NT Rural Ambassador Dakota Gough will compete for national title at Royal Adelaide Show

The NT Rural Ambassador has been recognised as a young person with a ‘passion’ for agricultural education and the future of the industry.

A 22-year-old with a passion for agricultural education and the future of the industry says she is “honoured” to represent the Northern Territory as the 2025 NT Rural Ambassador.

Dakota Gough now calls the Territory home since moving to Newcastle Waters Station from outback Queensland in 2023.

The veterinary nurse and station hand has worked all over the rural areas of the Top End, eventually settling down with her partner Jack Gillat in a block outside Katherine.

Ms Gough will join seven other young finalist at the Royal Adelaide Show in September to vie for the title of National Rural Ambassador.

Dakota Gough is the NT Rural Ambassador. Picture: Supplied

“It’s a rural industry competition,” Ms Gough explained.

“Rural ambassadors have a passion for agriculture and are involved in the community and shows movements in their region.

“I have been involved in the show movement since the age of 11, starting with judging and showing cattle at boarding school.

“Now I am actively involved with the Katherine Show Society.”

Ms Gough said her real passion lies in her push to “get agriculture back into the curriculum”.

Through her work with NSW program Ag in a Box and her own company A is for Agriculture, Ms Gough is teaching urban and rural kids alike about the importance of agriculture.

Ms Gough hopes to produce NT-specific Ag in a Box resources. Picture: Supplied

“I think if we don’t get the education back into agriculture, my generation is going to struggle with workforce challenges,” she said.

“We need to build our foundations for the industry, if we’re not educating around agriculture then we won’t have those foundations and future workforces.

“So I really aim to show students the positives and negatives of agriculture — too many city kids associate farming with drought and devastation.

“There’s a position for everyone in the future of agriculture, and I hope to show that to the students I teach.”

Ms Gough used the example of a class of Year 1 students in Brisbane she teaches remotely.

Dakota Gough, steward Wayne Martin and Taminmin College VET trainer Sarah Kukulies at the Fred's Pass Rural Show. Picture: NT Show Council

The NT Rural Ambassador said she teaches them about daily life on her farm, showing them her animals or how to grow vegetables in her garden.

“Now those kids have gone away and started growing tomatoes, or they want to get chickens in their backyard,” she explained.

“This little bit of learning has sparked their interests and passions.

“Some kids said ‘I want to do that when I’m older’ — that is something I am so proud of.”

The Rural Ambassador program recognises the contributions of young people in the regional and rural areas to the future of Australian agriculture.

The winner will be announced on September 5 during the Royal Adelaide Show week.