22 students get $10K to ‘kickstart leaderships skills, expand networks’

The 2023 Horizon Scholarship is awarding 22 students across Australia with a $10,000 scholarship fund over two years to help develop the next generation of rural leaders.  

As part of the program, students also get to attend an annual four-day professional development workshop and complete two weeks of industry placement each year, all covered by the support of their sponsor.  

John Harvey, AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, congratulated the winners on their success and welcomed them to the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship program.   

“Congratulations to our 2023 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship recipients, whose exceptional passion, ambition, and commitment to agriculture has distinguished them from a talented pool of applicants. We are so appreciative to our industry sponsors for their investment in supporting the next generation of rural leaders,” said Harvey. 

Students are carefully paired with industry sponsors that align with their career aspirations and industry experience. Support from sponsors is key to the program’s success and assists students to network with industry leaders and learn new skills relevant to a career in their chosen field.   

2023 sponsors include Grains Research & Development Corporation, Kalyx Australia, Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre, Baiada Poultry, Southern NSW Innovation Hub, Australian Eggs, Australian Wool Innovation, Dairy Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, Hort Innovation, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, AgriFutures evokeAG., and the AgriFutures Export Fodder, Thoroughbred Horses, Rice, Pasture Seeds and Chicken Meat Programs. 

Harvey thanked the Horizon Scholarship sponsors and acknowledged their significant contribution to the program, particularly in offering students valuable exposure to the agricultural sector. 

“The AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship Program would not be possible without our sponsors. The diversity of industry sponsors reflects the desire across the board to focus on our future leaders who will build prosperous and sustainable rural industries of the future.   

“I encourage scholars to make the most of the fantastic opportunities their industry sponsors provide. They will be able to collaborate across rural industries, participate in valuable work placements and attend workshops that will open doors to a successful career in their chosen field,” said Harvey.