CQU Bursary Winners for 2019 

West Australian Sarah Hyde will use her scholarship to attend the second evokeAg event in Melbourne in 2020. Sarah works with the Facey Group – a farmer run group that aims to improve on-farm practice to keep farms healthy and profitable into the future in the Wickepin, WA, region.

What do you hope to gain from the event? 
As the Executive Officer of a local grower group it is important to expand networks and to ensure that knowledge and opportunities are current and relevant to farmers. With technology advancing at rapid rates I think that this is the most relevant forum to expand knowledge currently offered in the agrifood space. I believe it will also be able to challenge me to explore opportunities at diversifying our current business model and looking for more sustainable revenue streams for longevity of the group. I believe that this event will allow me to expand networks and a personal professional development opportunity.

Chloe Kempe from Ferny Hills in Queensland will use her scholarship to attend the UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Centre – Seed Business 101, a technical training course providing an accelerated program of learning for young managers within the see industry. This event is held in St Charles, Illinois, USA.

What do you hope to gain from the event?
My understanding of operating a seed business across all functional areas will be greatly enhanced, advancing my agribusiness management abilities. This leading course will connect me with seed industry professionals from around the world, broadening my networks. Knowledge of best management industry practice gained from this course will benefit my Australian employer and colleagues. Following the course, I will engage the seed industry through verbal and written communication with the Australian Seed Federation, and the agricultural sector more widely, through involvement with pasture R&D and commercialisation, including a current CRC-P for Northern Australia led by my employer, Agrimix Pastures.