Amy Ferguson
Sponsored by Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA)
View profileSponsored by Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA)
View profileSponsored by Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA)
View profileBachelor of Agriculture at The University of Melbourne
I grew up on a small sheep farming property in the rolling hills of central Victoria, half an hour into the bush from the local town of Castlemaine. Whether it was working on the property or venturing through the local bush, I’ve spent much of my life outdoors and that has instilled a strong connection to the natural environment. It’s this love of the natural environment, and the evolving momentum of sustainable agriculture in Australia, that compelled me to study a Bachelor of Agriculture in Melbourne. Through study and beyond I hope to continue expanding my perspective and philosophy of farming in Australia and learn from professionals in the industry who are working to fortify the sustainability of agriculture and support the health and wellbeing of farming communities.
Being awarded the Horizon Scholarship is an incredible opportunity to create industry connections and learn from and work with innovative organisations that are making strides in the areas I hope to one day work in. I am particularly excited to work with the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) as the advancements they are making in regional development, and their broad levels of industry collaboration, is integral to the empowerment and centralisation of First Nations voices in Australian agriculture, something I am very passionate about upholding throughout my career.
Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at University of New England
I grew up on a family-owned vineyard in Mudgee in Central West NSW where my interest in agriculture began. I completed high school as a boarder at St Scholastica’s College in Sydney whilst my family moved around the country following my father on his own career in the agricultural industry where we spent time in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland on various horticultural properties. Whilst not always at home I spent my holidays there working and eager to learn about the industry.
I am currently studying a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting at the University of New England. I hope to pursue a career in financial/business management within the industry where I believe there is an opportunity to help shape the future of agriculture by positively influencing investment to reflect a balance of long-term sustainability and efficiency.
I feel privileged to be an AgriFutures Horizon Scholar in 2022 which recognises the importance of preparing the next generation to tackle the challenges the industry faces. I look forward to working with other like-minded individuals in workshops, expanding my network and gaining valuable knowledge along the way.
I am also excited to be working closely with Hort Innovation over the next two years who are industry leaders of research and development and marketing. I hope to broaden my knowledge of the many sectors they represent and gain an insight into their current marketing and trade projects.
Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences at The University of Adelaide
I was born in Adelaide, but my family and I moved up to Darwin, in the NT, when I was in high school. I have since grown to love Darwin’s lifestyle and community feel. My high school education sparked my interested in agriculture, as I have always loved science and found that agriculture was a great practical application of this. I am now currently studying my Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences at The University of Adelaide.
I am passionate about the Australian environment and tropical agricultural systems. After the completion of my degree, I would love to use my knowledge to address issues in Northern Australian such as food security, climate change and increasing the sustainability of agricultural practices. I am an avid believer that science is one of the best ways to help people and the environment.
I am very excited and grateful to have been chosen as one of the Horizon Scholars in 2022. Being able to participate in an industry placement with the Cotton Research and Development Corporation is a great opportunity and I am keen to learn more about the development of the cotton industry in Australia, particularly in the north. I feel privileged to be provided with guidance within the program and am very excited to meet new people though networking opportunities the scholarship provides.
Bachelor of Agriculture Business Management at Charles Sturt University
My name is Charlotte Nugent and I grew up on my family’s mixed farming property just out of Wagga Wagga, completing my education in Wagga and now continuing to study a Bachelor of Business Management at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.
I’ve always loved the land and had a passion for all things agriculture, starting in high school I really began to build connections in the beef industry as I began my own red angus stud and worked in and around many country and royal cattle shows across the country.
Post university I hope to continue to gain valuable industry knowledge and grow my networks. Professionally I’d love to head down a marketing and communications path, working predominantly in the Australian Beef industry.
Being a Horizon scholar opens many opportunities to build networks in the Australian agriculture industry, working alongside and learning from industry professionals to build my skills and expand my knowledge. It will provide multiple opportunities to partake in activities in different industries that form the larger Australian agricultural industry.
