It’s always exciting to see schools taking agricultural education to the next level – and Home Hill State High School (HHSHS) in North Queensland, a PIEFA School Member, has done just that!
With a brand-new $1.7 million industry-scale protected cropping facility, the team at HHSHS has created a space that truly bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience. It’s the biggest investment in ag education the Burdekin region has seen since the closure of the Burdekin Agricultural College – and what a way to keep that legacy alive.
Real-world learning, real-world impact
Led by Agriculture Coordinator Louise Nicholas, the project brings to life the school’s vision for hands-on, applied learning that builds genuine industry skills. The Cravo automated greenhouse, complete with retractable-roof technology, is the kind you’d expect to see on a commercial farm or in a DPI research site, not your typical high-school paddock!
Students are now growing high-value crops like cucumbers, beans, melons, and lettuce, learning to manage irrigation, climate control, and pest management with the same systems used by the professionals. As Louise puts it, “We’re not just growing crops – we’re growing opportunities.”
A community-driven approach
What’s particularly special about this project is its reach. Students from other local schools, including Ayr SHS, can access the facility through dual enrolment, giving the whole region’s students the chance to earn a Certificate II in Production Horticulture. It’s collaboration at its best – and a great reminder of what’s possible when schools, industry, and government work together.
Why this matters
At PIEFA, we know projects like this don’t happen overnight. They take persistence, passion, and a champion like Louise driving the vision forward. The HHSHS greenhouse shows exactly what’s possible when schools are supported – through funding, partnerships, and the belief that agricultural education deserves investment.
It’s a shining example of how school-based ag programs can future-proof our food and fibre workforce by connecting students directly with industry skills and technologies.
Congratulations to everyone involved — we can’t wait to see what grows next at Home Hill! 🌱
