Classroom to Farm: Discovering Agriculture on the Peninsula

Published on 21 March 2025

It’s not every day you get to swap the classroom for a vineyard, nursery or paddock — but that’s exactly what local students experienced at our latest Agriculture Industry Immersion Tour.

Designed for Years 9–10 (but just as eye-opening for older students), the tour gave teens a hands-on look at what a future in the agrifood sector could look like right here on the Mornington Peninsula.

With stops at some of the region’s most innovative and successful agriculture businesses, students got to hear directly from business owners, ask questions and see the real-world possibilities beyond the textbooks.

One of the tour highlights was a visit to Gazzola Farms in Somerville — a major player in the horticulture space and a great example of how much is happening in our own backyard. From rows of fresh produce to insights on what it’s like to work in the industry, the experience opened a lot of eyes.

These tours are part of the Shire's work to support our local food and farming industries. We want young people to see just how many career paths are out there — and how agriculture today is about more than just muddy boots (though there’s still plenty of that too). It’s hands-on, rewarding, and full of opportunity for those who are curious and keen to learn.

From the nursery and wine industries to horticulture and beyond, these experiences are helping students connect with the land — and reminding us all that there’s more going on across the Peninsula than meets the eye.

Want to learn more about a career in agriculture? Click here.

Watch the video below to see the tour in action.