Friday, 1 April 2016
Budding agricultural expert receives scholarship
Eighteen year old Lincoln University student Lucy Bell, from Palmerston, is the latest winner of the Ravensdown Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship was established in memory of the late Hugh Williams, a Ravensdown director from 1987 to 2000. The scholarship offers children of Ravensdown shareholders $5,000 a year for the duration of their studies, for a number of agricultural or horticultural degrees at Waikato, Lincoln or Massey Universities.
Stuart Wright, Deputy Chairman at Ravensdown and Scholarship Committee Chair said the scholarship is about developing future capability in the agricultural sector, “This scholarship is not just for the benefit of Lucy, it benefits all New Zealanders to invest in the next generation of agricultural professionals be they scientists, farmers, veterinarians, or extension professionals.
The more young people we can help get ahead in the agriculture sector the better.
Currently in her first semester at Lincoln University, Lucy is really enjoying her chemistry and biology classes and is looking forward to starting animal, plant and soil classes next semester.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have been brought up on a farm and have always wanted a career in agriculture,” said Lucy. “At high school I developed a strong interest in the sciences. Having observed the impact that lucerne and summer brassicas have made to the profitability of my family’s farm has helped spark an interest in plant science for me.”
“Once I’ve finished my degree I’d like to become a part of a graduate programme, like the one they have at Ravensdown. I’m really interested in plant development for places like our home in the east Otago hill country. I would love to be able to help with development of legumes that are able to thrive on harder hill country, and therefore make this class of land more profitable.”