Food and Fibre Awards celebrates students, grows industry connections

The award ceremony and networking dinner was held last Friday, with 193 students attending in their finest dress. They were able to meet and engage with 49 professionals from 23 different organisations.

Students were able to approach the many tables spread throughout the ground floor of Lincoln’s new Waimarie building, learning more about the industry players they were interested in.

Catalyst Performance Agronomy business development manager Will Waddell said the event was "an absolute ball."

"We had a couple of beers and met some really good people."

Catalyst employed 3-4 Lincoln graduates each year and they were "an absolute critical piece to us moving forward."

Farmlands talent acquisition manager Dairne Bound said she loved having the opportunity to meet with and support local students.

It was good to be able to speak to students while they were doing their degrees, as graduates came with a high calibre qualifications, technical knowledge and experience that was valued in the industry, she said.

Being the Food and Fibre Awards, a large focus was put on the food served throughout the night, made using Alliance meat and served alongside Rossendale Wines.

Guests were welcomed to the dining hall by Prof Derrik Moot, who handed the podium to Vice Chancellor Grant Edwards and Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister of Agriculture Hon Mark Patterson to deliver their addresses.

Prof Moot then hosted the panel with guests AgAssist CEO Tony Dodunski and Winseed product development and research manager Harri Wulff, who told the stories of their education and how they developed their careers after Lincoln

Harri has been working for Winseed since 2022, starting after he graduated with a Masters of Agricultural Science.  Although the seed breeding and production company is based in Ashburton, Harri’s work is international. He recently returned from a five-month stay in India.

Tony is a proud dairy farmer and Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) graduate who designed AgAssist, a platform connecting farmers with workers. It was developed to meet the challenge of staffing busy famers during Covid and is now available throughout the country.

Together the pair discussed the challenges they faced after graduating and how they navigated the industry to reach their success.

Nineteen Lincoln students were recognised at the event with awards, celebrating their success and diligence in their chosen fields.

Faculty of Agricultural and Life Sciences student Amelia Ridgen won both 1^st Year Top Student and Agricultural Science Student of the Year.

She said the networking event was a valuable experience and made her think about what she might do after finishing her studies.

"It really made me feel like my degree will be valued in the industry and that there are endless opportunities out there.

"My favourite part was getting to share the night with my peers, and celebrate our time at Lincoln so far."

Bachelor of Land and Property Management 1^st Year Top Student Award winner Rachel O’Brien said the networking event opened her eyes to more options available to her after university.

I'm starting to reconsider what I might want to do with my degree.

The event was sponsored by AgReserach, Agricom, Agrimagic, ANZ, ANZCO Foods, Alliance, Ballance, Barenbrug, Beef+Lamb New Zealand, Catalyst Performance Agronomy, CRV, Far, farmlands, Kuehne+Nagel, Lumen, Ministry for Primary Industries, Macfarlane Rural Business, Perrin Ag, PGG Wrigtson Seeds, PGG Wrigtson, Pure South, Rabobank, Rossendale and Ravensdown.

Award winners:

Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Josh Irving - Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology (1st year) Top Student Award

Matthew O'Connor - Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology (2nd year) Top Student Award

Krugar Griffith - Bachelor of Science (1st year) Top Student Award

Zoe McNamara - Bachelor of Science (2nd year) Top Student Award

Amelia Ridgen - Bachelor of Agricultural Science (1st year) Top Student Award - Agricultural Science Student of the Year 2024 Award

Georgia Higinbottom - Bachelor of Agricultural Science (2nd year) Top Student Award

Breanna Holt- Bachelor of Agricultural Science (3rd year) Top Student Award

Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce

Georgia Davies- Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing (1st year) Top Student Award

Holly Abell- Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing (2nd year) Top Student Award

Darcy Keenan - Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) (1st year) Top Student

Josh van der Poel - Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) (2nd year) Top Student

Rachel O'Brien - Bachelor of Land and Property Management (1st year) Top Student Award

Louis Kirby - Bachelor of Land and Property Management (2nd year) Top Student Award,

Mac Scott - Bachelor of Land and Property Management (3rd  year) Top Student Award,

Morgan Cleary - Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) (1st year) Top Student Award,

Jacob Preston - Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) (2nd year) Top Student Award,

Feng Liu - Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) (2nd year) Top Student Award

Sophie Kerr - Diploma in Farm Management Top Student Award

Arabella Dudfield - Overall High Achieving Student Award 2024