Thirteen young farmers from across Victoria have received scholarships of up to $10,000 to undertake agricultural training and study thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford announced the winners of the third Young Farmers Scholarship Awards in a ceremony at Parliament today.
Recipients will receive grants of up to $5,000 to support agricultural training and study in areas such as farm management, business and financial literacy, risk management, and product development.
When they complete their studies, they will receive an additional funding boost of up to $5,000 to invest on-farm or in professional development – putting their new skills into practice.
The additional funding will help these young farmers apply their skills and secure jobs in the sector.
The $125,000 scholarship program is part of the Labor Government’s ongoing investment to attract and support the next generation of farmers and ensure the future prosperity of Victoria’s $13.1 billion agriculture sector.
Twenty five young people across regional Victoria have already benefitted from this training opportunity and are now putting their skills to work in our agriculture sector.
Examples of eligible courses include a Diploma in Agriculture, human resources training, business management courses, a Diploma of Agribusiness Management and a range of on-farm technical training.
Applications for next year’s scholarships will be open in early 2018 to farmers aged 35 or under.
The successful recipients are below PTO.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“With the enthusiasm and ideas of tomorrow that our young farmers have – I am looking forward to seeing their dedication propelling Victorian agriculture forward.”
“Our young farmers are our future. This is about giving our next generation of food and fibre producers that competitive advantage to take the next big step in their career.”
“The Scholarship program is all part of the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to attract and support the next generation of farmers to ensure Victoria’s regions retain the talent needed for the future prosperity of our $13.1 billion agriculture sector.”
The successful recipients are:
Merryn Byrne, PEECHELBA EAST
Georgia Haw, DURHAM OX
Kate Kirk, LOCH
Joanna Trevaskis, WAIREWA
Nicholas Blandford, BAIRNSDALE
Benjamin Cameron, SKIPTON
Jake Howman, ROSEWHITE
Albert Nunn, SNAKE VALLEY
Tom Schofield , TABOR
Alister Woods, INVERLEIGH
Samantha Lizars, FLAGGY CREEK
Amanda Maher, PIRA
Samantha Potter, BARANGAROOK
Reviewed 19 August 2020