The VCE Ag&Hort class have been busy this term with a number of excursions to experience hands on learning and consolidate their knowledge via different means for Unit 4. The first field trip for AOS1 (Sustainable Land Management) included testing a variety of water sources for quality. They then analysed this data to determine any potential issues with the water quality if being used for agriculture production.

For AOS2 (Sustainable Business practices), the students travelled to Mallee Hay in Ultima where Dietrich and Rob Ford welcomed them and showed them throughout the site. This included being inducted and signed in, observing the Hay being processed and pressed from 3 large bales into compact 50kg or 25kg bales which is then packed and wrapped to export overseas. Next they saw where the grain is sampled that is also packed into smaller containers for export, assessed their own Hay sample and listened to Rob discuss marketing strategies, quality assurance and challenges and opportunities along the supply chain.

After grabbing some lunch, we then went to Sunny Boy Fruits in Woorinen, where Melissa explained how they grow and export stone fruits. However they are in their final season of this and have changed to growing pistachios and harvested their first crop last year. We thank Rob, Dietrich and Melissa for giving up their time and discussing these topics to assist us with preparing for our final SAC.