Amy Perry, 25, is one of only 10 women eligible for the national scholarship program, which will offer a university course and a place at the annual National Farmers’ Federation conference.
Sponsored by FMC, a chemical and crop protection company, the short-listed women are candidates for the FMC LEAD program.
The inaugural FMC LEAD Scholarship Program aims to encourage and provide more solutions for women to participate and thrive in agriculture while driving innovation.
It targets aspiring female leaders in Australia or New Zealand who are involved in agriculture and are aged between 18 and 35.
Ms Perry grew up on an irrigated and cropping farm at Mathoura, run by parents Russell and Cindy.
She said it was her own decision to follow a career in agriculture and she had never regretted becoming an agronomist.
“I've never looked back. Looking over the farms, meeting with farmers and working with the people around me.”
Ms Perry was educated at Moama Anglican Grammar School and Charles Sturt University.
She works for AGnVET in the southern Riverina, and is active in the Jerilderie Football and Netball Club, playing A-grade netball and coaching an under-13 team.
Ms Perry wrote an essay on sustainability for the nomination process, and said she entered the program to challenge herself and to move out of her comfort zone.
Her essay focused on how improvements in sustainability will have to be driven by committed people.
A decision on who gets the scholarship is expected at the end of June.
FMC ANZ managing director Kristina Hermanson said women had always played a vital role in the agricultural sector, and that as potential future leaders they had even more to offer a robust agriculture industry.
“Agriculture is a vibrant industry and there are currently a number of outstanding women who are leading and shaping the industry but unfortunately women only equate to one third of the Australian agricultural workforce,” Ms Hermanson said.
“Through the FMC scholarship program we are looking to help more women by providing a unique and adaptive opportunity to network, learn and share their ideas with influential stakeholders.”
Among the 10 short-listed candidates is Malkah Muckenschnabl from Bendigo, who is the director at Ag Institute Australia.
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