Yorkes Ag Alliance

A Partnership Growing Future Opportunities

The Yorkes Ag Alliance (YAA) is a unique partnership between Central Yorke School and Maitland Lutheran School, bringing senior students together to study Agriculture through a shared learning program. Created to strengthen agricultural education opportunities across the Yorke Peninsula, the Alliance allows students from both schools to learn side by side while building practical skills, industry knowledge and pathways into future careers.

Led by Agriculture teachers Jaynelle LeFeuvre and Seth Matson, students travel between schools several times each week to participate in hands on learning experiences that combine classroom theory with authentic agricultural practice.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The YAA program is built around practical, real world learning. Throughout 2025, students developed skills in tractor safety, machinery maintenance and livestock care while working directly with equipment, paddocks and animals on the school farm. All students successfully completed their YAA tractor licences through the Hazards, Safety and Farm Machinery unit.

Students also gained valuable mechanical experience through maintenance workshops supported by local community experts. Tasks included changing spark plugs, wheel bearings, tyres and chains, helping students build confidence with machinery and farm operations.

Strong Industry Connections

A key strength of the Yorkes Ag Alliance is its close connection with local industry and community supporters. Students work alongside farmers, breeders and agricultural professionals, gaining insight into the expectations and opportunities within the agricultural sector.

Industry partners including Ashvell Murray Grey Stud, Bayview Shorthorn Stud and Junella Farming YP have played an important role in supporting the program and providing livestock for competition and training.

Success in the Show Ring

Livestock preparation and competition have been major highlights of the YAA program. Students worked together to raise and prepare show steers including King Patch Junella, Prince Red Bayview and Mighty Percival Ashvell for regional and state competitions.

The team enjoyed strong success at the Copper Coast Show, earning championships in cattle handling and judging while demonstrating outstanding teamwork and professionalism.

At the prestigious Royal Adelaide Show, the Yorkes Ag Alliance team earned seven awards against competition from 33 schools and 139 school led steers. Students achieved placings across on hoof and hook events, special carcass awards and handler competitions, continuing a proud tradition of excellence in agricultural education.

Building Confidence and Career Pathways

Beyond awards and competitions, the Yorkes Ag Alliance helps students develop leadership, teamwork, resilience and confidence. Through authentic agricultural experiences and strong community connections, students gain skills that prepare them for further study, training and employment across agriculture and related industries.

Students with an interest in agriculture, machinery, livestock, agribusiness or rural industries are encouraged to explore the opportunities available through the Yorkes Ag Alliance senior Agriculture program.