Unsung heroes under the soil
Much of the scientific work being carried out at the Massey University led regenerative agriculture project, Whenua Haumanu, is below the ground.
The award is made in recognition of high academic achievement as well as overall contribution to the course and Massey University.
Chairman of the Applied Sciences Scholarships Committee, Dr Kerry Harrington, says Archer has helped increase the reputation of Massey University's horticulture programme and of its students in general.
"She has been actively involved with the Massey University Horticulture Society, has been an enthusiastic helper at Massey Open Days, discussing the virtues of the horticultural programme with prospective students, and also a friendly face to welcome students at the start of the year as a Massey Guide" says Dr Harrington.
Leander comes from the Wellington suburb of Tawa and says she was amazed and didn't expect to win the award.
She says it was a combination of factors that contributed to her doing a degree in hort science. Archer says she's always loved plant biology and was passionate about food as well. She says she combined the two interests and came up with horticulture,
"I did a lot of research into what careers I could choose. One of the reasons for horticulture was the opportunity to work outside or inside if I wanted. It's also an environmental issue for me as well. I feel that I can make a lot of difference here in terms of the way we can feed the world. We are going to have to do it with a lot less land areas soon so we are going to have to make some improvements and ones that don't affect the environment negatively and hopefully positively," she says.
Leander Archer says she's starting a job soon with AgFirst in Hawkes Bay and is looking forward to some good weather.
