Cohort 1
agricultural education
& mentoring
LEADAg addresses the lack of opportunity for young people to gain practical, hands-on training and skills to make them employable as well as exposure to the opportunities within agriculture. Participation in the program provides young people with fundamental skills and support from industry mentors. Not only do they benefit from the skills development but also build the confidence and capacity to choose a career in the agricultural industry.
how to get involved
LEADAg is a high.impact career accelerator designed to develop the next generation of the agricultural workforce. We have traded the classroom for immersive, hands.on skilling in regional Queensland.
For Participants
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Join over 200 applicants to gain technical proficiency and personal confidence.
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Build your career on the pillars of Respect, Responsibility, and Resourcefulness.
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Access a professional circle of 61 industry mentors in livestock, cotton, and AgTech.
For Industry Mentors
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Share your expertise to help students transition from beginners to industry entrants.
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Join a collaborative environment of producers and innovators dedicated to growth.
For Strategic Partners
We invite stakeholders to fund hands.on training and workforce retention through four investment tiers:
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Founding ($50K+). Full cohort access and program co.branding.
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Platinum ($10K+). Comprehensive outcomes reports and organisational exposure.
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Gold ($5K+). "Kick.off" introductions and active mentorship opportunities.
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Silver ($1K+). Acknowledgement of contribution and student impact reports.
Could your Property host the next generation?
The heart of LEADAg is "learning-by-doing." Our host families are essential in providing young people with genuine, hands-on experience in the agricultural industry. By opening your gates, you help participants develop the Respect, Responsibility, and Resourcefulness needed for a successful career on the land.
What's Involved?
Hosting is a rewarding way to mentor enthusiastic students through practical tasks like livestock handling, fencing, and farm operations. We work closely with you to ensure the week is well-coordinated and fits into your property's daily routine.
Register Your Interest
If you are passionate about the future of our industry and have a property that could provide a great learning environment, we would love to hear from you.
LEADAg 2026
CHRRUP runs two LEADAg programs, LEADAg Youth (for 15 to 17 year-olds)
and LEADAg Plus (for 18 to 30 year-olds).
2026 LEADAG PLUS
LEADAg Plus program:
Dates Yet to Be Confirmed
2026 LEADAG YOUTH
LEADAg Youth is a one-week program, available in two locations:
WEEK 1: Longreach (29th June- 3rd July)
WEEK 2: Emerald (21st - 25th September)
If you are interested in being involved as a program mentor, sponsor or have questions about other LEADAg opportunities, please contact CHRRUP's Agriculture Workforce Officer, Evangeline Fysh.
View the videos below to learn more about what you can experience with LEADAg!
LEADAg Youth
For 15 to 17 year-olds keen to learn more about agriculture, and follow an agriculture career pathway.​
The program is run during the Queensland school holidays.
See an example of the program structure above.
As this program is residential, accommodation and meals are provided.
No prior agriculture experience is required to apply.
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The 2024 LEADAg Youth program was generously supported by the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN), an initiative of the Department of Agriculture
and Fisheries, and The Local Buying Foundation.
LEADAg Plus
For 18 to 30 year-olds who are keen to build their agricultural skills, meet potential employers and follow an agriculture career pathway. See an example of the program structure above.
​​Thanks to generous sponsorship from RESQ+, there is no cost to attend the LEADAg Plus program.
No prior agriculture experience is required to apply.
2023
The LEADAg initiative was extended to a comprehensive, three week course in 2023. One-week blocks were held in April, June and September throughout the Emerald and Longreach regions. See the positive feedback from this year's participants in the video below.
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The LEADAg Youth program 2023 was funded by the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network, the Local Buying Foundation and SQNNSW Innovation Hub.
LEADAg Pilot program 2022
The LEADAg pilot program was funded by the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network, an initiative of the Queensland Government.
Pilot Student Testimonials
RADIO INTERVIEW
Listen to Meg Bassingthwaighte, CHRRUP's Agriculture Workforce Officer for Central Highlands & Central West Queensland, radio interview on ABC Western Queensland North West and Western Queensland Rural Report Program