Words Robyn May | Photo Liam O'Neill
Harry James might have grown up in the city but he never missed an opportunity to go bush.
Harry is Cape York NRM’s first Agricultural Extension Graduate, and one of only six in Queensland.
Meeting farmers at the 2019 Cape York Grazing Forum gave Harry a great head start in the new role which will be to support graziers and growers across the region in land management and water quality monitoring.
During the next 12 months he will receive training, mentoring and hands-on experience from Cape York NRM staff.
“I want to help improve the future for our natural systems by supporting leading land management practices,” Harry said.
“I’m excited to get out and see the Cape and put theory into practice, and I’m looking forward to upcoming visits to Crocodile and Springvale Stations.”
Despite growing up in Brisbane, Harry always wanted to move away from the city and work in a role that assists landholders and supports sustainable practices.
“A lot of people in cities have the impression that farming and agriculture stand at odds with maintaining a healthy environment, but the way I see it, farmers, particularly on the Cape, are excellent stewards of the land,” he said.
As he becomes more experienced Harry hopes to be able to share his skills with people in developing countries.
When he’s not studying or working, Harry enjoys hiking, surfing and volunteering, including a stint as a volunteer turtle monitor on Queensland’s Heron and Peak Islands.
The Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program is facilitated by the Queensland Farmer's Federation, under the support of the Queensland Government, with the aim of enhancing extension skills as graduates assist in delivering agricultural and natural resource management projects with landholders in Great Barrier Reef catchments
