Scholarship Opportunities for Young People in Agriculture or Regional Areas
13 June 2011
Encouraging young people in agriculture and regional areas by giving them exciting career and study opportunities are the aims of two scholarships now on offer through the Advisory Board of Agriculture (ABA).
The ABA is keen to hear from young farmers (aged 18-35) who have innovative ideas to improve their farming practice or want to try a new business idea, or young people in regional areas who are keen to pursue further study. Grants of $8,000 and $5000, respectively, are available and both applications close 12 August 2011.
This year’s ABA’s Peter Olsen Fellowship for Young Farmers provides an $8000 bursary for a young farmer to pursue further study, take a study tour or run a special project.
The ABA Chair, Mr Richard Murdoch, says the Fellowship really provides an opportunity to boost the on-farm skills and knowledge of South Australia’s young farmers.
The award prize money, named in honour of Eyre Peninsula farming identity and Agricultural Bureau member Peter Olsen, is for young farmers to implement innovative ideas or techniques which contribute to more sustainable production.
Last years’ winner, Kangaroo Island farmer Rachel Chirgwin, used her funds to study sheep genetics in Scotland. Other winning projects have used the funds to upgrade a boutique winery, advance a beekeeping business, investigate the Danish pig industry and study artificial insemination of cattle.
The Rural Youth Bursary provides a $5000 opportunity for young people in regional areas to pursue further study, undertake a study tour, or to develop a project, to benefit the rural community.
The Bursary, established after Rural Youth wound up in 2008, was used by last years’ winner Chris Stacey to set up a soil and sap testing program across 4500 acres of land near Jamestown.
The 2009 recipient, Abbey McKenna, a teacher at Naracoorte High, used the funds to travel to East Africa where she investigated new ideas to build relationships between schools and the community, including ways of teaching non-mainstream students, students in need or at risk.
Mr Murdoch said: “The ABA is excited to again be offering the Peter Olsen Fellowship and the Rural Youth Bursary to young people; as the industry and regions always welcome young blood, fresh ideas and innovation – we encourage people to apply.”
Applications close Friday 12 August 2011. The award finalists will be invited to attend the Agricultural Bureau of SA’s AGM / Awards Night coined the “Spirit of Excellence” Award Night, to be held Monday 12 September 2011. The Spirit of Excellence Awards Night is supported by the ABA, Primary Industries and Resources SA, advisory company RSM Bird Cameron and the Stock Journal.
For media enquiries phone:
Richard Murdoch
Chair, Advisory Board of Agriculture
Phone: 0419 842 419
