Victorian dairy farmers are invited to seize a unique opportunity by applying for the 2025 Nuffield Farming Scholarship.

Each year, Gardiner Foundation in partnership with Nuffield Australia offers a Nuffield Farming Scholarship to a Victorian dairy farmer. The successful scholar will embark on a 15-week immersive experience in purposeful learning and international travel, supported by a $40,000 grant.

“The scholarships offer a unique opportunity to visit, learn from and collaborate with some of the world’s leading agricultural businesses,” Nuffield Australia CEO and 2013 Nuffield Scholar Jodie Redcliffe said.

“In opening these scholarships, we’re encouraging farmers and other industry participants to think big and see what’s possible for their business and industry in 2025 and beyond.”

Nuffield Australia awards around 20 scholarships each year. Its partnership with Gardiner Foundation is an opportunity for a Victorian dairy farmer to investigate an agricultural topic of their choice and to innovate on their own farms and in dairy communities.

Gardiner CEO Allan Cameron, said programs like Nuffield strengthen the knowledge, experience and networks of current and future dairy leaders.

“Gardiner supports the Nuffield Scholarship program to offer forward-thinking Victorian dairy farmers an opportunity to explore best practice in agriculture globally and then share their findings with the local industry,” Mr Cameron said.

The Nuffield program opens doors to exciting and rewarding experiences. Whether it’s walking the halls of Westminster or Washington DC or touring a leading wheat and maize research facility in Mexico, a scholarship presents a career-defining opportunity.

In 2021, South Gippsland local, Lucy Collins, received a Nuffield Farming Scholarship. Lucy spent time in the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States, Canada and Singapore.

“Travelling with Nuffield was a fascinating and eye-opening experience. We saw everything from micro to mega-dairies, from 12 to 40,000 cows,” Lucy said.

“But no matter the size of the business, there were a lot of similarities across countries – labour shortages, public perception, climate volatility, input costs and access to water were challenges almost everywhere.”

Once Lucy started the program, her expectations and goals changed with her experiences during her travels saying she feels part of a global community.

“I have come away from the experience realising how important it is to invest in developing people and leaders in our dairy communities,” she said.

Applications closed on Friday, May 31.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed during June, with a final round of interviews in August. Successful recipients will be announced at the Nuffield Australia National Conference in Launceston from 2-6 September.

Find out more and apply at https://www.nuffield.com.au/how-to-apply