My name is Pippa Pryor and I grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Although I grew up by the beach, a farm stay in Walcha when I was five years old changed my life forever. After the official chores were done and the other kids went back to their families, I tagged along with the farmer, asking endless questions. I wanted to know why and how everything worked. Each year we went back, and I got to do more and more actual farming.
As a teenager studying Agriculture at high school, my farm weeks were spent doing all the work experience I could get. As well as working with animals, I learnt about cropping, sustainable agriculture and how the systems on a farm work. Getting accepted to study Rural Science at University of New England was a dream come true. I’ve moved permanently to Armidale and am loving living and working in the country where I want to base my career.
I’m passionate about promoting positive change to agricultural systems, especially tackling the food sustainability issues relating to climate change. When I finish my degree, I hope to help solve some of the industry’s biggest problems by implementing new technology and using science to help farmers in a practical way at scale.
It is an honour to be awarded a Horizon Scholarship and to have the opportunity to network with the people who are working at the leading edge of innovation in the agricultural sector. I’m so excited to meet and learn from the best minds in the industry.
Being sponsored by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) is such a privilege. MLA is a recognised leader in delivering world-class research, development and marketing outcomes and has such a positive impact on the Australian red meat industry. I know working with MLA as my sponsor will give me invaluable learning and networking opportunities.