Applications are now open for the 2019 Nuffield Scholarships for Primary Producers, offering a great opportunity to any vegetable or potato grower looking to expand their understanding of horticultural production in Australia and overseas.

These scholarships offer rewarding benefits to recipients, including the opportunity to research a topic that the scholar believes will add value to the Australian agricultural industry and the chance to become a member of Nuffield Australia and the worldwide Nuffield Farming Scholars network.

The scholarships also offer a $30,000 bursary to study cutting-edge global agriculture, supporting an itinerary of 16 weeks of overseas travel in the 18 months of the scholarship.

They represent an excellent opportunity to broaden your perspectives about horticulture and the challenges faced by the Australian industry and growers, and can help you find new ways to gain a competitive advantage in your business or boost your growing productivity.

Hort Innovation supports scholarships through strategic levy investments, including an investment under the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund, meaning that horticulture growers have a valuable chance to bring international knowledge back to the Australian industry and help it succeed into the future.

Previous Nuffield scholars from our sector have focused on a diverse range of areas of interest, including:

• Victorian vegetable grower Emma Germano looking at the potential for Australian vegetable exports.
• Victorian herb producer Jan Vydra investigating the evolution and future of urban farming.
• South Australian vegetable grower Scott Samwell researching fusion farming methods to improve crop quality and nutrient density.

Applications close on Friday 15 June 2018. To learn more about these scholarships or to apply to become a Nuffield Scholar, visit the Nuffield Australia website.

Interested growers should also consider applying for a Churchill Fellowship, which also offers a funded pathway to international study in the horticulture sector.

This post appeared in the AUSVEG Weekly Update published 17 April 2018. Subscribe to the Update using our online form to receive the latest industry news in your inbox every week!