Taratahi offers 'taste' of farm training course

Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre is to run a four-day Taster course this month on its Wairarapa campus.

The programme will run from July 15 to 18 and is an opportunity for prospective students to get a "taste" of agricultural training and campus life, says Yvonne Way, centre marketing and communications manager.

Students must be over 15 and will stay at the Wairarapa campus for four nights in student accommodation, with three hearty meals a day.

"The days will be jam-packed with modules on quad bikes, chainsaws, fencing, stock movement and lots more," Ms Way said.

Taratahi offers a number of Taster courses throughout the year to help prospective students decide if agriculture is what they really want to study.

Taster students will have a chance to discover all the study options available at Taratahi and "most get an idea early on if they are interested in specialising in sheep or dairy".

At the end of the course, parents and caregivers would be welcomed on to campus as well and offered a tour of the facilities and an opportunity to talk with staff and tutors.

Taster courses run through the school holidays, when fulltime Taratahi students are off campus, she said.

Taratahi offers full-time courses, extramural study, short courses and STAR/Gateway programmes as well as the Primary Industries Academy. The main campus is based near Masterton, with non-residential campuses in Manawatu, Taranaki, Waikato, Hawke's Bay and Northland.

Prospective students are urged to call 0800 TARATAHI to book a seat in the class.