I grew up in Tamworth, then my family moved to Narrabri when I was in Year 5 and have been based there ever since. Growing up in rural NSW has driven my passion for the agricultural industry – many of my extended family also live on properties with cattle and horses, but it wasn’t until I had some practical experience with a research agronomist that I found my real passion within the agricultural industry – agronomy.
I have been at the University of New England for three years now, and I have thoroughly enjoyed being exposed to new parts of the agricultural industry and learning more about how I can best help farmers. I hope that once I finish my degree I can be employed as an agronomist specialising in crop diseases, helping growers in rural NSW maximise their crop yield and overcome the constraints of plant diseases that limit productivity.
I am grateful to be awarded a Horizon Scholarship, as it provides me with an opportunity for industry exposure, hands-on experience and interaction with industry leaders while I am still studying. I’m most looking forward to the opportunity to learn more about my sponsor, Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC) and gain insight into the work they do, as well as understand what other career avenues are possible within GRDC aside from agronomy. I am also excited to meet like-minded people at the annual AgriFutures Horizon workshops and learn about exciting opportunities that the industry has into the future.