Barenbrug scholarship a growth opportunity for young farmer

He may not have a farming background, but the first recipient of the new Barenbrug Plant Science Innovation Undergraduate Scholarship is definitely a farmer at heart.

Angus Grant, who’s studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture and Professional Accounting), has already enjoyed a three-year stint on a research farm at PGG Wrightson, and began grazing lambs before he even finished high school.

According to Barenbrug Marketing Manager Jo Brady, his myriad achievements make him a perfect fit for the organisation’s inaugural scholarship.

“Angus has really set the bar high, and we are looking forward to hosting him on a day out at the research station as part of his scholarship, so he can see how we operate,” she said. “It will be a great opportunity for him to get a taste of how a global commercial agricultural company functions.”

Angus was first initiated into the farming lifestyle at the age of 10, when he had a conversation with a Southland farmer who owned the neighbouring house in his Papanui neighbourhood. After that encounter, he began spending his school holidays at the Ohai sheep, beef and deer farm, as well as nurturing his entrepreneurial spirit.

“I’ve always been really keen on farming, ever since I was little,” he said. “As well as getting work experience on the Southland Farm, I got into grazing empty, overgrown sections that had been left vacant after the earthquakes. I traded lambs and ewes on around 20 blocks of land.”

He had his heart set on attending Lincoln from a young age, given the university’s agricultural credentials, and the fact that he takes his footy “pretty seriously”.

Eventually, he hopes to farm full time. 

Barenbrug and Lincoln enjoy many existing connections, with alumnus and Bledisloe Medallist, Selwyn Manning, founding Barenbrug NZ’s origin company, Agriseeds.

“Approximately a third of Barenbrug’s staff are Lincoln alumni and we have a long-standing graduate programme that has led to the hiring of many Lincoln graduates,” Jo said.

“There’s also a lot of collaboration between the two organisations in terms of research. We want to deepen and broaden our partnership with the university in the interests of advancing the agricultural sector, so this scholarship programme is a great way to be able to do that. We already work on a range of projects with Lincoln, including career events, research projects and the annual Food and Fibre Awards & Networking Dinner.”

Angus said he looked forward to taking the opportunity to spend a day at the research station.

“It will be so great to meet people there and learn how they work.”