In a first for Canowindra, students at Canowindra High School have showcased their talents, produce and social enterprise ventures in an event that connected agriculture, agribusiness and community investment.
The Canowindra High School Farm, Market and Agribusiness Pitch Day, held on Friday, 19 September, highlighted years of work by the school’s agriculture faculty.
The event featured farm tours, a market, presentations and a student led pitch session, with profits reinvested into local causes through the new Cano ACRE Angels initiative.
Head Teacher of Technology and Applied Studies, Mrs Karen Stuttle, said the program was changing the way students see their role in rural communities.
“Students are truly connecting to a cause and understanding the power they have to change the course of rural communities forever, with their knowledge and skills they are learning at school,” Mrs Stuttle said.
Latest Stories
The day also brought together farmers, local businesses, donors and national partners, including the Sally Foundation and the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE).
Year 9 students from Canobalas Rural Technology High School joined in, adding to the collaboration and community spirit.
Rebecca Iliffe from ACRE said the event was the culmination of years of work by the school and its students.
“The idea was to showcase the years of work of the Canowindra High School’s efforts in agriculture and agribusiness, but also to celebrate that the students themselves have started their own social enterprise businesses,” Ms Iliffe said.
“They’re running their businesses through the school curriculum, but as a social enterprise they give back the profits to support local causes and they established this group called the Cano ACRE Angels, so they’re giving back through that to support their community.”
The pitch session, hosted by local stock and station agent Paul Breen, gave senior students the chance to present their enterprises and future goals, sparking deep conversations between students and farmers.
“It felt much more like a mentoring peer exchange,” Ms Iliffe said.
She added that the event had a powerful effect on both students and the wider community.
“A couple of donors and participants said it was fantastic,” Ms Iliffe said.
“Another said it was a great success and another said it was a resounding success.”
“I was so impressed with the students and how generous, committed and capable they are,” she said.
“It was just so lovely to see them shine in a school context, when sometimes school doesn’t allow you to do this level of investment in your own business and community.”
The school has already committed to two new electives for 2026, commerce and primary industries, designed to strengthen the Social Enterprise Schools program and give students more opportunities to build their skills.
For Canowindra, the event marked more than a school showcase, it was a demonstration of how education, agriculture and community can work hand in hand to create lasting opportunities for young people and the region.
More on page 12.
