Businesses chip in to help farmers
Banks and rural businesses are chipping in to help farmers in Southland and Otago.
This year's scholarships bring the total awarded by the co-operative since 2002 to 71.
Warwick Catto science strategy manager at Ballance Agri-Nutrients says it was fantastic to see high calibre students heading into agri-business, science and engineering tertiary education.
"There were strong applicants this year, who all demonstrated a true passion for New Zealand's primary industries sector and see many career opportunities in it. Students recognise that New Zealand is an exporting nation so they are combining disciplines such as marketing, engineering, agriculture, and international business."
"While many students have an ambition to take over the family farm they know they need to gain a tertiary qualification. The primary industries sector has an extensive range of opportunities to offer young graduates. I look forward to seeing where they take the sector in the future," he says.
Ballance handed out four scholarships each valued at $4,000 for up to three years and an additional three, one-year scholarships, each valued at $4,000.
Three-year scholarships were awarded to Timothy Craig from Oamaru, Angela Clarke from Te Awamutu, James Robertson from Ohaupo, and Matthew Poole from Hawera.
One-year scholarships were awarded to Alex Menzies from Omakau, Paddy Ford from Patea and Chris Lowe from Pukekohe.
Ballance received 86 applications for the 2015 scholarship programme, up 11 from last year.
