Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards (Australia)

The Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards provides unique opportunities, including valuable financial support, to motivated individuals who will benefit from personal and professional development to support a successful career in their chosen field.

Award winners are chosen on their abilities, achievements, vision and motivation for success and applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship and the 2024 Rural Youth Bursary.

Aim

• Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship
  • To provide farmers (aged 18-45) in South Australia with the opportunity to improve personal and professional skills that will benefit the industry, the individual in their own business or employment and the sustainability of natural resources that underpin primary production.
• Rural Youth Bursary
  • To provide young people (18-30) working in rural communities within South Australia the opportunity to pursue further study, undertake a study tour or to develop a special project, which will ultimately benefit the rural community.
  • The Rural Youth Bursary (The Bursary) is open to applicants employed in any rural capacity and not restricted to primary production.

Purpose

• Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship
  • The Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship for Farmers (The Scholarship) may be used for study tours, courses or further study or assist to directly fund their commencement of a specific project.

Funding Information

• Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship
  • The Scholarship is made possible from funding from the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) and offers an $10,000 grant to the successful recipient. DEW is committed to supporting communities and industry to make decisions and take action to ensure the sustainable use of the natural resources.
• Rural Youth Bursary
  • The Bursary is made possible by funding from Primary Industries and Regions SA and offers a $5000 grant to the successful recipient. PIRSA is committed to growing primary industries and driving regional development.

Eligibility Criteria

• Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship
  • The Scholarship is open to all young South Australian farmers between the ages of 18-45 who have been involved in farming, as their principal activity for the past 12 months.
• Rural Youth Bursary
  • The Bursary is open to all young South Australians (18-30) working in rural areas who wish to pursue further study, undertake a study tour or to develop a special project, in their chosen career. Applicants must submit their own applications.

Selection Criteria

• Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship
  • Selection of the recipient will be based upon the applicant’s abilities, achievements and motivation to succeed in a primary production career (agriculture, horticulture, viticulture or aquaculture).
  • The recipient will need to demonstrate competency in a range of farming and interpersonal skills and will be expected to work within his/her chosen industry while holding The Scholarship.
  • Finalists will then be selected and interviewed by the selection panel.
  • They thank the Department for Environment and Water for their ongoing support of the Agricultural Bureau of SA’s Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards night and the Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship.
• Rural Youth Bursary
  • Selection will be based upon the applicant’s abilities, achievements and motivation to succeed in their chosen career.
  • The recipient will need to demonstrate competency in their study, career and interpersonal skills and will be expected to work within his/her chosen career while holding The Bursary. They will also need to demonstrate how this will benefit their rural community.
  • A written application by the applicant must be submitted prior to the deadline.
  • Finalists will then be selected and interviewed by the selection panel.
  • They thank Primary Industries and Regions SA for their ongoing support of the Agricultural Bureau of SA’s Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards night and the Rural Youth Bursary.

For more information, visit Agricultural Bureau of South Australia.