Monday, 9 July 2007

Young South Australian farmers wanting to boost their on-farm skills are being invited to apply for a $7000 agricultural fellowship.

The Peter Olsen Fellowship for Young Farmers is an initiative of the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia, an organisation that brings together farmers and people with an interest in agriculture to share information on farming practices.

Agricultural Bureau state president Mark Dennis said the fellowship was for young people aged 18 to 35 who had been involved in farming for the past 12 months.

“The Peter Olsen Fellowship is a wonderful opportunity for young farmers who want to further their skills and knowledge,” Mr Dennis said.

“All our applicants have had innovative, positive ideas to improve primary production in this state and have gone on to put their skills to good use.”

People who are already studying or plan to do so in the future can apply for the fellowship, with the money to be used for courses, study tours or running special projects.

Past winners have put the funding towards advancing a beekeeping business, upgrading production at a boutique winery, examining Danish pig management systems, studying artificial insemination of cattle and encouraging farmers to adopt environmental management systems.

The 2006 winner was 32-year-old Port Pirie farmer Brendon Johns, who is using the fellowship to investigate precision agriculture, a scientific farming system that maximises sustainability and outputs while minimising environmental damage.

Mr Johns said winning the fellowship had been of great benefit both personally and professionally.

“It’s been an incredibly valuable opportunity and one that is helping me achieve my goals,” he said.

“The bursary has allowed me to establish precision agriculture practices on our farm while continuing my studies towards an Associate Diploma in Rural Business Management.”

The fellowship is named in memory of Eyre Peninsula farming identity and Agricultural Bureau member Peter Olsen. Mr Olsen and his wife Wendy were among eight people killed when a Whyalla Airlines plane crashed into Spencer Gulf in 2000.

He represented the Eastern Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Bureau branches on the Advisory Board of Agriculture from 1997 and had attended an ABA meeting on the day of the crash.

The Agricultural Bureau and Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) sponsor the fellowship with $5000 in funding every year.

Last year, the Eyre Peninsula Bushfire Recovery and Response Team donated $5000 to the fellowship fund over three years. In 2007 the Recovery and Response Team Achievement Award is worth $2000, taking the total bursary to $7000.

“The Response and Recovery Team Achievement Award is a tremendous boost to the fellowship,” Mr Dennis said.

“Once again, we proudly recognise the Recovery and Response Team’s assistance in furthering the personal and professional development of young people in agriculture.”

Applications for the 2007 Peter Olsen Fellowship close on Friday, 14 September, with the winner to be announced at an awards dinner on 23 October.

Copies of the guidelines and application forms are available from the Bureau, by phoning 1800 652 258 or 8226 0351.