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Press Releases Get “in the zone” for the alternative farming adventure The NMIT Ag Zone is a dedicated space on the Expo site, launched successfully at last year’s event, where leading experts will deliver a comprehensive seminar program and practical demonstrations on topics of interest to the small holding owner. In its second year as a major supporter of the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo (SAFE), NMIT will expand its “Ag Zone” seminar program to include sessions on alternative livestock enterprises and the challenges faced by Victoria’s aquaculture industry. Sessions will also be presented on the management of small cattle enterprises and the value of dung beetles in the ‘recycling’ of animal manure. This year NMIT has added sessions on alternative livestock enterprises such as Boer goats and Dorper sheep. Owners of small holdings can also benefit from presentations on basic chainsaw maintenance and choosing the right poultry breed. NMIT aquaculture expert Andrew Christie will give an overview of Victoria’s aquaculture industry and examine the challenges faced by one of Australia’s fastest growing primary industries. In addition to speakers selected from NMIT’s expert academic staff, the seminar program will feature speakers from other organisations like the Goat Breeders’ Association of Australia and Australian Lowline Cattle Society. “This program is designed to offer something for everyone involved in owning and operating a small holding. The Ag Zone will also feature a display on NMIT’s “Green Centre of Excellence”, a state-of-the-art training centre for green technologies, currently under construction at our Epping campus,” says Mr Pappin. There will be a number of interactive displays within the Ag Zone including a mechanical horse, and sections on aquaculture and hydroponics. A children’s activity area, themed around the care of animals, will be open on Saturday and Sunday. Also new to the program this year is a display by the NMIT horticulture department featuring information on courses in landscape, turf irrigation, horticulture and arboriculture. Along with NMIT’s Ag Zone seminar program and interactive displays, the Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society will present a series of practical livestock demonstrations throughout the three-day event, featuring cattle, alpacas and horses. NMIT staff will be on hand to answer queries and provide information about primary industry-related courses at the Faculty of Earth Sciences display site, such as beef breeding and handling, animal nutrition, sheep and cattle husbandry, pasture management and grazing, farm fencing, introduction to tractors, wool classing and meat processing. NMIT offers a range of short courses as well as certificates, diplomas and degrees in agriculture and land management, equine studies, aquaculture, and viticulture and winemaking. NMIT is a leading provider of education and training to the Victorian agricultural sector and the Institute’s expertise across a range of agricultural and horticultural operations will ensure the programs on offer at the Ag Zone are topical and relevant to owners of small holding enterprises. The NMIT seminar program will start at 11am daily. The full program can be downloaded by visiting the NMIT website at www.nmit.edu.au. For more details, phone (03) 5799 1211, fax (03) 5799 1311 or email admin@seymour-expo.com
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