Henty Machinery Field Days: Advisory agronomists on hand

STEPHANIE Clancy will be among the advisory agronomists overseeing the demonstration plots at the Henty Machinery Field Days.

STEPHANIE Clancy will be among the advisory agronomists overseeing the demonstration plots at the Henty Machinery Field Days.

Know-how: Stephanie Clancy will be on hand at the Henty demonstration plots to advise on the latest seed varieties.

It is a far cry from her days as a young volunteer serving coffee at a school catering site near the field days’ western entrance.

Stephanie, 22, started with Baker Seed Co at Rutherglen in January as a sales agronomist after completing an agricultural science degree at Charles Sturt University, Wagga.

Growing up in a farming family at Pleasant Hills has meant a lifelong connection with the field days for Stephanie.

“I boarded at St Francis College, Leeton, and had to choose between sport or agriculture — sport was not a viable option so ag fell in my lap and I’ve loved it ever since,” she said.

“There are quite a few young woman coming through as agronomists now — there are fantastic opportunities for women right throughout the industry.

“My role involves paddock inspections for our sister company, Lilliput Ag, and checking seed crops for production so when the seed comes in for grading and reselling, we know what we are looking for.”

Stephanie conceded working in an advisory capacity at the Baker Seed Co’s demonstration plots at Henty was in stark contrast to visiting them as a school student.

“The whole community benefits from the field days — at Pleasant Hills. The hotel provides accommodation and a lot of locals come out to help, the whole community strives towards it,” she said.

“September is always a busy time in this area with footy finals at Henty — it is great for our region and gets our name out there.”

Stephanie will spend the weeks before Henty doing plant counts and checking the cereal trials for disease at the demonstration site.