2010 Nuffield scholars announced

The New Zealand Nuffield Farming Scholars for 2010 were recently announced in front of their peers and industry leaders. The scholarships are worth $35,000 and provide an entrée to leaders and decision makers not accessible to the ordinary traveller.

The three successful applicants for 2010 are:

Paul McGill, Federated Farmers Wairarapa Grain & Seed chairperson, of Mayfield, Masterton. Paul currently manages a 380ha mixed cropping and lamb finishing operation. Paul is already highly accomplished in the wider agricultural community, entering the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, National Bank Young Farmer of the Year and Wrightson AGMARDT Young Farmer of the Year. Paul proposes to use his scholarship to study systems approach to farming- with a focus on catchment strategies.

Desiree Reid, owner of a 132ha dairy farm at Winchester, South Canterbury, currently sits on the Fonterra Shareholders Council. She has a strong financial background and a strong interest in corporate governance. With her Nuffield Farming Scholarship Desiree intends to look into developing growth strategies for co-operatives.

Ian Knowles, current Director of Farms at Telford Rural Polytechnic, Southland. Ian is a crucial part of the farm team, managing the commercial dairy, sheep, beef and deer units while liaising with academic staff to ensure the best learning opportunities for students. Ian proposes to study training requirements within the agricultural sector, with a focus on integrating hands-on learning with academic environments.

The 2010 scholars will attend a Contemporary Scholars Conference in Washington DC in early March 2010. They will then travel on a six week global focus program where they will be introduced to a wide range of industries on the international stage, designed to broaden their thinking about agricultures role on the international economy.

For further information please contact:

Stuart Wright, Chairman, 021 329 763, 03 318 3897

Barbie Barton, Convenor, 027 441 8187, 06 3049 495

For photos of the 2010 scholars please contact:

Jessie Cameron, New media advisor, 04 494 9181