Cashen Nolan defies the trend of an aging agricultural workforce.
National Agriculture Day is a chance to celebrate and learn about Australia’s incredible farming sector.
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Held on the third Friday of November each year, it gives us all a chance to reflect and acknowledge an industry that’s part of our lives every single day.
The agricultural industry is an ageing one, with the average age of Australian farmers edging ever closer to 60 years old.
In the most recently published figures, Australian primary producers were on average 59 years old - an increase of two years in age over the previous five year period.
They have on average 39 years years industry experience.
This compares to a national average for all Australian workers of 37 years old.
For many years, the Federal Government has tried to find a solution to our ageing farming population.
This has included incentives to encourage more young people to enter and stay in primary production.
One young person who has decided to begin their career in agriculture and help with that process is Cashen Nolan.
Cashen, 18, is a Legacy Packing horticulture trainee based at Mowbray Farm, Berrigan.
He is a fun-loving person with a ‘can-do’ attitude and loves being outdoors.
Cashen has been with the company for nearly two years and is currently undertaking a Certificate III in Horticulture.
This is Cashen’s first full-time role since leaving Cobram Secondary School last year.
“When this (the traineeship) popped up I knew I had to give it a go,” Cashen said.
“I enjoy being outdoors and I love farm work.”
Cashen’s passion for farming began as a small child, growing up on his parents’ 450-acre property in nearby Lalalty.
His role covers many different aspects of horticulture at Mowbray Farm – from spray work, supervising contractors, operating machinery, and general farm labour.
“We have a great team here (at Mowbray),” he said.
“We trust each other to get the job done.”
In his spare time, Cashen enjoys motorbike riding, camping, four-wheel driving and playing football for Barooga, however a knee injury saw him miss most of the most recent season.
“I really enjoy my job and hope to be running the farm one day,” Cashen said.
Cashen is a horticulture trainee at Mowbray Farm, Berrigan.
Mowbray Farm currently has eight full-time staff with up to 100 additional contract workers used during busy periods such as harvest and pruning.
As part of that workforce, Cashen is known for his love of life and not taking it too seriously.
This is demonstrated in the fact he has been growing a mullet for the past three years.
Originally it was to raise money and awareness for ‘Mullets for Mental Health,’ however he liked the hairstyle so much, he decided to keep growing it.
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