I am most excited to meet and network with like-minded people, growing our knowledge together as we help and learn from each other and the industry professionals that accompany us. I’m excited for the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and skills from industry professionals as I work alongside them during placements in the beef industry, as well as opening up potential job opportunities post-graduation.
Bachelor of Agricultural Science at The University of Adelaide
I’m Darcy MacCartie and I grew up in Darwin and moved to a property in the Adelaide hills when I was 10.
I gained my passion for agriculture from visiting neighbouring properties and friends’ places in the Adelaide Hills. After high school I went travelling around Australia and overseas, including working as a tour guide on the Ningaloo reef.
I’m now studying agricultural science and I’m passionate about creating a positive world for future generations to come. I’m also really passionate about helping farmers farm the land more sustainably, whilst achieving good yields to support them and their communities. When I finish my degree, I hope to go into research to help with the effort to feed the world. Hoping to branch into the field of bee’s and pollination or soil science!
The AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to pursue my passion and interests in agriculture. I feel very privileged to be able to receive the scholarship and hope that I will be able to take every opportunity it provides!
I am most looking forward to the industry aligned placements because this will give me a good insight into what I might like to do post-graduation.
I’m excited about being able to talk and network with industry experts within the bee sector! I am very much looking forward to being able to gain knowledge from these people.
Bachelor of Agricultural Science at The University of Adelaide
Hi, I’m Emily Chambers and I grew up in Adelaide, and attended metropolitan schools. In high school, I enjoyed biology, chemistry, economics, and financial maths, however I wasn’t exposed to a career in agriculture through my schooling.
It wasn’t until I learnt about the industrial production of superphosphate and ammonia in chemistry that I released science and agriculture were strongly linked. My grandparents actually have a farming property on the Yorke Peninsula, but I didn’t understand the many different career pathways beyond being a farmer.
Although I originally imagined my career in agriculture being based in a lab or an office, I now thoroughly enjoy learning in the field and imagine my career will end up tied to in-field production.
I am very honoured to be awarded a Horizon Scholarship, and to receive the industry support. I am also excited for the networking opportunities presented to me through the Horizon Scholarship Program. I look forward to attending the annual conference and meeting the other recipients. It will be beneficial for my learning and development to have conversations with other young people in agriculture, who come from different backgrounds, and hear their perspectives.
I am very grateful to be sponsored by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), as I would like to form connections to the grains industry through my internship placement. I like that the GRDC is invested in a range of projects covering many different constraints to grain production, so I will hopefully gain a broader knowledge of the industry.
Bachelor of Agribusiness at Curtin University
Hi, I’m Hugo and I come from Kalamunda, a town in the Perth Hills, situated 30 minutes from Perth. Although not from a farming background, I had the privilege of living in a semi-rural setting, developing a love for open spaces.
Attending a local private boy’s school, many of my best friends were boarders and I used to love hearing about their farms and country life.
I soon realised that agriculture would be something right up my alley, lined up a few days on my two friends’ cropping and sheep farms in Kukerin and Koorda. I then followed this with work experience with a family friend who is an agronomist, based in York and loved every minute of it. So, I decided to enrol in a Bachelor of Agribusiness at Curtin University.
I am most passionate about cropping and would like to work in extension agronomy when I finish my degree, planning and managing field trials, speaking at field walks and publishing reports about the findings, to benefit farmers and agriculture as a whole.
I am extremely excited to be awarded a Horizon Scholarship, because I believe it will allow me to network with like-minded people, but also industry leaders, to grow my skill set and build my knowledge, and to take advantage of some opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise have such as getting to work with GRDC, a corporation whose work I value greatly.
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Agriculture) at The University of Sydney
My name is Jenna Wright and I was born and raised in Sydney, and so I found my interest in agriculture purely by chance whilst at high school. I have a passion for genetics and biotechnology, with a focus on improving Australian crops to keep up with environmental changes and increasing consumer demands.
After I have completed my degree, I would love to be involved in plant research projects that aim to create better pest and disease resistance or environmental tolerance in broadacre or horticultural crops. I am keen to be involved in innovation that is making tangible improvements to the efficiency, quality, and resilience of Australian cropping.
