Speaking in a televised address from the Yarralumla Woolshed, Ms Bryce said 2012 would be a year to celebrate farmers and their work.

She said the Australian Year of the Farmer would help to remind Australians that many essentials of daily life were connected to farming.

“Year of the Farmer will inform Australians about the advantages of working in agriculture – about those quiet achievements of farmers that benefit all of us, and so many people overseas,” she said.

“Our farmers are the life force of our nation.

“They export 60 per cent of everything they produce – (which is the) key to our national economy.

“And they sustain valuable local economies and communities.”

She said Australia needed more farmers to continue this valuable work.

“(The) Year of the Farmer 2012 will reach out to people in our cities to encourage them to move to the bush,” Ms Bryce said.

“There’s a strong message for our young people – especially those contemplating life after high school at this time of the year: think about a career in agriculture.”

This was echoed by Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences head, Professor John Mawson.

Prof Mawson endorsed Ms Bryce’s call for more young Australians to consider careers in agriculture-related fields.

“As the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture has been emphasising for some time, demand for graduates far outstrips supply,” Professor Mawson said.

“Interesting and rewarding careers in a range of areas are just waiting for graduates, and opportunities will only increase with the expected global demand for food and fibre products in the coming years.

He said academics were heartened by growth in student numbers entering Bachelor of Agricultural Science this year, but acknowledged more must be done to meet industry demand.

“We need more agricultural science graduates to drive innovation and sustainability, and agribusiness graduates to service the supply chain, financial and marketing sectors.”

CSU graduate and recipient of the CSU Agricultural Science Medal in 2011 Hollie Baillieu, said she was proud of the Governor-General for putting agriculture at the forefront of discussion.

“Agriculture has such a negative image at times, and the positive and forward-thinking comments made by the Governor-General were excellent,” she said.

“I’d encourage anyone considering a degree in agriculture to get involved in the industry and develop networks.”