The world needs creative, innovative and courageous young people who can connect, collaborate and act. We know that youth may only be 20% of the population but they are 100% of the future. The time is now to let them share their dreams and design the future they want to see.
Are you an early career professional with a passion to lead and advocate for farming in the Northern Territory?
Do you want to become a confident communicator and trusted voice in the agriculture sector?
If so then Picture You in Agriculture (PYiA), in conjunction with NT Farmers, is seeking applications to join the prestigious Cultivate – Growing Young Leaders program. Graduates of this program become Young Farming Champions – a network of globally connected young thought-leaders thriving in business and in life, who are inspiring community pride in Australian agriculture.
Young people aged between 18 and 35, who are studying or who have completed tertiary education, are invited to apply for the Cultivate – Growing Young Leaders program. Successful applicants will receive an incredible two-year package of support including media training, networking and mentorship opportunities to help them share their stories with the nation.
2021 represents the first year of collaboration between PYiA and NT Farmers.
“NT Farmers want to encourage emerging leaders to promote the diverse farming industry, from cropping to horticulture, and lead the industry into the future,” NT Farmers Education Development Officer Anna Day said. “NT Farmers chose the Young Farming Champions program as part of a range of initiatives to promote agriculture to future generations as well as highlight some of the fantastic work being done by young people in NT agriculture. NT Farmers are investing in educating and engaging young people to develop and enhance a vital industry with fantastic future opportunities. The Young Farming Champions program is a great opportunity for young NT farmers to receive coaching and mentoring as well as networking opportunities and intergenerational expertise.”
Alumni of this prestigious program include climate change thought-leader Anika Molesworth, winner of the Leadership category of the 2018 Victorian Young Achiever Awards Dr Jo Newton OAM and 2019 wool-broker of the year Samantha Wan.
At Picture You in Agriculture we have it on good authority that emerging leaders in the agriculture sector are applying for personal and professional development courses because they want to have impact, they want to have a voice in how decisions are made. They want to learn how to have influence, to build networks and work together to create a bright future for rural Australia.
Our experience supported by this excellent research by Corteva Agriscience “The Future of Food and Farming” shows us young agriculturalists and young consumers share many common concerns and hopes for the food system they are inheriting, and a strong desire to be involved in securing its future. Picture You in Agriculture is very excited to be bringing these two very important groups of people together
Applications are now open for young agriculturalists aged between 18 and 30 to participate in the two year Cultivate Growing Young Leaders program. Participants graduate to become Young Farming Champions. The program provides an unparalleled opportunity for young agriculturalists to have impact by connecting them directly with their audience in schools, in the community and with government
There is no shortage of examples in the Young Farming Champions program of young people having impact. How much impact they have depends on where they want to have impact and the effort they are prepared to put in.
Today we showcase Climate Action Young Farming Champion Anika Molesworth.
This is what Anika has to say about her Young Farming Champion’s journey.
I am delighted to have been involved with the Young Farming Champions since 2014.
I originally joined the program because I wanted to learn how to play a more impactful role in the agricultural sector which I care about so much. I knew that by investing in my own development, I could give back to the people and places that I cherish.
Over the last 6 years I have learnt so much! I have learnt industry specific knowledge – about grains, cotton, poultry, meat and livestock. I have learnt the importance of collaboration. Working with people who have different backgrounds, experience and perspectives is so invigorating and stimulates my mind like nothing else. I have been challenged by the questions students have asked me when I present to their classes, and been energized by their enthusiasm to learn more about food, fibre and farming. I have also been humbled by the teachers who invite the Young Farming Champions into their classrooms.
This program has allowed me to make an impact on an issue that is very close to my heart – climate change. It has developed my personal skills in confidence and resilience. It has developed my career skills in public speaking and fundraising. It has also enabled me to achieve my desire of giving back. I know because of this program I am making a meaningful difference.
Anika
What others are saying about Anika
“Anika is one of Australia’s younger generation of farmers most impressive voices. She recognises the importance of action on Climate Change in ensuring our farming future and the importance of engaging all Australians in the climate change action journey” Professor Mark Howden ANU Climate Change Institute
Where is Anika’s voice being heard?
Where isnt it being heard is probably the right question?
To create opportunities for young people to learn the skills needed to be adaptable and resilient in complex and changing times.
To transform young people to be empowered advocates and change-makers making a difference to Australian agriculture and how it is perceived by the wider community.
build place-based leadership and networking skills and have the capacity to work across agencies, the private sector as well as the community
graduate and join the Young Farming Champions alumni
What does a Young Farming Champion Look Like?
A few important Qs & As.
What age group? Expressions of interest are open for young agriculturalists aged 18 to 30 inclusive
What is an agriculturalist? Our definition is “a person studying to work or working in the agriculture sector?
What is the Agriculture sector? Our definition is the sector that produces food, natural fibres and renewable clean energy?”
Who works in the agriculture sector? Who doesnt work in the agriculture sector is proablaby a better question. A little know fact is 82% of careers in the agriculture sector enable farmers to produce food, fibre and affordable clean energy and there is high predicted growth in jobs in those careers
Australian farmers produce 93% of the food we consume and with the outlook for agriculture sector remaining strong (11% predicted growth by 2030), farmers are important to national well-being. The employment impact of food production, however, reaches far beyond the farm. Eighty-two (82) percent of the careers enabling the agriculture sector are beyond the farmgate. Many of these careers such as professional, scientific and research services have high predicted growth (15% predicted growth by 2030)
The gender question? The YFC are as diverse as the sector
Is the program national? Yes the program is open to young agriculturalists from all Australian states and territories
When do EOIs close: EOI Closing Date: 12th June 2020
What will help you stand out from the crowd?
The program identifies, develops, and deploys emerging leaders in the agriculture sector to share their story in schools, with government and the community.
We are looking for young people who see leadership as service. We are looking for young people who will pay it forward and develop others. See examples of Young Farming Champions paying it forward here
We are looking for young people who are compassionate and curious. Young people who are just as interested in other people’s stories as you want them to be interested in yours
We are looking for young people who are committed. No matter how impressive our training team is the research consistently shows your success depends on how much effort YOU, the learner is willing to put in
Will you have impact?
Our programs directly connect young agriculturalists with young consumers. What is super exciting about that is the two groups our programs target – young agriculturalists and young consumers – share many common concerns and hopes for the food system they are inheriting, and a strong desire to be involved in securing its future.
A key to our success is we provide innovative opportunities for young people in schools and young agriculturalists to apply the skills and knowledge learnt through our programs and develop their networks in real life situations.
Examples of Young Farming Champions having impact
Our Young Farming Champions are advocates, facilitators and role models for The Archibull Prize
Meet our Young Farming Champions celebrating women in science
Meet Young Farming Champion Dan Fox the 2018 Australian Innovation Farmer of the Year
Young Farming Champion Emma Ayliffe shares her inspirational career journey to be a business owner at 26
YFC Samantha Wan shares why the world values Australian wool
YFC Casey Onus and the team from UNE Discovery show students how soils give life
Young Farming Champion Tayla Field shares the paddock to plate traceability commitment by One Harvest at Smeaton Grange
Young Farming Champion and vet Prue McCormack inspires students at AgVision
Dr Jo Newton acceptance speech for 2018 UNE Young Distinguished Alumina Award
Anika on The Drum March 2020
