Funding scheme to achieve ag dream

THIS year’s recipients in the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship program have been announced, with one of them being Ballarat-born and raised.

Currently studying Veterinary Science at Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga campus, Lucy Ford is one of 22 students to receive the scholarship.

With a $10,000 bursary and opportunities with Baiada Poultry, Ms Ford said the scholarship will give her invaluable experience within the agricultural industry.

“The main appeal for me is building industry connections and having the opportunity to touch base with people I wouldn’t have had access to before,” she said.

“I’m very excited to get involved with Baiada and what they do and how they operate. I’ve always been interested in their animal production systems.

“Baiada owns Steggles and Lilydale so their chicken meat which is a large-scale production system. This’ll give me a grip on what they entail.”

The scholarship program will entail two professional development workshops and two-week industry placements in 2023 and 2024.

Ms Ford said she’s always been passionate about agriculture, and attributes hanging out with her dad on farms in his work as a land surveyor as a factor in shaping her interest.

A Ballarat Grammar alumnus, she took part in her school’s year 10 agriculture program through to year 12, and has since gained experience through viniculture work, thoroughbred-handling, farm-sitting and harvesting at grain sites throughout New South Wales and Victoria.

Although uncertain about which pathway she wants to take in the agricultural industry, Ms Ford said she knows what sort of mark she wants to leave on it.

“The thing I really want to do is make a difference to producers and improve their livelihoods through improving animal welfare,” she said.

“I think there’s quite a strong link between animal health and human health so I’d like to get more involved with animal production systems and improve their outcomes.”