TWO young local farmers have been announced as recipients of Agriculture Victoria’s Upskill and Invest - Young Farmers Scholarship 2022, providing them with the opportunity to invest in their careers.

Hamilton livestock farmer, Jess Frankel, and Gazette farmer, Elle Moyle, have both received the scholarship which sees up to $10,000 available per scholarship - $5000 to go towards study and $5000 to invest in putting new skills into practice through professional development, business planning, or other on-farm activities.

Ms Frankel has spent years working in the agriculture sector but more recently made the move to her partner’s family livestock farm. 

Ms Frankel plans to use the scholarship to upskill her knowledge by studying the foundations of farming and improving farm efficiency, with her invest funding going towards a head reader and software to support more efficient livestock management.

Ms Moyle has been surrounded by farming and agriculture her whole life, growing up on her parents’ Pathfinder Angus stud, and becoming a large animal vet which exposes her to the wider agriculture community. 

Ms Moyle said she then bought her first property at 27 years old and has recently purchased her second, where she runs Angus cattle and prime lambs.

She said this scholarship would allow her to upskill through completing an executive development program.

“I plan to use the scholarship to complete a face-to-face workshop which focuses on optimising farm business skills and strategy,” she said.

“The Ag Vic Young Farmers program is a fantastic opportunity for young farmers to develop their knowledge and skills.

“It will help my career as I expand my business.

“Going forward I am focusing on expanding my farming business and working with Pathfinder Angus.”

Ms Moyle said her invest funds would be put towards improving efficiency on her farm through a wireless trough sensor to manage water.

“I will be using the invest funds to purchase remote water monitor systems which allows me to improve efficiencies and detect issues instantly,” she said.

“This system is a game changer.”

The eighth round of Young Farmers Scholarships were awarded at a ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall last year, with Agriculture minister, Gayle Tierney, saying Agriculture Victoria is committed to supporting the next generation of farmers.

“Victoria’s young farmers are building a stronger sector that prioritises farm safety and sustainability,” she said.

 “I am so impressed with the 2022 Young Farmer scholarship recipients and look forward to seeing how they further enrich our state’s agriculture sector.”

The Upskill and Invest - Young Farmers Scholarship 2022 is designed to be flexible, to fit with the demands and ambitions of young farmers and farm workers.

Since the start of the program in 2015, the Agriculture minister has awarded scholarships to 102 young farmers who are 35 or younger.

To find out more about the program and to apply for a scholarship, visit vic.gov.au/youngfarmers