Matt Notley can usually be found at Tocal College where he is a lecturer in precision agriculture and cropping.
But now he is putting his theory into practice to help with this year's harvest due to the labour shortage.
He is among 26 workers who have applied for NSW government's Harvest Leave that was announced in October.
Harvest Leave offers staff from the Department of Regional NSW, including Local Land Services and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, access to five days' special leave to assist farmers in harvest.
"This is a good initiative because of two reasons, the industry needs help and the government has a labour force that could contribute and people like me are connected to the industry and know what's happening," Mr Notley said.
"Working for a grower gives you boots on the ground to know what's relevant and that's the best way to appreciate what's happening in the sector.
"The hardest thing for people is to try and find growers that would take people for a week, most people want you for two to four weeks. But colleagues I have spoken to while I was away think it's awesome that we can get out and do it."
He is working with Ariah Farming Company, which was his first on farm job when he undertook his traineeship in certificate four in agriculture 10 years ago.
"I have been coming back every year since to help ever since," he said.
This time he also brought his fiancé Sophie Smethurst who is an administrative officer for Tocal's short courses.
He said the rain had put a stop to harvest for a week but they were back at it again this week and hoped to finish within another eight to nine days.
"The yield is unbelievable and canola prices are unbelievable, if we can get a good run at it without too many rain days it will be a reasonable harvest for these guys," Mr Notley said.
"But there are those that are not as fortunate in the north who have be inundated with rain."
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Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said the government's Harvest Leave unlocked a previously untapped source of labour for farmers during harvest, while simultaneously working to reduce their costs.
"While it's still early days in the scheme, the initial response from DRNSW staff has been encouraging, as well as from producers who welcomed the opportunity to educate people who might not otherwise have the chance to work on-farm," Mr Marshall said.
But Mr Marshall said the floods and rain events in the last few weeks had made it harder to predict labour needs, which had meant some growers had to scale back demands.
"It's brilliant to see someone like Matt take up this opportunity. His salary is still covered, he's an extra set of hands for harvest and it puts more money in farmers' pockets," he said.
Tocal College is also helping to address the grain harvest staff shortages by delivering specialist training to provide participants with the skills and knowledge they will need to be safe and productive harvest workers.
The newly developed Harvest Operations Courses has trained 54 students during September and October through courses conducted in Quandialla, Trangie, Warren and Mungindi.
Course numbers are limited to 12 participants with two trainers due to the practical nature of the training and the need for close supervision while being instructed in the operation of large and complex machines.
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