New research into the impact of the Henty Machinery Fields Days on regional Australia is at the heart of a new formal relationship between the premier mixed farming field days and Australia’s leading agricultural educator.

 

Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the Henty Machinery Field Days will formalise the new relationship with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed in Wagga Wagga at 2pm on Friday 13 August.

 

“Charles Sturt University is the largest single provider of agricultural education in Australia,” CSU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Ian Goulter said. “As a result this agreement fits well with our education of agricultural professionals, targeted research and rural extension.”

 

The research project to be conducted by staff and students from the University’s School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences aims to quantify the impact of the Henty Machinery Field Days on visitors, exhibitors, and surrounding communities.

 

Initially the project will involve data collection by Bachelor of Agricultural Science students during the 2010 event. The research is expected to be conducted over more than three years and is expected to involve Honours, Masters and PhD students.

 

In welcoming the new MoU, Head of the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences Associate Professor John Kent said, “This relationship will be a very important part of Charles Sturt University’s engagement with regional communities and farming industries. We look forward to having a significant presence at the Henty Field Days as part of this new agreement and a close association with this important annual rural event.

 

“We welcome the exposure this formal association with the Henty Machinery Field Days will offer Charles Sturt University, including the profile of our courses and research, our students, our graduates and ultimately their employability.”

 

The MoU will be signed during a ceremony from 2pm on Friday 13 August in the Convention Centre at CSU in Wagga Wagga by Dean of the University’s Faculty of Science, Professor Nick Klomp, and Chairman of the Henty Machinery Field Days Coop Ltd, Mr Ross Edwards. 

 

Charles Sturt University accounts for almost 30 per cent of all student enrolments in agriculture-related courses in Australia. Read more about the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU in Orange and Wagga Wagga here.

 

The Henty Machinery Field Days 2010 will be held from Tuesday 21 September until Thursday 23 September. Read more here.