University of Melbourne student Harrison Goy at the 2019 National Merino Challenge last week.

AGRIFUTURES Australia has announced the latest recipients of its 2019 Horizon Scholarship.

Twelve young people from across Australia have been recognised for their talent and commitment to the future of agriculture.

The scholars win $10,000 to help with study and living expenses for the final two years of the students’ agricultural related degree. The students also receive professional development workshops and work placements to kick start their career in agriculture, access to industry leaders, and opportunities to network and gain knowledge at a range of industry events.

The 2019 AgriFutures™ Horizon Scholarship recipients include University of Melbourne student Harrison Goy, who last week participated in Australian Wool Innovation’s 2019 National Merino Challenge in Sydney.

Harry grew up in regional Victoria and said he has always believed he was destined to study agriculture at the University of Melbourne.

“I was always a bit different at school and for a school project in Year 9, I wrote a book about how to rear calves.

“As a kid I leased some land and reared poddy calves,’ he said.

“I would buy bull calves off dairy farmers and then sell them onto the market when the time was right — that’s how I made money.”

Harrison is majoring in economics and in his honours year in 2020 will specialise in agribusiness, with a focus on venture capital.

“Some of my friend’s question why I want to do agriculture because they think it’s about sitting on a tractor but agriculture is about so much more.

“This is the stuff that keeps me awake at night and thinking about all the great possibilities that are out there,” he said.

Harrison said the National Merino Challenge is a fantastic opportunity to learn about wool.

“If you’re really lucky you might even get to meet some of the key players in the wool industry.”

He was sponsored by Hort Innovation for the AgriFutures scholarship.

The other scholarship winners and their sponsors are: Anna Drake, Beecroft NSW, University of Sydney, sponsor GRDC; Emma Rice, Parkes NSW, University of New England, GRDC; Kellie Maybery-Reupert, Oakleigh VIC, Monash University, GRDC; Matthew Nevison, Gordon NSW, University of Sydney, AgriFutures Australia; Montana Coombes, Melba ACT, Australian National University, AgriFutures Australia; Natasha Reading, Wallaloo East VIC, University of Melbourne, MLA; Sacha Pulsford, Hackett ACT, Australian National University, AgriFutures Australia; Sophia Thatcher, Armidale NSW, University of New England, AgriFutures Australia; Tom Grills, Barwon Heads VIC, University of Melbourne, GRDC; William Foster, Ross TAS, University of Melbourne, GRDC; Mikaela Tilse, Gundy NSW, University of Sydney, AgriFutures Australia.

AgriFutures Australia managing director John Harvey said he was thrilled to welcome the 2019 winners, selected from a talented pool of more than 130 applicants.

“We have hand-picked these young people because of their vision and commitment to the ever changing world of agriculture.”

Mr Harvey said the scholarship winners are paired with industry sponsors, giving them unprecedented access to the decision makers in agriculture.

“They will learn life skills such as relationship building, networking and the power of collaboration in our tech savvy, start-up world.”

2019 AgriFutures™ Horizon Scholarship sponsors include Hort Innovation, Australian Eggs, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), Dairy Australia, Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Westpac, Cotton Research & Development Corporation (CRDC), AgriFutures™ Chicken Meat Program, McGaughey Memorial Institute & AgriFutures Rice Extension Program and AgriFutures Australia.

The successful students will begin their journey by attending a four-day workshop in Adelaide in July focussed on leadership and personal development.

For more information: www.agrifutures.com.au/horizon