I am so grateful to have been awarded a Horizon scholarship as it will greatly aid in gaining the experiences I need to make valuable contributions to Australian agriculture in the future. I’m most looking forward to becoming a more active and connected participant within the industry by developing relationships with my peers and industry leaders, so that I can broaden my perspectives beyond my own experiences.
Getting to work with GRDC excites me as they are involved with industry leading plant research that aligns with my passions and goals. Their relationships and connections with current crop innovation will open up career opportunities for me that I would not have been able to access otherwise. Coming from a non-agricultural upbringing, I am hoping that my involvement in this scholarship will give me a more well-rounded set of skills, knowledge, and perspectives so that I can contribute to more meaningful change in my future career.
Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook University
My name is Jessica Curran, and I am studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook University. I grew up in Central Western Queensland on a cattle and sheep station north-west of Longreach. Since I can remember I have been involved with every aspect of the family business, which certainly sparked my interest in livestock. I was fortunate enough during high school to attend boarding school and during our holidays my cousin Ella and I would make sure we never missed a muster, carting horses between our families’ properties.
After graduating school, I took a gap year to work on Iffley – a large cattle station north of Julia Creek in the gulf of Carpentaria. I spent the year riding horses, attempting to ride motorbikes and mustering and processing cattle. Since beginning my course I have been fortunate to experience many other faucets of agriculture including feedlotting, cropping, the performance horse industry and wool production.
I am extremely passionate about improving production systems to increase profitability and continue developing a sustainable future for primary producers. I am thrilled to be sponsored by AWI and the opportunities it will present. I am excited to enhance my knowledge of innovative practices within the sheep and wool industry and to learn from industry leaders about emerging opportunities and challenges. I am very grateful to be chosen for such an amazing program, which will provide networking and placement opportunities and will be pivotal in shaping my future as a livestock veterinarian.
Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Agronomy) at The University of Queensland
Hi, I’m Lachlan Bryant and I grew up in a small town called Kenilworth, a small farming town about two hours north of Brisbane. I have lived on my Mum’s 900-acre dairy, poultry, and beef farm for most of my life. I love everything farm-related and, over the years, have had multiple farm-related hobbies, including beekeeping. I attended Nambour Christian College in high school and was very involved in the Ag department. I’m now studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Queensland.
I am super passionate about everything agriculture but am particularly invested in helping farmers and making agriculture more sustainable. I think the word sustainable agriculture is used a lot, but for me, it’s about making agriculture future proof for everyone. Studying at a top agriculture university, I see first-hand the fantastic research being done. I believe though that that research is of no use unless someone can translate the scientific information to real-world situations.
To have been awarded the Horizon Scholarship makes me feel both very fortunate and very proud of myself. I’m most looking forward to the annual Horizon Scholarship Workshop, which will allow me to gain valuable knowledge and strong partnerships with other scholars.
When I found out that GRDC was giving me the opportunity to work with them, I was thrilled. I’m excited to work with GRDC, but I am particularly interested in working with the teams that translate scientific literature to real-world applications, such as the GRDC Weed Ute guide.
Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) at The University of Queensland
Hello, my name is Laura Carniel, and I am a third year Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) student, majoring in Biomedical Science at the University of Queensland.
My experience of Australian agriculture is through the lens of growing up on a horticultural farm in the Lockyer Valley, Queensland. I spent my childhood surrounded by a range of mixed farming enterprises, including fresh vegetable production, livestock, dairy farming, therapeutic plants, plant nurseries and bee keeping that came together in regular farmers markets which was a great opportunity to understand regional communities and gain consumer insights.
With work experiences alongside agronomists, analysing soil and plant health, I have learnt that science plays a key role in enabling farmers to understand how to best achieve optimal food production. As I graduate from the Bachelor of Advanced Science, I am interested in combining my passions and applying my knowledge with agriculture as a foundation. Biomedical Agriculture is an emerging field that could provide a systematic approach to food crop and livestock improvement for prevention of chronic diseases.
