FAR launches graduate programme

Future cropping researchers, agronomists and marketers are the focus of a Graduate Programme launched by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) this month.

FAR CEO Nick Pyke says the programme, has been created following discussions with FAR growers, staff and board members, and is open to recent graduates and final year students (undergradaute and postgraduate) of agriculture, science and agricultural commerce.

“The aim of this fully paid 12 month programme is to introduce graduates to FAR and to the New Zealand cropping industry. Successful applicants will spend a year with us, working on research, extension and communication at our research sites across New Zealand and Australia. If they have specific industry interests, there will also be the opportunity for placement with other organisations or companies with that area of expertise.

“At the end of that 12 month period the candidates will have developed a strong knowledge of all facets of the New Zealand cropping industry, allowing them to make an informed choice about their preferred career pathway. Depending on opportunities available at the time, this may be with FAR or elsewhere in the cropping sector.”

The new Graduate Programme is just one of several opportunities that FAR offers students. For several years it has run a Summer Scholarship programme, providing Lincoln and Canterbury University students who are partway through their studies, the opportunity to spend a summer working in the field with FAR researchers. It also funds one or two Postgraduate Scholarships each year, for students whose Honours or Masters projects have a cropping focus.

Applications for the inaugural FAR Graduate Programme close on Friday 8 August. Further information and application forms can be found on the Careers page of this website, or contact Mel Bond at FAR.