Sustainability and diversity go hand in hand for our newest Horizon Scholarship Program sponsor

FMC Australasia is a global agricultural sciences company operating for over 130 years. With over 6500 employees worldwide, FMC has extensive experience and global reach on their side, as they strive for innovative solutions and products.

“Our commitment is to provide innovation, with a strong commitment to sustainability. So, we are coming up with solutions backed by global R&D expertise and developed with deep local market insights in collaboration with growers, agronomists, and retail partners,” says Christine Haynes, Human Resources Manager at FMC Australasia.

Despite it being early days, Horizon Scholar Emelia Inwood can already see the alignment between her passions and FMC’s priority areas.

“Sustainability and innovation are two of their key focus points and these align well with my desire to contribute to the future of agricultural production.”

With an ambitious growth strategy in the pipeline and a commitment to a sustainable agricultural industry, FMC recognises that investing in the next generation of rural leaders plays a significant role in reaching these goals.

“We want to play a part in growing talent within the agriculture space more broadly, and if, at the same token, we come across people whose future plans align with ours, that’s a bonus!

“We see our role in the agriculture space as being more than just a supplier. We can play a key role in diversifying the talent pool for agriculture and supporting people on their professional development journey,” Christine tells us.

For FMC, a crucial part of the sustainability of their workforce and the agricultural workforce more broadly, is diversity and inclusion.

“Diversity & Inclusion is critical for everyone to feel engaged and have a sense of belonging. It matters not only for current employees, but also for the next generation of employees. It is a key differentiator for us. We focus on Diversity & Inclusion, not just because creating a diverse and inclusive workforce is the right thing to do, but because it makes sound business sense. It is important for our future success,” says Mark Douglas, President and Chief Executive Officer, FMC.

FMC’s recent initiative the FMC LEAD Program is just one part of their commitment to diversity, as well as encouraging women to participate and thrive, driving innovation along the way.

“The two winners of the inaugural FMC LEAD Scholarship program, Kareena Pritchard and Malkah Lara Muckenschnabl are both passionate about building the future of agriculture and encouraging people to pursue careers in the industry. Attracting people with a diverse skill set will help drive the industry forward and ensure its sustainability,” Christine explains.

There’s a big opportunity for FMC’s Scholars to get involved in the LEAD Program webinars, covering topics like women in leadership, sustainability and targeted networking.

“Our Global Chief Sustainability Officer, Karen Totland, and President of the Asia-Pacific region, Bethwyn Todd joined a webinar we held recently to share their experiences as female leaders within the agriculture space and their career journeys to get to where they are now,” Christine tells us.

FMC is on a mission to attract new talent to agriculture and hopes to boost Scholars’ opportunities and networks during their time on the program.

“When you hear about the journeys of people who are senior in the agriculture space, where they are now is often not where they thought they would end up. We are hoping to reach future leaders early and open their eyes to what paths are available, as well as provide networking opportunities and practical experience to set them up for the future,” explains Christine.

Hanlie Lubbe is one of these future leaders sponsored by FMC and is ready to grab those opportunities with both hands.

“I hope that through a partnership with AgriFutures and FMC Australasia, I will grow in understanding of industry areas I didn’t previously consider as potential career avenues.”

Christine says it’s not just the Scholars who get to benefit from the program. Instead, she says there’s also a unique kind of learning that comes from listening to the fresh perspectives of a new generation.

“As well as providing incredible experiences to the Scholars, we also see it as a reverse learning for us too. By interacting with Scholars and hearing their ideas and thoughts, we are able to understand who and what will be driving the future of agriculture.”