I am honoured to be a 2022 Horizon Scholar. I am looking forward to broadening my experience within the Agricultural industry and new opportunities that extend my knowledge. I am excited to engage with industry leading professionals solving global agricultural challenges and networking with other like-minded scholars and alumni.
My sponsor, FMC Australia, focusses on advancing farming through innovative and sustainable crop protection technologies. I am interested to learn how innovative agribusinesses and services develop fit for purpose solutions that enhance people’s health.
Bachelor of Science, Specialisation in Environmental Systems and Marine Science and Management at Southern Cross University
Hi, my name is Luke Austin and I have grown up on the Coffs Coast and study at University in Coffs Harbour.
I am passionate about planning, innovation and stewardship and the development of sustainable and robust aquaculture. Upon the completion of my degree, I hope to work at the intersections of regional development, industry, and sustainability to foster more sustainable and productive rural industry surrounding aquaculture. I am excited about cultivating the development of innovative emerging aquatic industries to grow capacity and deliver new products and services Australia and the world needs, and will benefit from.
To me, being awarded a Horizon Scholarship means the opening of many opportunities to grow my experience and vision. I am thrilled to be able to connect not only with industry but other scholars, to share ideas and grow my knowledge in the rural industries space. I think the support of the sponsors backing is meaningful and I think the program will offer a platform to further inform my direction and cultivate the next stages in my career.
Being sponsored by the CRCNA, I hope to uncover and better understand the opportunities that exist in the emerging aquaculture industry in Northern Australia. I am excited by the prospect consulting with stakeholders and the constructive viewing of findings with industry and community groups. An exposure to the extensive pipeline of key research projects presents an exciting opportunity to build on my own vison and career development looking forward and to be able to expand my network in the wider rural industries field.
Bachelor of Agriculture at The University of Melbourne
I’m Macey Holland and I grew up in Serpentine, a small rural town in Victoria on a fourth-generation mixed farming family.
After graduating Year 12 in 2020, I began my Bachelor of Agriculture at The University of Melbourne. I’ve also worked as a piggery attendant and a testing stand operator at Southern Stockfeeds. In addition. I am heavily involved in our family farm operations, and we have recently undertaken a new venture with our heritage listed woolshed.
When I finish my degree, I am interested in pursuing a career involving trade and sustainable resource management, however I am also really passionate about building relationships between rural and metropolitan communities. A main goal of mine is to educate those who are not familiar with farming or farm related practises and promote the agriculture industry with honesty and transparency.
Being awarded the Horizon Scholarship is so exciting and I am extremely grateful to AgriFutures and FMC for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to meeting the current and past scholars, learning about their journeys in agriculture and future aspirations.
Being paired with FMC is such an exciting prospect for me, their global influence and the opportunity to learn various perspectives outside Australia aligns perfectly with my values and goals. I’m also ecstatic to further immerse myself in this particular sector of Australian agriculture, expanding my current on-farm knowledge to learn more about the innovation of crop protection technologies.
Bachelor of Agriculture at Charles Sturt University
My name is Marieke Hoelscher, and I am from Jindera near Albury, NSW. I was born and grew up in Germany for the first six years of my life where my family has been farming since the 1500s. In 2007, we moved to Australia for a lifestyle change and my parents bought a small cropping farm here, as well as keeping our farm overseas. During year 12, I started becoming more interested in food security and Australia’s rural industries and decided to have a gap year to work in Northern Australia. I ended up getting a job at Uluru Camel Tours which started my passion for camels and utilising feral animals in Australia.
A work placement with Camel Milk NSW in late 2021 further cemented my interest in the emerging industries and the role they can be playing in Australian agriculture’s job of feeding the world.
During my first year of a Bachelor of Agriculture at Charles Sturt University in Wagga I have also become increasingly interested in carbon farming, regenerative Agriculture and improving marketing and Australian supply chains to sell our export commodities efficiently.
