Children pamper calves, learn about farm life
From August each year a special group of 'helpers' descend on Julie and Brian Pirie's farm at Ngatea in the Hauraki Plains.
These scholarships, made possible by the New Zealand Rural Games Trust, have been funded by an anonymous supporter and the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games.
The recipients, all with a strong passion for rural life and a dedication to the future of agriculture, come from diverse rural backgrounds.
In 2025, they will pursue various agricultural and related studies.
The scholarship recipients are:
- Sophie Chandler from Mount Albert Grammar School spent her weekends and holidays on family farms across the North Island. In 2025, she will begin a cadetship at Pukemiro Station where she will complete qualifications in agriculture and pursue her goal of becoming a shepherd.
- Jack Aitken-Cade from Palmerston North Boys' High School has been gaining valuable farming experience in the Woodville region. Jack plans to attend Smedley or Pukemiro cadetships or pursue Agricultural Science at Lincoln University.
- Abigail Denley from Oxford Area School in North Canterbury has worked on a sheep and beef farm and competed in Future Farmers competitions. Abigail will study agriculture and farm management at Lincoln University.
- Sam Cranstone from Whanganui Collegiate School grew up on a sheep and beef farm in the Whangaehu Valley. Sam plans to specialise in dairy-beef genetics at Lincoln University.
- Matthew Menlove from Central Southland College grew up on a 600-hectare sheep and beef farm. Matthew will study for a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture at Lincoln University.
- Jamie Bennett from Palmerston North Boys' High School grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Raetihi. He will study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Canterbury and hopes to design innovative farming equipment.
- Abbey Grant from Feilding High School grew up on a sheep and beef farm near Turakina and has been involved in rural events from a young age. Abbey will attend Lincoln University next year to study for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and is a keen shearer who has already won a national competition.
- Hamish Patton from St Andrew’s College grew up on a crop farm near Ashburton and is involved in his local community and is passionate ploughing, he placed 3rd in the Wakanui Ploughing Match. The scholarship will help him cover fees and living costs while studying a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture at Lincoln University.
Alongside the secondary school scholarships, the New Zealand Rural Game Trust awarded a $1250 scholarship to Otago University's Brodie England, a second-year Exercise & Sport Science student.
England participated in the Primary Industry Academy at Geraldine High School where he was deputy head boy. Alongside his studies, he is the captain of a 1st XV and was involved in the Crusaders U18 camp.
His long-term goal is to develop a performance analysis business to offer high-end technology to rural sports clubs, ensuring they have the tools to compete at the same level as their urban counterparts.
New Zealand Rural Games Trust chair Brendan Bourke says that initially the Trust was only going to offer five scholarships. However, the quality of applications was so high they had to secure more funds.
"We are incredibly proud to support these young rural athletes and future agricultural leaders," Bourke says.
"Their passion for farming is evident, and we hope the scholarships will help them achieve their goals and contribute to the future of farming," he says.
Agri Futures Scholarships are awarded to youth from a rural background who are either:
- Secondary school students who have competed in Clash of the College's events and are pursuing tertiary education.
- Rural Sports athletes who are under the age of 20 and who are pursuing tertiary education.
The scholarships aim to support the next generation of agricultural professionals in New Zealand.
