Four University of Adelaide students are among 20 recipients of the latest crop of AgriFutures Horizon Scholarships nationwide.
The Horizon Scholarship provides students with the $10,000 bursary across two years, as well as an four-day professional development workshop and two weeks of industry placement each year.
AgriFutures Australia managing director welcomed the future rural leaders to the program.
"Congratulations to our 2022 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship recipients, whose exceptional passion, ambition, and commitment to agriculture has distinguished them from a talented pool of over 100 applicants," he said.
"We are so appreciative to our industry sponsors for their investment in supporting the next generation of rural leaders."
Students are carefully paired with industry sponsors that align with their career aspirations and industry experience.
Growing up on a mixed-farming operation at Yumali, Veterinary Technology student Ophelia Neumann said agriculture has always been a passion.
After graduating high school, she took a gap year, during which she worked for Viterra as a grain classifier, mustered stock at a station at Oodnadatta and as a pen rider for Thomas Foods Feedlot at Tintinara.
But it is Dairy Australia that is supporting her scholarship.
"I currently work at a TMR feedlot dairy where we milk 300 head, where I've been fortunate to gain opportunities across all aspects of the operation from feeding out, working with the nutritionist, livestock agent and vet, milking, managing calves, and training staff," she said.
"After completion of my degree, I aspire to work in genetics and gain greater experience in breeding programs, particularly in the growing innovation with technology for embryos and genomic testing.
"I also enjoy sharing my skill set and knowledge with others around me and encouraging them to develop careers in agriculture.
"I hope to build me skills set and passion in management positions where I can have a positive influence training youth in agriculture and managing operations."
Bachelor of Agricultural Science student Emily Chambers has been supported by the GRDC.
She grew up in Adelaide, attending metropolitan schools, and while she enjoyed science subjects, agriculture wasn't a major part of her schooling.
"It wasn't until I learnt about the industrial production of superphosphate and ammonia in chemistry that I released science and agriculture were strongly linked," she said.
"My grandparents actually have a farming property on the Yorke Peninsula, but I didn't understand the many different career pathways beyond being a farmer.
"Although I originally imagined my career in agriculture being based in a lab or an office, I now thoroughly enjoy learning in the field and imagine my career will end up tied to in-field production."
Fellow Bachelor of Agricultural Science student Darcy MacCartie has had his scholarship sponsored through the AgriFutures Honeybee and Pollination program.
He grew up in Darwin before moving to a property in the Adelaide Hills at 10.
"I gained my passion for agriculture from visiting neighbouring properties and friends' places in the Adelaide Hills," he said.
Mr MacCartie said he was passionate about helping farmers be more sustainable while achieving good yields.
He said the world of bees and pollination, as well as soil science, were where his interest lied.
"The AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to pursue my passion and interests in agriculture," he said.
"I am most looking forward to the industry aligned placements because this will give me a good insight into what I might like to do post-graduation.
"I'm excited about being able to talk and network with industry experts within the bee sector! I am very much looking forward to being able to gain knowledge from these people."
RELATED READING:
An interest in the Australian environment and tropical agricultural systems has helped drive Ayla Christophers into her field.
The Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences student was born in Adelaide but moved to Darwin in high school.
"After the completion of my degree, I would love to use my knowledge to address issues in Northern Australian such as food security, climate change and increasing the sustainability of agricultural practices," she said.
"I am an avid believer that science is one of the best ways to help people and the environment."
Ms Christophers has been supported by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation.
"Being able to participate in an industry placement with the CRDC is a great opportunity and I am keen to learn more about the development of the cotton industry in Australia, particularly in the north," she said.
"I feel privileged to be provided with guidance within the program and am very excited to meet new people though networking opportunities the scholarship provides."
The 2022 sponsors include GRDC , Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia, Australian Eggs, Australian Wool Innovation, Dairy Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, Hort Innovation, CRDC, FMC Australasia and the AgriFutures Emerging Industries, Honeybee and Pollination and Agrifood Innovation Programs.
Mr Harvey said the Horizon sponsors had a significant contribution to the program, particularly in offering student's valuable exposure to the agricultural sector.
"The diversity of industry sponsors reflects the desire across the board to focus on our future leaders who will build prosperous and sustainable rural industries of the future," he said.
"I encourage scholars to make the most of the fantastic opportunities their industry sponsors provide.
"They will be able to collaborate across rural industries and participate in valuable work placements and attend workshops that will open doors to a successful career in their chosen field."
All students involved with the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship program will attend a four-day workshop in July focused on leadership and personal development.
The workshop will feature special guest speakers, industry experts and also provide the opportunity to network, meet sponsors and discuss innovations and challenges in the agricultural sector.
Other recipients are University of Melbourne students Amy Ferguson (CRCNA) and Macey Holland (FMC Australasia); University of New England's Amy Clementson ( Hort Innovation); Charles Sturt University's Charlotte Nugent (MLA), Marieke Hoellscher (AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program) and Mitchell Salan (Dairy Australia); Curtin University's Hugo Quinn (GRDC); University of Sydney's Jenna Wright (GRDC), Thomas McPherson (AgriFutures Agrifood Innovation Program) and Tirza Winarta (Australian Eggs); James Cook University's Jessica Curran (AWI) and Samuel Stone (Dairy Australia); Southern Cross University's Luke Austin (CRCNA); and University of Qld's Lachlan Bryant (GRDC), Laura Carniel (FMC Australasia) and Sarah Hamblin (MLA).
Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Sign up here to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.
