Agriculture at SMGS in 2025: Growing Skills and Opportunities
Agriculture at Snowy Mountains Grammar School continues to flourish in 2025, with students taking part in practical projects that connect classroom learning with real-world agricultural systems. In this Spotlight Staff Interview, Agriculture Teacher Amber Oakman shares the exciting initiatives shaping the year, how the program has evolved, and why agricultural education is vital for the next generation.
Agriculture at SMGS has been growing each year—what are some of the exciting projects or initiatives in the pipeline for students this year?
This year, SMGS students can look forward to some exciting agricultural projects, such as the NSW School Merino Wether Challenge in Dubbo, the Yabby Aquaponics Project and the Honey Bee and Pollination Unit. These hands-on initiatives are designed to offer students deeper insights into agricultural systems and their interconnectedness, providing them with valuable learning experiences and life skills in a real-world context.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Agriculture and what do you love most about teaching it?
My passion for Agriculture stems from the field’s real-world applications, where theoretical knowledge meets practical problem-solving. I enjoy teaching Agriculture because it allows me to share my enthusiasm for sustainable environmental management, assist with plant and animal management and the development of innovative technologies, while also helping students develop critical skills to tackle real-world challenges and make a sustained and meaningful impact.
How have you seen Agriculture evolve at SMGS and what impact has it had on students?
Agriculture at SMGS has grown significantly, especially in terms of student engagement, community partnerships and providing real-world experiences such as the paddock-to-plate approach from the school garden, and poultry, sheep and cattle enterprises. These initiatives have helped students grow both academically and personally, giving them a deeper understanding of agricultural systems while fostering a strong sense of community and responsibility.
Why do you think agricultural education is so important for young people today?
Agricultural education is crucial for developing important soft skills, such as communication and community engagement, that are essential in a professional environment. It also encourages students to address global challenges like food security, pest management, biosecurity and the creation of innovative solutions to real-world problems—skills that will benefit them in many fields and help shape a sustainable future.
If you could see one big change or achievement in Agriculture at SMGS over the next few years, what would it be?
I would love to see the ongoing development and acquisition of resources to aid the expansion of Agriculture in alignment with student interest, whether this be the development of hydroponic shipping containers that would allow the school to grow all its fresh vegetables and salad produce for the boarding house and canteen in a large indoor environmentally controlled room, or the establishment and operation of a stud farm and show team with award-winning animals.
What advice would you give to students who want to get involved in Agriculture?
I encourage students to give Agriculture a try because it offers a wide range of career opportunities across various fields: plant and animal production, genetics, food production, sustainability, ecology, technological design and innovation, and drone and tractor driving. No two days in Agriculture are the same and it’s a dynamic field that provides endless possibilities for growth and innovation across multiple sectors.
What’s something surprising about Agriculture that most people wouldn’t expect?
A surprising fact about Agriculture is that for every graduate in an agricultural pathway, there are six available jobs across a diverse range of industries. The demand for skilled professionals in this field is vast and the career prospects are broader than many people realise.