Agriculture students are connecting practical skills with bigger questions about food production, animal welfare and technology, supported by Monaro expertise and opportunities to learn beyond the school gate.
Caring for livestock, assessing wool quality and growing vegetables give Agriculture students at Snowy Mountains Grammar School more than practical experience. They provide opportunities to investigate how food and fibre are produced, why particular farming decisions matter and how agriculture might meet future challenges.
For Agriculture teacher Amber Oakman, the ambition is “to inspire students to change the world”.
Just over 20 students study Agriculture across Years 9 to 12, combining classroom studies with livestock husbandry, horticulture, aquaponics and beekeeping. Local producers and industry specialists contribute knowledge that helps students connect their daily responsibilities with the wider industry.
Daily care leads to Sydney Royal success
This year, months of poultry care culminated in the School being named Most Successful Exhibitor in the School Commercial Egg Laying Competition at the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Starting with six young Hy-Line hens, students monitored health and egg production, developed handling skills and selected three birds for competition. Poultry expert Jim Fletcher guided their preparation, explaining the characteristics judges assess and how careful handling helps minimise animal stress.
Following successes at Dalgety and Cooma shows, the School placed fifth for poultry, second for eggs and third for its educational poster at Sydney Royal. The combined result recognised both the quality of the entries and students’ ability to communicate their learning.
Understanding the decisions behind production
Preparing sheep for the NSW School Merino Wether Challenge brought similar lessons about the relationship between animal care and production outcomes.
With support from Monaro producers and agricultural specialists, students learnt about nutrition, handling, wool and carcase assessment. Practical experiences included developing a feeding plan, drenching and preparing animals for showing.
Reflecting on the challenge, students identified how genetics, nutrition, seasonal conditions and stress could influence wool quality. Conversations with industry professionals also helped them understand processing and discover careers beyond the farm.
Senior students extended that perspective during Riverina visits to farms, livestock markets, food processors, equipment manufacturers and Charles Sturt University. These experiences connected agricultural production with technology, manufacturing, marketing and further study.
Locally, Year 12 students worked with Adam Digby at Kosciuszko Wild Venison to explore meat quality assessment and processing.
Growing skills and exploring possibilities
At school, students follow horticultural projects from planting through to assessment. Year 9 and 10 students grew and harvested daffodils from more than 60 bulbs donated by judge David Graham, with judging forming part of their Term 3 studies.
Winter vegetable crops, two beehives and a Snowy Hydro-supported aquaponics setup provide further opportunities to observe, investigate and apply their knowledge.
The Young Auctioneers Program, supported by Tim Schofield from Cooma Elders, adds public speaking, numeracy and presentation skills to that practical foundation.
Looking ahead, Ms Oakman wants students to explore how emerging technologies could improve yields, manage production costs and address food security. Their work in the school yards and garden beds provides a starting point for understanding those bigger questions.
Explore the gallery below to see our Agriculture students learning at school, in the community and beyond the school gate.
