A fourth grains intern has begun a program on the Eyre Peninsula that is giving agriculture students first hand experience of what it's like to work in the industry's research sector.
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Funded by the SA Grains Industry Trust and SA Drought Hub, and offered in partnership with AIR EP and EPAG Research, three interns have completed the one-year program since it was established in 2021.
AIR EP executive officer Naomi Scholz said the program offered agriculture graduates valuable experience, while contributing to local research and attracting skilled people into local careers.
"The program gives our interns the opportunity to learn as much as possible about being a grains researcher, to experience different farming systems and develop their networks across the EP," Ms Scholz said.
"Interns also contribute to research across our region by identifying a suitable research question, designing and running their own trial to investigate, analysing the results and presenting their findings to farmers.
"They're also learning about ongoing research by working alongside our research teams in on-ground trials, attending local farming and environment events, and meeting farmers and advisors to learn about local issues and opportunities to address through research, development and extension."
The three past interns have all stayed on the Eyre Peninsula to work.
Rhaquelle Meiklejohn works for EPAG Research as a research officer, Rebekah Fatchen works for AIR EP as a project officer and Elijah Luo has a research officer role with SARDI's Minnipa Agricultural Centre.
This year's intern is Alex Busch, who sees the program as a pivotal step in a career change.
Raised on his family's mixed farm near Saddleworth in the Mid North, Mr Busch began a career in surveying after finishing school.
"After several years working in civil and construction I wanted a change and to get back to agriculture," he said.
Mr Busch returned to university to study a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Geographical Information System) and Soil Science, with a strong interest in how he could apply his learning to the agricultural industry.
"I want to make a positive difference in agriculture, particularly in the management of soils," he said.
"I'm excited to be working on the EP with the vast range of landscapes and challenges, which are significantly different from my own area. I'm looking forward to the learning opportunities that projects addressing these challenges will provide."
