Wednesday, 29 January 2025 15:55

Scholarship winner ready to get scientific

Written by  Staff Reporters
Jonathan Jamieson Jonathan Jamieson

Jonathan Jamieson, a Lincoln University student, has been named as the latest recipient of Ravensdown’s Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship offers $5,000 per year for a student studying agriculture or horticulture at Lincoln or Massey universities for the duration of their studies.

Jamieson says that, having grown up on a farm near Bulls, he has always had a strong passion for agriculture which led him to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture at Lincoln University.

“I’ve always known I wanted to work in the sector,” he says. “I love getting outdoors, working with the animals, and learning how to manage the land.”

“During last year’s harvest, I woke up at 5.30am to go asparagus picking to help fund my studies. This scholarship will allow me to focus even more on my academic and career goals,” he adds.

Now in his second year of study, Jamieson’s focus is on agribusiness and the science behind the industry.

“I’ve grown up working on farms with the goal of one day owning my own farm. But deepening my understanding and learning the science behind it has been fascinating,” he says.

In 2024, he was awarded the Prime Minister’s Scholarship, which allowed him to travel to Vietnam for six weeks.

There, he completed an agribusiness paper and learned about the Vietnamese agricultural sector.

“It was an unreal opportunity. I loved getting out of my comfort zone and immersing myself in the Vietnamese culture,” Jamieson says.

“In Vietnam, they have combined rice farming and shrimp farming to make the most from the land. The shrimp help enrich the soil in the rice paddies, while the rice provides a natural environment for the shrimp to thrive.”

Ravensdown chief executive Garry Diack says that Jamieson’s academic excellence and enthusiasm for the science behind farming were what made his entry stand out.

“Ravensdown and this scholarship were built on using science to better agricultural practice in New Zealand. Jonathan shows a clear understanding of the importance of science for all forms of farming, and a passion for its ability to improve how we farm in the future,” Diack says.

More like this

$10,500 for future ag leaders

The future of New Zealand’s agricultural sector grew a little brighter, with the South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) now accepting applications for its scholarships through Lincoln University, offering $10,500 to up to six exceptional students who are poised to become the next leaders in the primary industries.

Featured

All eyes on NZ milk supply

All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.

National

Machinery & Products

Tech might take time

Agritech Unleashed – a one-day event held recently at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton – focused on technology as an ‘enabler’…

John Deere acquires GUSS Automation

John Deere has announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognised leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy,…

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

A step too far

OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…

Save us from SAFE

OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter