When Tiffany’s Principal recommended she try studying Agriculture at TAFE, neither of them could have expected it would result in Tiffany having a scholarship to study farming in the UK for three months!
An Agribusiness Manager advises a series of clients, usually farm managers, in how to best manage their finances. And it’s what Tiffany Burdack wants to be. “Instead of me being the little person, I’m the big person.” She laughs.
In completing her Diploma of Agriculture at TAFE, she qualified for the BBM Frank Mansell award for Agriculture – and now she has a scholarship to study farming practices overseas.
Her scholarship allows her to go to the UK for three months.
The agriculture practices in the UK would be very different, Tiffany says. “I’m just hoping to learn something and maybe bring it back to Australia.” The weather will be very different, it will alter what to grow, and when. In addition to this, the way they market is also different. “Some things will be the same. But we’re pretty unique over here!”
Tiffany hopes to check out the sheep studs, some Ag Colleges and have a look at Marketing in the UK. “They have such tiny farms over there! And it’ll be the middle of winter, so there’ll be no cropping – and all the sheep will be housed.”
How she got started
Tiffany started the study of Agriculture in high school, then took two years before going to university – in which she studied a Diploma in Agriculture. “TAFE was awesome – it opens so many doors,” Tiffany says. “You’re a qualified farm manager when you finish – I just wanted to do more studies.”
Currently, Tiffany is studying a Bachelor of Science, in Agriculture. Her scholarship travels are during her University holidays.
“The best part of the TAFE diploma is that when you do the university degree, you are credited – and I saved a year from my degree – and something like $17,000 in HECS fees.”
It’s also been challenging working out where she wants to go in the agriculture industry – while she’s intending to go into agribusiness, she’s also really quite interested in livestock. “That’s why I didn’t do a Agribusiness degree, but did a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture – so it would be more general and I’d be able to choose from a whole variety of things, not just stick to one job.”
When she studied at TAFE, one day a week was practical studies. She enjoyed working with livestock more than crops – and had the opportunity to experience hands-on work in the industry, so trying her hand at shearing, drenching sheep and crutching.
Personal Qualities?
You need to be dedicated to agriculture, have a genuine interest in it, be a people person, be a bit cluey about it and be open to ideas.
Advice?
Get a piece of paper. Like a TAFE course. You have to show you can do it, and want to further your learning. If it’s where you want to be, then it’s where you want to be.
Print Page
