Bugs, butterflies, biosecurity and more.
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On Saturday, for the first time in 10 years you will be able to peak inside the Orange Agricultural Institute.
The Forest Road complex is holding an open day from 9.30am-3pm.
There will be tours of the site include the research station field and farm tour and biosecurity collections.
Dr Jordan Bailey said the institute had historic displays of bugs, butterflies and plant species dating back to the 1890s.
She said the open day would promote the agricultural institute’s work on biosecurity, climate research, horticulture, viticulture, invasive species including pest animals and weeds, agronomy, irrigation, sheep and pastures.
“We will be showing species from the different Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) units that work out of the Orange Agricultural Institute,” she said.
“People are curious, they will see the inside of a scientific collection,” she said.
“Even at a museum you can’t go behind the scenes.”
Dr Bailey said it was hoped the open day might inspire young people to consider a career in agriculture and scientific research.
“You never know what little kid will come through and go ‘wow’, it’s all about career path and science,” she said.
The open day will also allow people to learn about the DPI’s Global Agri-Tech Ecosystem (GATE) program.
It offers start-up, mentoring and acceleration support to businesses and individuals to develop their ag-tech ideas into innovations.
GATE is based at the agricultural institute and also offers follow-up business support and access to investment services.
The collections at the institute include the official plant and disease records for NSW.
She said since the 1990s with the evolution of DNA, information researchers now came to the institute’s herbarium to examine specimens.
Saturday’s event is free, however booking ahead through Eventbrite is recommended for tours as some are limited to groups of 10 people due to the size of the rooms.
Dr Bailey said at least three of the tours had already been booked out.
The farm tours will be conducted on a bus.
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