Silver Fern Farms Announce Winners of the Inaugural Plate to Pasture Youth Scholarships
Wednesday 16 August: Silver Fern Farms has awarded six Plate to Pasture Youth Scholarships to an exciting group of young
people from around New Zealand who are developing their careers in the red meat, food and farming industries.
Silver Fern Farms Chief Executive Dean Hamilton says the talent emerging from the scholarship applications indicates a
bright future for the broader red meat sector.
“We were overwhelmed at receiving 79 applications. The standard and passion from the applicants exceeded all
expectations when we launched the Plate to Pasture Youth Scholarships. Our panel certainly had a challenging job making
their selections and we extend our thanks to all of the young people that took the time to apply and to the Co-operative
shareholders who supported their applications.”
“Silver Fern Farms is proud to be supporting the future of farming and the communities where we live and work.”
The scholarship recipients each receive $5,000 to further their careers in the sector. The Silver Fern Farms Plate to
Pasture Youth Scholarships have been awarded to people in the following regions:
Grace Van Tilborg – Northland
Hugh Jackson – Waikato and Bay of Plenty
Jake Jarman – Western North Island
Nicole Harvey – Eastern North Island
Joshua Kirk – Upper South Island
Zac Johnston – Lower South Island
As part of the process, applicants were asked to identify what they see as the biggest challenge or opportunity in the
food industry and what they would do about it.
“The winners delivered ideas on a vast range of industry issues. These included a fresh look at dealing with biosecurity
challenges, the development of food technology processes to extend the shelf life and flavour of red meat, exploring
ways to sustainably add value to farming businesses, selling the story of New Zealand’s natural ‘artisan agriculture’ to
the world, as well as challenging the industry to think big and be bold.”
“By 2020 we aim to have invested $120,000 in scholarships to support 24 young people in their careers in our industry
from plate to pasture.”
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