Help at hand for farming’s brightest sparks

A BAKER’s dozen of young farmers from around Victoria have been awarded up to $10,000 each by the State Government to help grow their careers and support the long-term sustainability of the agriculture sector.

This year’s recipients of the 2025 Young Farmer Upskill and Invest Scholarship reflect the diversity and dynamic nature of modern agriculture.

Recipients hail from across the state, including Tammy Stone, a seventh-generation dairy farmer from Katunga, while Jacob Scicluna from Riverslea aspires to work full-time on his beef and cropping farm and make it his primary income.

Bonnie Hiscock, a native flower grower at Stratford, will use the scholarship to develop expertise in sustainable farming practices, plant health and resource management.

“As a former recipient of the scholarship, I know how important it (was) to have government support to move ahead in my career and try something a bit different to benefit my farming business,” Young Farmers Advisory Council chair Clay Gowers said.

The government provides an additional range of support for young farmers including helping them buy their first farmland through the Young Farmer Duty Exemption or Concession.

It also established the Young Farmers Advisory Council to provide it with advice on issues impacting young people working across agriculture and to act as ambassadors for agriculture as a career.

Young Farmer Business Bootcamps are regularly held across Victoria, helping young farmers and producers new to farming to understand and manage business risks, develop a business plan to grow their business and build the confidence to make sound business decisions.