Joshua Ronalds, Lucy Ford: 21 young agriculture students awarded AgriFutures Horizon Scholarships
An aspiring poultry vet from Ballarat and a rising star from a Jindivick dairy family are among recipients of a lucrative ag scholarship.
Helping farmers maximise sustainability and animal welfare while remaining productive and profitable across all sectors – from intensive animal systems to broadacre cropping – is the lofty goal of 21 young people who want to make a difference in the agriculture industry.
Gippsland’s Joshua Ronalds and Ballarat’s Lucy Ford are two of this year’s 21 recipients of an AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship, which gives university students a $10,000 bursary and a chance to kickstart their careers through work with agribusinesses, peak farming bodies and ag research groups.
Joshua hopes to forge a career in sustainable horticulture while Lucy is passionate about maximising animal welfare in intensive chicken and pig production systems.
Meet all 21 ambitious young people, who represent ag’s bright future.
JOSHUA RONALDS, VICTORIA
Joshua, 21, grew up on his family’s dairy farm at Jindivick, in West Gippsland.
He still sometimes works on the property, which is now run by his uncle Steve Ronalds, co-founder of Gippsland Jersey. Involvement in the dairy sector has made him appreciate how important on-farm soil and pasture management is for productivity and profitability.
But his eyes were truly opened to the power of sustainable practices when he travelled to Zimbabwe with the Foundations for Farming group.
“I definitely did find it very rewarding going overseas to Zimbabwe to help farmers there,” he said.
“In Zimbabwe, traditionally they would be ploughing paddocks frequently.
“They would be planting maize, which is their main crop, year after year, and degrading the soil every year.
“As a result they were only seeing yields of half a tonne of maize per hectare.”
Through work with Foundations for Farming, Joshua helped producers implement minimum tillage systems, which helped the Zimbabwean farmers achieve maize yields as high as 10 tonnes a hectare.
“That showed me how sustainable agriculture can be a really good thing for farmers to be doing to improve their productivity … and therefore profitability.”
Now back in Australia, he is studying agricultural science at Charles Sturt University, with a strong interest in sustainable horticulture.
“I think one of the challenges is that sustainable agriculture practices are often viewed as not being particularly productive,” he said. “But they definitely can be as productive or more so.”
He is also passionate about helping the horticulture sector find solutions to labour challenges.
Joshua’s Horizon Scholarship has been sponsored by Hort Innovation.
LUCY FORD, VICTORIA
Charles Sturt University vet science student Lucy Ford grew up in Ballarat, and discovered an interest in livestock production during a secondary school ag program at Ballarat Grammar.
“I have always been very interested in intensive animal systems,” said the 22-year-old.
“I have been involved in egg production and done a bit in piggeries; I think there is a lot of opportunity there and is going to be an increasing demand on those industries to meet increasing consumer demands. It always comes down to consumer demand; you have to make sure you are producing a product that consumers want to buy.”
For Lucy, that means ensuring intensive animal production output can be maintained or increased while also maximising animal welfare.
“In terms of producing meat products, intensive animal production it is probably the most efficiency way to do it,” she said. “Increasingly you have to justify how you are meeting animal welfare requirements, both behavioural and health.
“I think we will have a juggle going forward and that piques my interest. I think it is a really exciting mixing pot of a lot of different inputs.”
Lucy will work with Baiada Poultry as part of the Horizon Scholarship program.
ALICE ALEXANDER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Alice Alexander grew up on a small farm just outside Mount Gambier and became interested in studying agriculture when she completed a research project on cattle feed supplements and methane emissions in year 12.
Now in her second year of a bachelor of agricultural sciences at the University of Adelaide, she has an interest in plant genetics and its impact on yields and plant strength.
Sponsored by AgriFutures Export Fodder program, she is excited about gaining experience and accessing expert knowledge and skills in the field.
