2006 Nuffield Scholars Announced

5 October 2005

2006 Nuffield Scholars Announced

The New Zealand Nuffield Farming Scholarship recipients for 2006 are Ben Todhunter and Vaughan Templeton.

Ben Todhunter is the farm manager of his family farm business in the Rakaia gorge. Ben is also the chairman of the South Island High Country Committee of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc).

Vaughan Templeton converted his sheep and beef Riverton farm to a dairy farm in 2002. Vaughan is also the chairman of Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPS) Consumer Trust which owns the local electricity lines network.

Nuffield Farming Scholarships promote leadership and the implementation of innovative practices in agriculture through worldwide study and interpersonal contact. The scholarships give successful applicants the opportunity to develop a better understanding of New Zealand and international relationships by studying farming, agricultural marketing or agricultural organisational practices internationally.

Ben Todhunter plans to use his scholarship to study the integration of conservation and production. The research will look at the on farm aspects of this and also the opportunities for marketing products around production that provides for the environment.

Vaughan Templeton plans to study sustainable farming systems concentrating on environmental issues for the dairy industry and the effect urban expectations or rural land use will have on agricultural production.

"The quality of candidates for the scholarships was outstanding, and it was difficult to narrow the selection down. The successful candidates' strong commitment to their industry impressed the selection panel," said Nuffield chairman Alistair Polson.

"Nuffield Farming Scholarships have been offered to innovative New Zealand farmers for more than 50 years and I am sure that the scholarships will help Vaughan and Ben develop their leadership skills and networks," concluded Mr Polson.

Nuffield farming scholarships are funded by Dairy InSight, Meat & Wool New Zealand, the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation (Ashburton), Rabobank, Landcorp and Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc). For more information on Nuffield visit www.nuffield.org.nz .

ENDS

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