Dairy farmers and education providers have joined forces in North East Victoria to encourage local secondary students to consider a career in dairying and agriculture. As part of the Alpine Valleys Dairy Pathways Project, local farmers, Charles Sturt University (CSU) and GOTAFE have met with school principals investigate how they can facilitate more agricultural education to be incorporated into school curricula. Alpine Valley dairy farmer and project committee member Mr Scott McKillop believes the North-East has many profitable and resilient farm businesses in the region. "Farming has been the backbone of the area for many years and should continue to be into the future because of the quality of the land and water resources we have available," Mr McKillop said. Staff from CSU, GOTAFE and the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia in Wangaratta want to see more dairy farms and milk production in the Alpine Valleys and believe the solution lies in local schools. Course director with CSU's School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Dr Yann Guisard, wants teachers, parents and students in primary and high schools to grow in their understanding of agricultural careers and their importance to the local economy.