ARRAN HERSBURGH, VICTORIA
Arran Hersburgh grew up in the Melbourne suburbs, but spent weekends on his grandfather’s rural property. After a gap year, he moved to Townsville to study, and developed a love for livestock production.
Fascinated by the role new technology and artificial intelligence are going to play in the move to autonomous farming, he hopes to use his knowledge of veterinary science to improve production efficiency and explore new market opportunities for red meat.
He is sponsored by Meat and Livestock Australia.
BEN PEDEN, NSW
Ben Peden grew up on Sydney’s North Shore and developed a passion for agriculture in high school at Barker College.
He is now in his third year of an ag science degree at the University of Sydney, and is fascinated by the role of agtech in improving yields while maintaining sustainability.
“I am motivated by the need to feed a rapidly growing population,” he said. “I think that given demand, there is a lot of room for different practices to increase yields while maintaining environmental protection.
“I am incredibly humbled to be awarded the Horizon Scholarship – as an urban kid, it gives a great platform to engage with those working rurally to allow for shared knowledge and advancement of the industry.”
CHARLIE SHADWELL, NSW
Charlie Shadwell grew up in suburban Dubbo, with relatives who ran sheep, cattle and cropping enterprises.
He developed a passion for the agriculture industry through family and while at secondary school at Farrer in Tamworth, where he discovered an interest in genetic selection through involvement in the school’s White Suffolk and Merino flocks.
Now studying vet science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, Charlie is excited to be supported by Australian Wool Innovation Limited on his Horizon Scholarship.
He hopes to learn more about the factors influencing the productivity of sheep reproduction, including woolgrower education and best practice management, ewe nutrition and supplementary feeding, mob dynamics and climate variability.
DANIEL BRONITT, QUEENSLAND
After growing up in Brisbane, Daniel Bronitt moved to Canberra for tertiary study, where he is pursuing a degree in biotechnology and science, majoring in agricultural innovation and mathematics.
After his studies, Daniel hopes to work in biosecurity or agricultural research and development.
He has been sponsored by Rice Australia, which will give him more insight into plant breeding and genetics.
ELLA FLEMING, QUEENSLAND
Originally from Brisbane, Ella Fleming is studying a bachelor of veterinary science at Gatton.
She is interested in performance horses, optimising reproductive performance and disease control.
Through her scholarship, she will work with the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program and learn from top industry professionals.
ELLIE BUCHANAN, NSW
Currently studying a bachelor of science at the University of Melbourne, Ellie moved to Mudgee as a teenager, where she gained an interest in agriculture.
She has been sponsored by Dairy Australia, and is excited to learn how the organisation operates and meet people within the dairy community.
GEORGIE OLDHAM, NSW
Growing up in Sydney, Georgie had little exposure to agriculture until attending Barker College, where her interest in ag developed.
She is studying a bachelor of rural science at University of New England and is passionate about plant breeding and genetics.
She will work with the Cotton Research & Development Corporation on research in the cotton industry – something she never envisioned would be possible given her “non-traditional agricultural upbringing”.
“It is an honour to be able to set an example for women and people from non-traditional farming backgrounds within the industry,” she said.
GRACE MOLONEY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Grace grew up on a farming property near Maitland on the Yorke Peninsula.
Growing up near cereal enterprises, and working with Viterra seasonally, inspired her passion for the grains industry.
Grace is sponsored by Grains Research & Development Corporation.
HAYLEE MURRELL, NSW
Growing up at Gunnedah in northwest NSW, Haylee has always been excited about the career opportunities in agriculture.
Studying a bachelor of agriculture at the University of New England, her passion lies with the cropping sector and is looking forward to being supported by Kalyx.
“Coming from a region in Australia that is dominated by broadacre cropping, I am excited to gain a greater insight into different areas of cropping, agronomy and horticulture that I have not yet experienced,” she said.
HOLLY MILLER, NSW
Growing up at Tamworth and Narrabri in rural NSW, Holly developed a love for agronomy.
