Media Release 29 March 2004
Ballance Agri-Nutrients scholarships help develop future agriculture leaders
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is pleased to announce it has awarded another four scholarships worth a total of $64,000 to help
support future agricultural leaders with their programme of study.
First awarded in 2002, the scholarships are available to agricultural and engineering students. The scholarships are
part of an initiative to attract committed and talented people into the agricultural industry, bringing the total number
of scholarships awarded under the programme to seventeen .
“The agricultural industry is constantly changing and it is important that we develop and support students who are
considering a career in the primary industry,” says Ballance’s Head of Agro Science, Warwick Cato.
“We believe in growing know-how in New Zealand’s agricultural sector and see the scholarships as a way of achieving
this.”
Each student is awarded $4,000 a year towards university costs for up to 4 years. Applications for 2005 will open in
September.
This year’s recipients are:
Ruth Burr – Ruth is a first year student at Massey University and is undertaking a Bachelor of Applied Science in
Agriculture. Originally from Te Kuiti, Ruth has lived and worked on a dairy farm for most of her life and hopes to
complete scientific research in agriculture on completion of her degree.
James Barbour – James is a first year student studying towards a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agriculture at Massey
University. Originally from Matamata, James is aiming to be a fertiliser sales representative or farm consultant as he
has a particular interest in soil science.
Carl Bishop – Carl is a second year student who is completing a Bachelor of Engineering in Materials and Process
Engineering at University of Waikato. Carl would like to work in the field of manufacturing processes or research and
development in the agricultural sector on completion of his study. Carl has spent a number of years working in various
aspects of rural life, adding to his knowledge base.
Leon Bleakley – Leon is currently completing the fourth year of his Bachelor of Agricultural Science in honours at
Lincoln University. Once finished, Leon plans to pursue a career in research and development in the areas of plant, crop
and soil science.
ENDS