ABOUT 70 students were at Crystal Brook Showground a day early to get insight into the world of judging.
Students from St Marks College, Port Pirie, and Gladstone High School took part in the inaugural Crystal Brook Show education day.
Show president Ashley Reddin said this idea had been in the planning process for about two years and he was hoping to see it grow from here.
"I'd like to grow Crystal Brook Show into a two-day show eventually, and aim it at school students on Friday for education," he said.
"We're trying to get youth more involved in our show and in agriculture within the region, to try and keep them in the region."
The students got to learn about judging wool, Merinos and beef cattle, as well as trying their hand at judging barley, beans and wheat.
On hand to mark the occasional of the first event was Member for Narrungga Fraser Ellis, on behalf of Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone.
Mr Fraser said agriculture played a significant part in the overall state economy and it was important youth were also involved in that.
He said as part of the government's Regional Development Strategy, he would like to address the issue of young people leaving regional Australia, post-school years, by making sure there were plenty of educational opportunities in rural areas.
Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
