Training young farmers is a major role in my life and remaining an effective teacher continues to be a fascinating challenge.
One of the first things I learned as a teacher was that it is impossible to be all things to all people.
I have found that experience is the best platform on which to teach, but there is a limit to everyone's ability to experience the scope required to be a "full bottle" teacher.
Experience is not experience until you have experienced it. Once teaching is limited to the classroom, you limit the learning. Timing is also critical in learning and the old saying goes: "when the pupil is ready, the teacher will arrive".
In my opinion, some students are studying the wrong discipline for the wrong reason, yet they are convinced they are on the right path. Their career decision has been made on thin research and no experience. These are frustrating students to teach, but a good teacher must not show frustration.
Another saying is that "education is wasted on the young". Generally, education is never wasted, but it did ring true in my Farm Management College days as an 18-year-old.
I, and my colleagues, had to have a least two years' experience prior to entering the college. This was done to allow for experience to be gained to which the learning could be adhered to in our brains. Yet even with a farm upbringing, I felt like a baggage handler being trained to be an airline pilot.
When education is based on need in a learner's mind, not want, then the real learning begins. Even with its limitations, gaining my diploma in farm management proved to be a door opener for my teaching career.
Quite often I thought I understood things, but it was not until I had to teach concepts that I then fully understood them. No teacher wants to be caught out not knowing something and that is where my college training in researching came to the fore.
One thing I did learn from my college days was that it is so important to teach in context. For most teachers this is impossible due to varying backgrounds, associations and needs of the learners and the teacher. That said, context must always be front and centre in every teacher's kitbag.
One concept I espouse is for every prospective young farmer to have a self-designed seven-to-eight-year apprenticeship post-secondary school, working in industries unrelated to farming that you have an interest in.
Not only will some of the learning be transferrable to farming, but who knows you may just discover a better option in life. Basing your career on ignorance is a flawed option.
If agriculture remains your chosen pursuit, then working full years on two or three well managed properties is a must. Dad can only teach you so much. Then a farm management college may follow.
By this time, you are in your mid-20s and well equipped to create the best possible future.
- Details: kensolly@rbm.com.au
