‘A real privilege’: Take a look at Victoria’s farming young guns leading the next generation

Young farmers from across Victoria have been awarded a state government grant to help them in their agricultural journeys. See the full list of winners.

From intergenerational farming families to new starters making their mark, some of Victoria’s brightest and best young farmers have been celebrated at the 2021 Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarship Awards.

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas presented 13 agriculture young guns with scholarships at a ceremony in Melbourne on Tuesday, December 7.

The program, which has awarded 89 scholarships since 2015, supports young farmers with up to $10,000 to boost their skills and careers.

One of the deserving recipients was Andrew Lay, who runs cattle from his property near Warragul in Gippsland.

Mr Lay said he was very proud to have earned the award, which will help him fund the development of his farm.

“When I heard the news, it was very exciting and a real privilege,” he said.

“It was exciting and gave me a real sense of achievement.

Victorian Government Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas with the 2021 Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarship Award winners. Picture: Supplied

“I have never gotten a scholarship before, so I was really chuffed.

“It is a big deal and $10,000 is a lot of money so I was pretty stoked.”

The 27-year-old has always been interested in farming, but in the last few years he has begun building up his own lot of cattle at a property 20 minutes south of Warragul.

“I have had a keen interest in farming itself and have learnt about the industry through family and friends,” he said.

“I spent time on the land helping where I could and that passion just grew and then I figured out I want to go farming and love the lifestyle of it.”

As part of the 2021 Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarship Awards each recipient is eligible for up to $5,000 to upskill through study and training, followed by $5,000 to invest in

putting new skills into practice with on-farm equipment and technology or further professional development.

For Mr Lay, he said the scholarship will allow him to complete further education to make his farm more profitable.

“Education is a bit lower on the list because there is always something you can spend your money and time on,” he said.

“But this program catapulted me and I progressed through the steps.

“The funding will give me the skills to run my property better, take better care of the land and improve my production.

“It will let me put these new skills into practice.

“As part of the funds I also want to get a consultant to come out onto our farm and get a plan in place for the future.”

Joining Mr Lay as a winner was Heathcote wine producer Madeleine Marson, who plans to use her scholarship to undertake further training in the viticulture sector.

The 33-year-old has been working intensely in the family vineyard for the past five years, and she has some innovative ideas to improve future yields.

Thanks to the scholarship, Ms Marson will be pursuing a low herbicide and environmentally sustainable improvement to the way her vineyard grows their fruit.

“To receive the award is really encouraging,” she said.

“We have been using crop covers and using straw under the vines to remove weed competition.”

“One of the things we have been talking about is reducing herbicide and improving our environmental sustainability.”

Ms Marson also said the funding will help as she works towards completing her wine business studies with Charles Sturt University.

“It is not easy with drought and the changing climate, but it encourages you to say you are on the right track and to keep trying different ideas and sustainable ideas to develop a crop and treating it kindly,” he said.

“It definitely gives you extra motivation to get through the study.

“It was great to hear the news and it gives you the extra bit of encouragement.”

2021 Upskill and Invest Young Farmers Scholarship Award winners:

• Thomas Amery, cropping and livestock, Benalla
• Andrew Lay, livestock (beef), Baw Baw
• Lianli Lin, aquaculture, Wyndham
• Timothy McCann, dairy, Wellington
• Jackie McGrath, livestock (beef), Benalla
• Jasmine Mcjames-Court, mixed livestock (dairy and beef), South Gippsland
• Tanya McKenzie, livestock (sheep), Ararat
• Grace Morrison, cropping and livestock (sheep), Corangamite
• Brooke Peel, mixed livestock, Moyne
• Lauren Schmidt, cropping and livestock, Wellington
• Daniel Toohey, mixed livestock, Moorabool
• Dougal McAllister, cropping and sheep, Rupanyup
• Madeleine Marson, viticulture, Heathcote

After delivering the awards, Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said she wanted her government to continue to invest in agriculture’s next generation.

“Young farmers are the future of Victoria’s agriculture industry, and we are excited to invest in their skills to support a strong, innovative and sustainable sector,” she said.

“The calibre of the 2021 applicants was excellent and showcases the passion of our young producers to excel in this industry.

“There’s no doubt that the future of our agriculture sector is in the best hands.”

The 2022 Young Farmers Scholarship program will open in mid-2022.

For more information on the program and the next round of scholarships visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/youngfarmers.