Taste of rural life for students

Wairarapa students got hands on experience of what the working world can offer at an industry "grazing day" at the Solway showgrounds yesterday, as representatives from a variety of industries turned out to show the next generation what it's all about.
The Wairarapa Workforce Development Trust put on the day for year 10 students ? 13 to 14 year olds ? so they could have a go at driving a digger or feeding a calf, and get some wisdom from the folk who do the work day to day.
The idea was that the young people spend a bit of time at each site, of which there were about 12, have a think about what they would enjoy, and go back and spend a bit more time learning about it.
South Wairarapa dairy farmer John Coveney was demonstrating some aspects of calf rearing and said the day was a good opportunity for the dairy industry to build rapport with young people, and make a play to attract new workers.
"It's good to get them introduced to a little bit of hands on ? they may even develop an interest in farming I suppose. That's the idea," Mr Coveney said.