The Foundation for Arable Research has appointed two students to its 2015 Graduate Programme.
Hannah McCulloch and Angus McKenzie are both currently completing their studies at Lincoln University. Having been selected for FAR’s Graduate Programme, they will spend their first year in the workforce with FAR, gaining a hands-on understanding of the New Zealand cropping industry and its links with New Zealand’s other primary sectors. Hannah, will begin work in November this year, and Angus in March 2015.
FAR CEO Nick Pyke says he was hugely impressed by the calibre of applicants for the organisation’s first ever Graduate Programme, and that in selecting Hannah and Angus, they had to turn down some excellent students.
“We were heartened to see such strong interest in being part of the arable industry, and have endeavoured to recommend those candidates who were unsuccessful with us, for other positions.”
Mr Pyke says FAR initiated the Graduate Programme with the intention of drawing top students into the arable industry.
“The New Zealand arable industry is world leading in its ability to produce high quality, high yielding grain and seed crops. This is the result of decades of research, development and extension. To retain our place as world leaders, we need to ensure that we have the best people in place right across the industry, be they farmers, researchers, marketers or agronomists.
“In their 12 months with FAR, the graduates will have the opportunity to view our research across New Zealand and Australia, and to spend time with cropping businesses across New Zealand. At the end of the programme, we hope they will have developed a good knowledge of the factors driving the New Zealand arable industry, an understanding of what makes up a strong research and extension programme and most of all, a clear idea of their future within the industry.
Hannah McCulloch
Hannah McCulloch is about to complete a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture, majoring in Farm Management. She grew up on a cropping farm in North Otago and has an interest in seed production.
Angus McKenzie
Angus McKenzie has a Bachelor of Agriculture and is currently completing a Master of Management in Agricultural Systems. Growing up on a mixed cropping farm in mid-Canterbury Angus developed an interest in all aspects of cropping with an emphasis on agronomy and extension.
2015 FAR Graduates
