The Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) is excited to announce Emily Adams as the 2024 Communications Intern – Drought Preparedness. Emily will gain on-the job training and mentoring in delivering communications materials for farmers and rural communities to improve knowledge on preparing and responding to drought.
Emily is a third year University of Adelaide Agricultural Science student from Langhorne Creek where she is the sixth generation on a mixed enterprise including but not limited to broad acre, sheep and vineyards.
Emily has commenced her internship with BIGG and is currently assisting with preparations for the BIGG annual conference on 8 February. During her internship Emily will gain valuable skills and experience in event management; strategic planning for communications; utilising communications tools such as social media and websites; and writing and presenting to the media.
“I hope through this new internship I will develop my skills, knowledge and network as I have a keen interest in the role of communications within the agricultural sector and the benefits it can provide to those within the community. I also look forward to expanding my understanding of agricultural sectors I have not yet encountered and developing a more comprehensive view of the main issues and concerns shared by those within the industry” said Emily.
This communications internship is part of the BIGG project ‘Building local human capacity to support drought preparedness across the generations and community’. BIGG was recently successful in receiving $55,000 in funding from the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) to assist regional communities prepare for drought. BIGG will use the grant to enable three projects by building individual and community skills and knowledge when preparing for and facing drought challenges:
- Two Communications Internships will be offered to Agriculture or Animal Science undergraduates (2023/24 and 2024/25 placements).
- The continuation of annual University of Adelaide Bus Tours where students visit three Barossa properties / trial sites / local agribusinesses to gain and reinforce skills and learnings, whilst being exposed to regional careers and opportunities. Students also learn first-hand the effects of drought and how producers and service providers have built their resilience.
- To build upon the Pilates for Farmers classes that commenced in conjunction with Pilates Barossa in November 2021. The project plans to promote the value of pilates as a recognised method of improving mental and physical health building community resilience during challenging times.
This project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
