generally as well as providing habitat for koalas.”
Work is currently underway, with all infrastructure expected to be installed by the end of 2023.
If you are interested in undertaking a paid internship in 2024, please contact Lu Hogan at lhogan22@une.edu.au
