Real-world agricultural programs on a working sugarcane farm — building skills, confidence, and futures for young people in our community.
Explore Our Programs Dawlish Farming, Dawlish Rd · 10 min north of SarinaWho We Are
AGRI Engage on-farm programs are designed for young people who are primarily experiential learners. We meet participants where they are and help them identify areas of interest and passion that can be developed into real employment outcomes.
The AGRI Engage Team are passionate about seeing all young people reach their potential and make a positive contribution to our community — by providing opportunities to work, learn, and serve alongside positive role models.
A broad curriculum where young people can discover and develop the areas that excite them most.
Mentorship from experienced local leaders across agriculture, trades, and community service.
Direct engagement with local industry leaders and potential employers from day one.
What We Offer
Four hands-on programs run on an operational sugarcane farm. Each program concludes with a Certificate of Completion and a personal written recommendation.
Participants prepare, plant, and produce fresh fruit and vegetables for the local Sarina community — gaining soil science, machinery, and harvest skills from the ground up.
Key Learnings
Real-world industry experience across all aspects of cattle production in a safe and controlled environment — from land preparation through to animal husbandry.
Key Learnings
Experience the full sugarcane production cycle — from soil health analysis with world-leading agronomists through to planting, nutrient management, and harvest using cutting-edge technology.
Key Learnings
Work on a variety of hands-on mini-projects — from orchard upgrades and bike track construction to looking after chickens, goats, geese, and ducks on the property.
Key Learnings
The People Behind It
Project Manager & Training Leader
With 30+ years of experience in project management and industry-relevant training, Bob brings expertise across rural environments, cattle, sugar cane, civil construction, and cabinet making. His approach centres on practical learning, individual self-worth, and continuous improvement. Bob has designed and delivered programs that drive real employment outcomes — and he genuinely cares.
Fourth Generation Sugarcane Farmer
A lifetime local and School Captain at Sarina SHS, George completed his Fitter & Turner apprenticeship at Plane Creek Sugar Mill, served as a High School Chaplain, Youth Worker, and Director at Mackay Sugar Limited. Most recently he has been consulting in Indonesia to government, private companies, and local farmers on improving agricultural productivity. George is ready to help local young people find their way forward.
Our team is made up of local people who are passionate about playing their part within the local community and industry. Their backgrounds span:
Where It Can Lead
These are highly specialised and sought-after skills valued not just by local industry, but around the world. AGRI Engage opens the door to a wide range of careers.
Soil testing, nutrient & weed management, sustainable agriculture, alternate cropping, fallow management, variable rate design, environmental management, water quality and reef catchment projects.
Station attendants, pan stage, boiler operators, crane operators, riggers, boilermakers, fitters & turners, electricians, diesel fitters, juice lab analysts, engineers, finance, and senior management.
Harvester & haul-out operators, land preparation, farm management, logistics, truck drivers, heavy earthmoving, road maintenance, machinery maintenance, procurement, HSE, and GIS.
CEC soil mapping, elevation mapping, drainage design, drone surveys, crop monitoring, variable rate applications, NDVI mapping, and yield mapping.
Find Us
Our on-farm programs run on an operational sugarcane farm — Dawlish Farming, on Dawlish Road.
We're located just 10 minutes north of Sarina and 20 minutes south of Mackay in the heart of Queensland's sugar belt — an ideal environment for real-world agricultural learning.
Dawlish Road, Sarina Region
10 min north of Sarina · 20 min south of Mackay
Get Involved
Whether you're a young person keen to get stuck in, a parent, a school, or a local business interested in partnering with us — we'd love to hear from you.
Get In Touch