The Menindee and Lower Darling Cotton Growing Association (MLD CGA) is one of a number of CGA organisation's formed throughout cotton growing areas in Australia by local growers and sponsored by Cotton Australia with the aims of;

1. To be a link between grower, community and industry.

2. To promote cotton production as a sustainable and responsible industry.

3. To be a source of information for members and the community.

CGA's do this by supporting events that are going on in their community and educating people within their district about the cotton industry, as well as promoting what the industry does, the growers and anything else on offer.

Objectives

This project has three key aspects:

1. Developing a school based traineeship for two students at Menindee central school. Traineeships run in conjunction with the Menindee Enterprise Park Education Services provides great options for students disadvantaged by isolation to access skills and training otherwise not available. It also encourages students to finish their year 11 and 12 studies and provides some full time employment.

2. Educating students studying high school level agriculture. Members of the Menindee and lower Darling CGA and Tandou LTD staff have offered their time to provide tours and awareness of cotton production. Additionally Tandou agronomists have offered to conduct training on chemical and spray application as well as advice on the school ag plot.

3. Educating and promoting the cotton industry to the general public (particularly Menindee, Broken Hill and Mildura regions) through a field day at Tandou.