Real farm experience at Taratahi

OPEN DAY: The Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre will hold an Open Day at the Wairarapa campus from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, November 21. Allcomers are welcome. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The farm gate will be thrown wide for visitors and prospective students at the upcoming Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre Open Day.

Centre spokeswoman Wei Siew Leong said the open day will be held on Saturday, November 21, at the Wairarapa campus on Cornwall Rd, south of Masterton, and will be a "relaxed and interactive" introduction to the award-winning institution.

"This year's event is going to be slightly less formal than in previous years."

Food vendors will be on site at the open day as well as a free sausage sizzle, she said, and a range of interactive farm-related activities for the 100 prospective students expected to attend.

"We are hoping to make the open day better this time around and with the vendors and activities, there will be more to do and see, or visitors can simply grab some food and have a picnic on the grass.

The open day has been planned as "a fun day out for all ages", she said, designed so visitors can "sample the Taratahi experience".

"In addition to being able to see a demonstration of what students learn and go on a farm tour, we are encouraging people to make a day of it and grab a bite to eat from the local food vendors who have been invited to participate in this day, hang out in the woolshed to have a go on the mechanical bull, take the kids on a tractor ride, watch the dog trials, or have a go at the fencing competition."

About 200 students pass through the classes each year at the centre, which is the largest and oldest rural education provider in New Zealand, and prospective farm workers have been trained at the facility for a career in agriculture since 1919.

Residential students are enrolled on programmes that range from Levels 3 to 5. Learning options range from sheep, beef, dairy, equine or deer and there is a strong emphasis on hands-on practical training using Taratahi farms in the area and working the centre maxim of "real training on real farms".

The open day will run from 11am to 3pm and public are welcome. Prospective students are invited to register their interest at events@taratahi. ac.nz