Spirit of excellence awards application extended

The awards offer young farmers, and young people living in rural areas, the opportunity to take part in personal and professional development that may benefit their local communities.

The Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship for Young Farmers, sponsored by the Department for Environment and Water, is an $8000 grant for a farmer aged 18-40 to pursue further study, take a study tour or run a special project.

The Rural Youth Bursary, sponsored by PIRSA is a $5000 grant for rural young people, aged 18-30, working in a rural community, not necessarily in agriculture, to undertake further study in their chosen career with an ultimate benefit to their community.

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The Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship for Young Farmers honours the memory of the late Peter Olsen, a serving member of the Advisory Board of Agriculture who was killed in a Whyalla plane crash in 2000. The scholarship acknowledges Peter and his wife Wendy's passion for environmental management and advocates for sustainable farming practices.

Ag Bureau chair Mark Grossman says the successful recipients for each award are chosen on their abilities, achievements, vision and motivation for success.

"The Ag Bureau of SA is proud to continue to encourage and support rural youth who are working not only in primary production but in careers that sustain rural communities," he said.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on Friday, October 5, with the awards presented at the Ag Bureau's Spirit of Excellence awards dinner on October 18..

Entries close 5pm Thursday, September 26. For more information please email: agbureau@ruralbusinesssupport.org.au.