Aspiring Victorian dairy leaders are being encouraged to make their mark in the industry by applying for the Gardiner Dairy Foundation’s 2020 Nuffield Scholarship.
Applications are now open for the program’s 2020 intake, giving Victorian dairy farmers an opportunity to study cutting-edge global agriculture, including an opportunity to tour overseas for 16 weeks.
Scholars will be challenged to research topics that add value to the Victorian dairy industry and will benefit from becoming members of the Nuffield alumni, engaging more than 1,500 members globally.
Gardiner Dairy Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Clive Noble, said that programs like the Nuffield strengthen the knowledge, experience and networks of current and future dairy leaders.
“Gardiner supports the Nuffield Scholarships program to offer positive and progressive dairy farmers an opportunity to explore best practice in agriculture globally and then share their findings with the local industry,” Dr Noble said.
“This leads to a stronger and more vibrant dairy industry.”
The 2014 recipient of the Gardiner Dairy Foundation’s Nuffield Scholarship, Gippsland dairy farmer Aubrey Pellett, said the experience made him reflect on what he does on his farm while learning what he could replicate from other operations.
Aubrey, who visited 15 countries as part of his Scholarship, said the experience had given him more confidence to look for solutions. “If I’ve got a problem, I think – I’ve been around the world and been stimulated by different types of solutions. That makes you think there’s probably another approach you could take rather than do what’s always been done.”
Aubrey encouraged all farmers to consider applying for a scholarship.
“The scholarship increased my leadership opportunities because of the improved networks I now have,” he said.
Applications for the 2020 Nuffield Scholarships close on Friday, June 14. For more information, visit http://nuffield.com.au/
For media enquiries, please contact Richard Meredith at the Gardiner Dairy Foundation on 0438 553 052 or richard.meredith@gardinerfoundation.com.au
About the Gardiner Dairy Foundation
The Gardiner Dairy Foundation invests to maximise benefit to all sectors of the Victorian dairy industry and dairy communities. The Foundation has made more than $60 million in cash contributions to over 730 projects for the dairy industry. With partner co-funding, this represents a $165 million contribution across the dairy value chain.
About Nuffield
The Nuffield Australia Farming Scholars’ mission is to develop potential and promote excellence in all aspects of Australian agricultural production, distribution and management through the adoption of local and international best practice, and continuous development of a unique network of industry leaders and innovators.