Once she finishes her degree, she hopes to work as an agronomist specialising in crop diseases, to help growers in rural NSW maximise crop yields.
She is sponsored by Grains Research & Development Corporation.
IMOGEN MORRISON, QUEENSLAND
Originally from Brisbane, Imogen is studying a bachelor of agribusiness at the University of Queensland, and is excited about the endless opportunities that agriculture holds.
She is sponsored by the Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre and will investigate new and sustainable products, research and new findings from the marine environment.
ISAAC HALLING, QUEENSLAND
Isaac grew up working on his uncle’s grain farm in Bowenville, Queensland, and completed a Certificate III in agriculture during secondary school.
He is studying bachelor of agricultural engineering (honours) and a bachelor of science, majoring in plant agricultural science at the University of Southern Queensland.
His goal is to work designing future agricultural machinery and equipment, or work with genetically modified organisms. He has been sponsored by AgriFutures Australia.
JARRAH RANSOME, NSW
Jarrah grew up at Gundagai NSW, and is studying a bachelor of animal science at the University of New England.
Recognising the global importance of the chicken meat industry, Jarrah looks forward to working with the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program.
LUCY WALSH, VICTORIA
Originally from Melbourne, Lucy moved to a small sheep property at The Rock when she was 14.
“I fell in love with agriculture through my agriculture class at school and a few passionate teachers, and my own growing experiences at home,” she said.
She is passionate about emerging opportunities in animal biotechnology to support animal health and feed the increasing global population, especially in the poultry industry.
She is sponsored by Australian Eggs.
“I have always loved chickens and I am keen to learn more about this amazing industry and the people in it,” she said.
NATALIE SAWYER, NSW
Another former Barker College student, Natalie is in the third year of a bachelor of rural science at the University of New England at Armidale.
Genetic improvement through biotechnologies and precision ag techniques are her main interests.
“When I finish my degree, I would love to be involved in research and development that aims to improve cropping precision, efficiency, resilience and sustainability, particularly carbon sequestration,” she said.
She is sponsored by the Grains Research & Development Corporation.
NIAMH MASON, NSW
Niamh grew up on a mixed enterprise between Finley and Jerilderie in NSW, where her family produces rice, wheat and canola, and runs sheep and cattle.
Studying agricultural science at the University of Queensland at Gatton, she is passionate about food and fibre sustainability and security.
She hopes to work in research agronomy, plant breeding or crop pest control.
Niamh’s sponsor is Cotton Research & Development Corporation.
“It’ll be exciting to potentially meet with researchers and learn more about GM cotton and how cotton varieties continue to develop, and change depending on pest and weed capabilities,” she said.
TEALE SIMMONS, NSW
As the fifth generation on a family citrus farm, Teale saw his parents introduce organic vegetables and free-range pigs to the enterprise.
Working on the Hawkesbury farm helped him develop an interest in sustainable practices.
After his degree, Teale hopes to help farmers improve soil health.
He is sponsored by the Grains Research & Development Corporation.
TESSA COOK, QUEENSLAND
Tessa grew up on a mixed enterprise cattle and cropping property about 60km northwest of Clermont in Queensland.
After working at home for two years after high school, Tessa applied to study a bachelor of veterinary science at James Cook University in Townsville.
Now in her fourth year, she is passionate about the beef industry, in particular bovine reproduction and genetics.
“I was fortunate enough in my gap years to complete a pregnancy testing and artificial insemination certificate through the Emerald Agricultural College, which drove me to broaden my knowledge and apply to study Veterinary science,” she said.
She is sponsored by Meat and Livestock Australia.
‘We would’ve lost it forever’
When Neerim parents discovered their local school faced permanent closure, the community made a plan for it to reopen.
Loreto College student tops state in VCE ag
The opportunity to get outside of the classroom and visit farms and nurseries helped Arna Howard achieve a top score in her VCE ag exam. See the honour roll.