Hard Work(er) paying off

Alex Worker says he got interested in the leadership path from his family connections.

"My grandfather was a grass scientist who studied under Campbell McMeekan then went to the World Bank helping to develop rural economies around the world," he told Rural News. "My father is a diplomat and my grandmother and mother have been public servants and teachers. I came from a very public lens of service and the idea of what's good for NZ."

As a venture partner in several business and steering committees, as well as the founding chair of Future Food Aotearoa, Worker will have plenty of opportunities to put his studies into action.

"The scholarship is a total enabler so I'm really grateful because it actually provides an opportunity I wouldn't otherwise have," he explains.

"What I'm keen to understand is, what does great governance look like... how do you govern and support through systems change in light of disruption and also making the most of new opportunities?"

Worker says that he appreciates AGMARDT taking a risk on his profile, being neither a farmer not directly involved in the industry.

"I'm more on the entrepreneur or venture builder side. I'm not a farmer, but I have worked in companies that represent farmers. I'm of this vision that most opportunity is going to come from change and a lot of that is recognising where we come from but also where we're going."

Worker believes that while government can open doors for industry, it is up to industry to walk through those doors and keep them open. He also says that identity divisions between urban and rural communities will not help move us forward.

"The inverse is if we talk about what's good for New Zealand with a positive vision for our food and fibres," he adds. "It doesn't matter if you're in the city or on farm, industry or government, we can all get behind that."

He says with a non-traditional agriculture background and entrepreneur voice, having support from AGMARDT empowers him because it shows the organisation is supporting new directions and voices.

AGMARDT chair Nick Pyke says that they are looking for innovative, influential, forward thinkers like Worker wanting to change the world for the better.

"They will have a clear and distinctive plan for their growth and development toward taking up influential roles in the sector; a diverse programme of activity that will build their capability across a range of areas."

With a maximum of $15,000 per scholar, scholarships per scholar, scholarships are available annually to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents and successful scholarship applicants will be able to participate in programmes related to food and fibre sectors, develop management skills in New Zealand and abroad and more.