Charlie Gardner, a 2022 graduate with an Advanced Diploma in Agribusiness Management and a Diploma of Applied Agronomy, hails from Frances, South Australia, where he grew up on a family farm. The farm, with its mix of sheep, cattle, cropping, and irrigated lucerne, instilled in Charlie a passion for agriculture from a young age. Witnessing the tangible results of hard work on the farm solidified his commitment to a career in agriculture.
Choosing Longerenong College was a deliberate decision for Charlie. After hearing about the College through a radio ad and attending an open day, he was drawn to the hands-on aspects of agriculture and the focus on precision agriculture, which he believes is the future of farming.
Currently, Charlie serves as a Graduate Agronomist with Nutrien Ag Solutions in Horsham, a role he assumed in February 2023. Working within Australia’s largest Ag retail company, Charlie and his team leverage a robust local network to bring valuable, region-specific knowledge to the farm gate. In his role, Charlie applies his knowledge of precision agriculture to enhance growers’ efficiency, ensuring optimal value for their inputs.
Charlie’s passion in the agricultural industry centres around efficiency in farming practices. Striving for maximum return on investment and effort, he embodies the ethos of precision and effectiveness in every aspect of agriculture.
For potential Longy students, Charlie advises finding a balance between learning and enjoying the Longy experience. He encourages them not to hesitate in asking questions, as the community at Longy shares a common passion for agriculture and is eager to help. To graduating students, Charlie suggests embracing new and different aspects within agriculture, being open to challenges as they are opportunities for personal and professional growth.