Nerissa Edwards
Applications are open for six on farm science scholarships offered by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Ffion White
The scholarships, worth a total of $30,000, are on offer for the 2026 academic year to tertiary students enrolled in agriculture, horticulture, science, or viticulture degrees. Applicants must have completed their first year of study,
MPI director of on farm support Vanessa Winning said there was strong demand for on-farm advice backed by science and analysis to support producers to adapt and improve business performance.
“MPI is backing initiatives that support farmers and growers to sustainably boost productivity and profitability, helping to achieve the Government’s goal of doubling the value of exports by 2034.”
Applications for the scholarships close in mid-September.
Manawatū-Whanganui Ballance Agri-Nutrients intern Ffion White was one of the inaugural recipients of the On Farm Support Science Scholarship.
Ministry for Primary Industries director of on farm support Vanessa Winning.
“I’m getting to work on-farm alongside Ballance’s nutrient specialists. My role is about helping farmers improve their soil, grow better quality pasture and crops, and become more productive and profitable,” White said.
“The scholarship was hugely beneficial. I had a mentor from MPI’s On Farm Support team who invited me to industry field days and events. It helped me meet people in the sector which came in handy when I started looking for a job.”
White completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University and is one of four scholarship recipients who have secured primary industry advisory roles.
Feilding-based KS Agri farm consultant Nerissa Edwards was another recipient.
“Every day is different. I find it hugely rewarding working with farmers to create individual plans to drive improvements in on-farm efficiency, profitability, and sustainability,” Edwards said.
“The scholarship enabled me to build connections within the advisory sector. That led to a six-month internship with KS Agri and eventually a role as a consultant.”
Nerissa Edwards
