Young Farmer scholarships assist aspiring ag leaders

The second year Lincoln University Bachelor of Agricultural Science student was the first recipient of the new scholarship, and received $1500 for planned professional development.

Georgia has a passion for improving sustainability and balancing farming practices and will use the money to fund her flights to Palmerston North for the NZ Hereford Youth Leadership Forum.

"I am also planning on attending the NZ Hereford Youth Development Forum later this year, as well as the BOMA Agri Summit Food and Fibre conference either this year or next, depending on when it fits in with exams," she says.

Next year, she is also very keen to "jump over the ditch to Australia for some extra practical experience in sheep and beef or stud stock work" and says the scholarship "will definitely allow me to progress towards those goals for the future as well".

Postgraduate student Jeremy Kilgour, who is President of the Lincoln University Students’ Association this year, was also awarded a scholarship.

He was the recipient of the World Congress Charitable Trust Scholarship from Young Farmers, also worth $1500, and will put the money towards the course fees for his Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree.

After graduating, he plans to gain more on-farm and consulting experience, before taking on an advisory role within the sector.

As he is keen to provide farmers with answers using quantified scientific literature, he has studied a broad range of topics including management, forestry, soil science, plant science and animal science.

"This will give me a greater knowledge of the practical side of farming systems as well as the strategic decision-making processes that rural professionals help farmers to make and achieve."

Both scholarship recipients are Lincoln University Young Farmers Club members, with Jeremy a former Chair and Georgia currently the Junior Vice-Chair.

Jeremy has also competed in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest, of which Lincoln University is a sponsor.