ASPIRING Victorian dairy farmers are encouraged to make their mark in the industry by applying for the Gardiner Dairy Foundation 2023 Nuffield Scholarship.

A Gardiner Nuffield scholarship gives a Victorian dairy farmer an opportunity to study cutting-edge global agriculture, including an opportunity to travel overseas for 14 weeks.

Scholars will be challenged to research topics that add value to the Victorian dairy industry and will benefit from becoming members of the Nuffield alumni of more than 1500 members globally.

Gardiner chief executive, Allan Cameron said programs like Nuffield strengthen the knowledge, experience, and networks of current and future dairy leaders.

“Gardiner supports the Nuffield Scholarship program to offer forward thinking Victorian dairy farmers an opportunity to explore best practice in agriculture globally and then share their findings with the local industry,” he said. 

Gippsland dairy farmer, Aubrey Pellett, was the 2014 recipient of the Gardiner Nuffield Scholarship and said the experience had given him more confidence to look for solutions.

“If I’ve got a problem, I think - I’ve been around the world and been stimulated by different types of solutions,” he said.

“That makes you think there’s probably another approach you could take rather than do what’s always been done.”

Since completing his Nuffield, Mr Pellett has also taken on several industry roles including chairman of Rural Financial Counselling Service Gippsland, deputy chair Bonlac Supply Company, director GippsDairy, and was recently appointed as the farmer director on the Gardiner board.

Mr Pellett encouraged all farmers to consider applying for a scholarship.

“The scholarship increased my leadership opportunities because of the improved networks I now have,” he said.

This year there are 20 scholarships available to farmers, fishers, and those in associated industries between the ages of 28-45.

The recipients will get training in communication skills, and personal and professional development. 

Applications close on June 17, with recipients announced in September.

For more information, visit nuffield.com.au/.