Warialda's Ardina Jackson will spend four weeks in Canada exploring the country's best agricultural practices.
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As an Armidale TAFE graduate Ardina won a big brother movement youth support award last year allowing her the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Ardina expressed her excitement of travelling overseas for the very first time in a statement.
"Not only will I be traveling overseas for the first time, but I can't wait to explore agricultural practices, in depth, across many industry levels.
"I'll be heading to Alberta to look at precision agriculture, businesses, seed breeding, canola production, research and trials.
"After that I'll head to Saskatoon and then Regina. My visit to Saskatoon will provide access to some entrepreneurs, university lectures and weed research scientists, while in Regina, I'll be attending a conference on innovation, machinery, technology, young farmers and women's empowerment in agribusiness.
"Hopefully my Canadian travels provide answers to questions I want, and need, in relation to sustainable future food and fibre production. The focus of my learning will be around resilience to climate change and what ideas can be adapted to Australian production."
The trip will conclude a huge 12 months for the talented young agronomist, who graduated with a Diploma in Agriculture and an Advanced Diploma in Agribusiness Management before she claimed the TAFE NSW Industry Achievement Excellence Award for Agribusiness in 2018, one of the most prestigious awards available at Australia's largest training provider.
"Ardina was a great student because she had both agricultural production skills and agribusiness management skills. In my 25 years' teaching experience, I have observed that there are very few students who possess high-level skills in both areas," TAFE NSW agriculture teacher, Paddy Fagan, said.
"Ardina will be the perfect role model for Australian agronomists as she represents our producers overseas.
She will share the knowledge she gains in Canada with both her clients, colleagues and her TAFE NSW teachers so that everyone will gain from this experience.
"With Australian Government statistics revealing that less than one in five agronomists and agriculture industry workers are female, Ardina is also a great example that women can be very successful in industries such as agriculture."
Ardina, who will leave for Canada on May 20, said this opportunity would not have been possible without the support and mentorship that is available at TAFE NSW.
