From modest beginnings in Gippsland to a national footprint that now reaches more than 15,000 students each year, Cows Create Careers is celebrating 21 years of creating opportunities and sparking curiosity about Australia’s dairy industry.

Launched in 2004 by the Lions Club of Strzelecki with seed funding from the Gardiner Foundation in 2005 and 2007, the program has grown into a standout agricultural education initiative. Coordinated by Jaydee Events, Cows Create Careers is now delivered in 23 dairy regions across Australia, involving 240 secondary schools annually.

The program introduces students to the world of dairy farming and food production through hands-on learning with calves, supported by local farmers and industry advocates. It’s not only about careers in agriculture, it’s about connecting young people with where their food comes from and opening doors they might not have considered.

A visit to Marist-Sion College in Warragul, one of the program’s longest-standing participants, shows how deeply embedded the initiative has become. The school has been involved since Cows Create Careers began, and agriculture teacher Chris says the program continues to make a lasting impression.

“Many students don’t really understand where their cheese or milk comes from,” he said. “Programs like this provide a hands-on, close-to-nature experience that makes learning both tangible and meaningful.”

Year 7 students at Marist-Sion are guided by Crystal, a recent addition to the school’s growing agricultural program. Her passion for the dairy industry and ability to engage students is a clear reflection of what Cows Create Careers aims to achieve: building knowledge, confidence, and respect for animal care and food production.

Students take on responsibilities like feeding and weighing calves, monitoring temperature, and learning about nutrition and welfare. As they progress, they are introduced to more advanced topics, including agricultural technology and career pathways.

Importantly, the program fosters inclusivity and understanding between students from farming and non-farming backgrounds. “It’s not just about learning a skill, it’s about working together and appreciating what goes into producing the food we eat,” one student shared.

Over its two-decade journey, Cows Create Careers has continued to innovate. In 2024, the program piloted an initiative at Fulham Correctional Centre, where men undergoing intensive dairy training were given the opportunity to participate. The hands-on experience is designed to support skill development and future employment, showing how the program can adapt to meet broader community needs.

Recognised by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority in 2022, Cows Create Careers is now embedded in the Design and Technologies, Food and Fibre Production curriculum for Levels 7 and 8, reinforcing its educational value.

Backed by a long-standing partnership between schools, farmers, industry groups and the Gardiner Foundation, the program remains a powerful example of collaboration and impact. After 21 years, Cows Create Careers continues to nurture a deeper connection between young Australians and the dairy industry, and its legacy is still growing.