They've come from Kempsey, Uralla, Port Macquarie, the local area, and more - in fact there's even an exchange student from Germany.

The participants, from years nine to eleven are taking part in the tenth annual Rotary Youth in Agricultural (RYAG) Dairy camp at Wingham Showground. 

The local RYAG camp started in 2005, when Ray Johnston, former dairy officer with NSW Department of Primary Industries and now a field services officer with Murray Goulburn, saw the need to engage youth in the dairy industry.

"It started at Wingham Show actually, I noticed the amount of young people in a junior judging competition for beef cattle," said Ray. 

"Apart from the participants who grew up in dairy farming families like our program co-ordinator Emma Polson and team leader Cameron Yarnold, to get other's interested we needed to create a program to engage them."

Ray approached Brian Leggett and Bill Freeman of Rotary with his idea, and this started the ball rolling on what would be Wingham Rotary's first RYAG. 

Working with Ray to get the camp up and running was Michelle Blakeney, a local farmer and now the field service manager for Murray Goulburn. Michelle obtained initial funding for the camp, hosted participant's on her farm and also assisted greatly in the personal development of the RYAG camp's participants.

RYAG is run in various farming strains around Australia such as beef and sheep, but according to the RYAG co-ordinator Allan Brown of Wingham Rotary, Wingham's RYAG Dairy works so well because of the hands on approach the program offers. 

"It really keeps them interested," he said. 

PHOTOS AND STORY FROM RYAG 2014

Allan organises members of Wingham Rotary to cook the participant's meals throughout the camp, to transport them to the various local dairies and to supervise the participants throughout the day and night. 

The program the participants follow is put together and run by RYAG program co-ordinators, Wingham Public School teacher Emma Polson, and Jessica Maloney, a field service officer for Murray Goulburn. Killawarra farmer Cameron Yarnold, was also a team leader throughout the camp, with assistance by former RYAG Dairy camp member Hayley Brood. 

Ray Johnston, says he still remembers seeing Cameron at the first ever Wingham RYAG camp in 2005. 

At 12-years-old, Cameron, who comes from a long-line of dairy farmers, was an expert in the field of dairy cows. 

Participants from the first RYAG camp attended Cameron's parents' farm, where he shared his vast dairy knowledge to the amazement of the older participants. 

Now 22-years-old, Cameron says often there is an assumption dairy farmers aren't young, and he hopes by the kids seeing him in the role it might change their perspective.

Ray believes, the camp allows these young adults to have a chance to check out the dairy industry, in what can be their formative years in terms of career choice.

Throughout the week the participants are responsible for a heifer that has been kindly donated to the camp from a local farmer. They learn how to prepare the heifer for showing, while developing their own bond with the animal throughout the week. 

Through out the week the participants get to milk at local dairy farms and listen to various seminars on milking protocols, nutrition and more. 

The camp ended with a parading, presentation and judging competition.

Presentations were judged by Murray Goulburn field service officer Vicki Timbs and the judging and parading was judged by Cameron Yarnold.

Wingham's Rachel Atkins was awarded champion parader, Rotary exchange student Phelina Schüttke of Germany was awarded champion judge and Amelia Tyne of Kempsey, was awarded champion presentation.

"It's been really good, they've worked hard and blended really well together," said RYAG co-ordinator Allan Brown. 

Wingham's Rachel Atkins was awarded champion parader, Rotary exchange student Phelina Schüttke of Germany was awarded champion judge and Amelia Tyne of Kempsey, was awarded champion presentation. 

"It's been really good, they've worked hard and blended really well together," said RYAG co-ordinator Allan Brown. 

Allan said some participants of the camp were able to do a complete "360" in terms of confidence. 

"You could really notice the change in them after three or four days."

RYAG program co-ordinator Emma Polson, said it is important the camp offers this type of personal development "...a long with the essential dairy skills and knowledge" to get a head start in the dairy industry.

Emma believes it shows there is the youth interest in the dairy industry, and there is a total commitment of Rotarians, local dairy farmers, Mid Coast DAGs (Dairy Advancement Group) and other volunteers to develop this interest.

The collaboration of the event also extends to Rotarys outside of the area, with a lot of them choosing to sponsor participants from their area.

RACHEL Atkins, may not come from a farm, but she is well versed to the life inside one thanks to Wingham High School's Show Team and her time at RYAG (Rotary Youth in Agriculture) Dairy camp. 

Rachel Atkins, was awarded champion parader, at the Wingham RYAG Dairy camp, an award she was at first shocked to receive. 

Despite, being a regular on the beef cattle showing circuit thanks to her school's show team, Rachel has never shown with a dairy heifer before.

"There's so many differences in the way you have to hold them, and even the way you have to present yourself," said Rachel.

Rachel said she also enjoyed learning about the signs of a healthy cow, and the difference between dairy breeds. 

According to Rachel this experience will be a valuable tool for her, considering she would like to study veterinary nursing. 

Phelina Schüttke of Germany, who is currently attending Wingham High School, was awarded champion judge.

RYAG program co-ordinator Emma Polson, said Phelina was able to walk down the line of cows when judging and explain the differences on why she placed each cow. This was particularly impressive as Phelina had also not lived on a farm before. 

Amelia Tyne of Kempsey, was able to speak with confidence when delivering her presentation, that resulted in her being awarded champion status. According to Emma, Amelia put so much time and effort in her heifer presentation, and it really showed.