Young farmers across the state can now apply for the 2022 Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarships, which will support careers in the agriculture sector, helping the Yarra Valley’s farms to prosper.
Agriculture Victoria’s Acting Executive Director of Agriculture Policy, Dr Julie Simons encourages young farmers to apply for the scholarships that will allow them to take the next steps in their agricultural careers.
“In an industry that is undergoing constant evolution, fostering our young talent and giving them tools to thrive and succeed is vital,” said Dr Simons.
The program has awarded 89 scholarships since 2015 to eligible young farmers who can receive up to $10,000 each to upskill through training or education and to invest on-farm or for further professional development.
In 2021, thirteen young farmers were awarded scholarships across regions and industries including beef, sheep, cropping, horticulture, dairy, viticulture, and aquaculture, upskilling in topics such as agribusiness,
livestock management, and farm business management.
Following on, scholarship recipients often invest in professional development or business planning, or in on-farm initiatives such as electronic ID tags, digital scales, or consultant support.
Applications for this year’s round of scholarships are open to farmers aged 35 or under who have been working in farm businesses for at least three days a week for the past three months, with at least two years total experience on-farm.
Applications are now open and will close on Monday 18 April. To find out more about the program and to apply for a scholarship, visit the Agriculture Victoria website.
