NSW Farmers has committed $20,000 to tertiary scholarships for students committed to agriculture and rural communities.

Eligible students have until 29 February to apply for one of five scholarships valued at $4000 each.

NSW Farmers scholarships chair and Walcha farmer Sonia O’Keefe said the association’s scholarship program was a valuable opportunity to encourage and support young people who had a genuine desire to contribute to rural and regional Australia.

“It’s a great program to be involved in and I know that it has benefited a lot of students over the years,” Ms O’Keefe said.

2015 scholarship recipient and primary school teacher Phoebe Wood said the program had provided valuable experience from the application process to attending the association’s annual conference.

“Both have given me confidence and an insight into the role of the association and how it achieves outcomes for rural and regional NSW.

As a young teacher who is passionate about education in rural and regional Australia, the scholarship also helped me network and learn from other agriculturalists.”

To be eligible, students must be in their second or subsequent year of university study, or first or subsequent year of vocational study.

In addition, the applicant’s partner, parents or legal guardians must have been a full producer member of NSW Farmers for a period of two consecutive years at the time of application, or have been an active member of NSW Farmers in any category for a period of two consecutive years at the time of application.  Special consideration will be given to students who have displayed an active involvement with the NSW Young Farmers program.

Source: NSW Farmers. Visit www.nswfarmers.org.au to view full details and application forms. Forms must be completed and returned to the association by COB 29 February 2016.