I am over the moon to be awarded a Horizon Scholarship and to be sponsored by the AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program as it will allow me to get more of an insight of the work AgriFutures does in sponsoring Emerging Industries and future career pathways in this sector. I am most looking forward to the networking with other scholars and stakeholders in emerging industries and finding out about their struggles and accomplishments.
Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Charles Sturt University
Hi, I’m Mitchell Salan and I was born and bred on the family farm at Yarragundry, an area close by to Wagga Wagga in Southern NSW.
Growing up on a small, 4th generation mixed farming enterprise of sheep and cropping, I was hooked on a future in agriculture from the beginning, despite the perception of its scale. Continuing my education through agriculture in high school, I was able to begin the process of linking the theoretical to the practical. Fast-track to university life, my degree studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science has further helped me understand the management behind the processes, where I have found my passion towards pastures, agronomy, and livestock.
This career path has been ignited through my passion for both livestock optimisation and plant production, where an integrated position as a livestock agronomist would hopefully place me in a more specialised advisory position.
Being awarded the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship means another steppingstone towards connections and relationships that can expose me to new opportunities in the industry. This is an exciting prospect, with the power of these associations through the program to take me further than I could individually. As such, its ability to guide me through specialising in both livestock and pastures/cropping will be invaluable.
Partnering with Dairy Australia and learning the intensive components within the industry will allow me to branch out and explore the possibilities in pastures and dairy cattle. Although the long-term industry relationships formed with Dairy Australia will be the most valued aspect of the experience.
Bachelor of Veterinary Technology at The University of Adelaide
My name is Ophelia Neumann and I am studying a Bachelor degree in Veterinary Technology at Adelaide University.
Growing up on my family’s mixed-enterprise farm in Yumali allowed me to get experience working with sheep, cattle, horses and cropping and this fuelled my passion for further study in agriculture. After graduating high school, I had a gap year and worked a season grain classifying for Viterra, went mustering on a station in Oodnadatta and worked as a pen rider for Thomas Foods Feedlot in Tintinara.
I currently work at a TMR feedlot dairy where we milk 300 head, where I’ve been fortunate to gain opportunities across all aspects of the operation from feeding out, working with the nutritionist, livestock agent and vet, milking, managing calves, and training staff.
After completion of my degree, I aspire to work in genetics and gain greater experience in breeding programs, particularly in the growing innovation with technology for embryos and genomic testing. I also enjoy sharing my skill set and knowledge with others around me and encouraging them to develop careers in agriculture. I hope to build me skills set and passion in management positions where I can have a positive influence training youth in agriculture and managing operations.
Being awarded the Horizon Scholarship is a great privilege and I’m really looking forward to networking opportunities with other scholars and industry professionals. I’m excited to take the next step in developing my career opportunities with the guidance and support of my sponsor Dairy Australia.
Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook University
My name is Sam Stone and I’m from Roma in Queensland. Growing up I spent the bulk of my childhood on my grandparent’s cattle property just near town. Whilst at school I sought out as much work as possible with local producers and at the Roma saleyards, drafting under different livestock agents. During my time away at boarding school I was involved with the cattle show team and after completing grade 12, I gained employment on a station in the Northern Territory before moving to Townsville to start my veterinary science degree.
I am passionate about all areas of protein production, especially beef and dairy production. I want to use my veterinary science degree to improve our understanding of ruminant nutrition, reproduction and disease control and how we can use science to not only increase the productivity of our national herd, but also to do it in a sustainable and ethical manner.
I consider myself extremely fortunate to be a recipient of this scholarship. It means a lot to me that AgriFutures and Dairy Australia have enough faith in my ability to give me this opportunity. I am looking forward to making connections with other likeminded people who are also passionate about Australian agriculture and to hear other people’s opinions and ideas for the future.
I look forward to the opportunities that are now in front of me thanks to Dairy Australia and to have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and take this knowledge forward into my career.
Bachelor of Agribusiness and Bachelor of Agricultural Science at The University of Queensland
My name is Sarah Hamblin and I grew up on a Wagyu beef property near Sarina, Queensland. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have grown up on the land, surrounded by cattle, horses and amazing people. My fortunate upbringing and my love for the rural lifestyle has fostered what is now my strong passion for agricultural.
