Rural Youth is one of the largest co-curricular groups at James Ruse AHS. Over the years it has flourished and continues to grow, facilitating participation in rural activities at locations as diverse as Casino and Dubbo.  The group's mission statement sets out Rural Youth at James Ruse Agricultural High School promotes and fosters the continued active participation in rural activities by all young Australians.  We achieve this through:

• Active promotion of participation in farm activities 
• Active participation in State Rural Youth activities (eg Showcamp)
• General promotion of agriculture 
• Fundraising to sponsor students participating in State Rural Youth activities
• Comprehensive insurance for injuries sustained on the school farm

The annual membership fee (including insurance) is $12.00 with membership compulsory for ALL students involved in the following activities:

• Poultry feeding and care 
• Cattle group 
• Aquaculture group 
• Bee group 
• All other on-farm co-curricular activities

Many competitions are held by Rural Youth for its members each year, including:

• Achievement book competition
• Club publicity scrapbook competition**
• Creative sewing competition 
• Fashion review 
• Literature competition (short story, poem or job application) 
• Rural Youth Member of the Year competition 
• Photography competition 
• Public speaking competition* 
• Quiz competition* 
• Impromptu debating competition* 
• Top Club Award**

*  Requires the competitor to attend the Annual Conference
**Competitions for our club as a whole

Most of these competitions have cash prizes and two $500 scholarships are also available.