When Jasmine saw an agricultural graduate position advertised in her hometown, she knew she had to do everything she could to get the role.
Based at MSF Sugar Pty Ltd’s Mulgrave Mill, Jasmine has been working in their Project Uplift team which facilitates practice change for growers. Towards the end of her contract, she shifted into a productivity role assisting with disease, pest, and maturity projects.
“I’ve worked in casual positions in a range of agricultural industries and locations. I’ve always wanted to come back home but never thought I’d find a career here.”
The Mulgrave Mill is in Gordonvale, half an hour drive south of Cairns. The job, through the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program, has given Jasmine the opportunity to reintegrate herself into her hometown life, and she has been enjoying the connection with family, community, rivers, and the rainforest.
“I now drive a ute around collecting samples from the same paddocks that I rode my push bike around as a kid.”
Jasmine studied Environmental Science and did an internship in an agricultural extension role. She knew she wanted to work in extension and has been enjoying learning the role. “A role in extension has everything that I’m looking for. It has a great balance of getting out and getting your hands dirty with field work, working with people, and continuous learning from data and science.”
Jasmine was motivated to work in agricultural extension because she is passionate about enabling changes and solutions in rural communities.
“Growers are really passionate about what they do, they want to see the sugarcane industry stay viable and sustainable. I feel like there’s lots of opportunities to make a difference by assisting the growers to make the changes they want.”
By the end of the program, Jasmine is confident that she is well situated for a career in sugarcane. She is keen to continue working in the industry and building her confidence as an extension officer.
The Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program is delivered by the Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance (led by QFF) and funded by the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program.