I attended my local primary and state high school in Sarina, spending my weekends either at home helping with the family cattle operation, or competing and socialising at local Campdrafts. After graduating year 12, I deferred my university course and took a gap year, working as a station hand on a property near Mount Coolon, QLD.
I am really excited about the emerging opportunities being presented in the Ag Tech field, particularly in the red meat industry, and am also excited about seeing, and being a part of, the growth and development of technology involved in improving meat processing and meat-eating quality.
I am honoured to be awarded an AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship and to be given the opportunity to connect with the broad range of industry leaders and like-minded peers in the agricultural sector.
The opportunity to work alongside MLA as my sponsor is such a privilege and I can’t wait to broaden my knowledge in different sectors of the supply chain under the guidance of this world-leading organisation. I believe this whole experience will further develop my passion for this industry and help me work toward building a sustainable future for myself, my family and the entirety of the industry.
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Agriculture) at The University of Sydney
My name is Tom McPherson and I grew up in Canberra and moved to Sydney when I was eight years old. Except for the occasional farm visit, agriculture was not a major part of my life until high school. I developed a love for it through school and then spent some time working on a cattle station in the Northern Territory before starting my degree.
My passion is in understanding how the industry can benefit from the use of technology, and what it takes for agricultural innovations to be worthwhile for agricultural producers. When I finish my degree, I want to assist farmers in solving these challenges such as climate change, water scarcity and changes in consumer behaviour, either working in adoption programs or helping to create technologies that address their needs.
It’s such a privilege to be awarded the Horizon Scholarship in 2022. As someone wanting to better understand innovation in the industry, the opportunity to engage with leaders and peers from all parts of the agriculture sector is an invaluable opportunity. I am particularly looking forward to work placement and would love to spend more time on-farm, learning from producers about their systems and the challenges they need to solve.
Working with the AgriFutures Innovation Program is an amazing opportunity to learn about agricultural technology and its adoption in Australia. The most exciting part about working with AgriFutures is the ability to learn about the industry more broadly, rather than the specifics of one organisation or one industry.
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Food and Agribusiness) at The University of Sydney
My name is Tirza Winarta, and I am currently studying a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Food and Agribusiness) at the University of Sydney. I grew up in Sydney, and even though I didn’t come from a farming background, my passion for agriculture was sparked by my high school food technology teacher. I have always been interested in the emerging agricultural technologies that have the potential to reduce environmental impacts, while also delivering high-quality and nutritional products. Therefore, after finishing my degree, I hope to contribute to these technologies in the hopes to improve environmental outcomes.
I am so grateful for being awarded the Horizon Scholarship and am most looking forward to the industry events where I can network and build relationships with fellow Scholars who have a shared passion and commitment to agriculture. Having Australian Eggs as my sponsor is an exciting opportunity where I can gain hands-on experience as well as learn about current opportunities and challenges in the eggs industry.
Bachelor of Science
My name is Jessamy Zerner and I grew up on my family’s cattle property outside Murgon, QLD. Finishing high school at boarding in Brisbane, I was able to conceptualise the importance of agriculture in our evolving world. I am studying externally through Southern Cross University completing a Bachelor of Science, specialising in Regenerative Agriculture.
Although I realised the importance of agriculture whilst in school, it wasn’t until after graduation and working within a grazing property in South West Queensland that I knew my future would be in agriculture. I am passionate about grazing systems and largely the regenerative practices that can be implemented to increase production as well as improving the health of the landscape and those who live on it.
I am honoured and excited to be awarded a Horizon Scholarship sponsored by AgriProve. It will allow me to network with like-minded people, both my peers and those currently working within the industry. I look forward to the personal development and the industry support provided through the annual workshop. The skills and networks created will help with entering the next stage of my career. I’m excited about having the opportunity to work with AgriProve to see the positive impacts that they are creating for farmers and the agricultural industry.