Young Victorian farmers offered $10,000 skills scholarships

Young Victorian farmers and farm workers are being offered grants of up to $10,000 to build new skills and invest in their businesses through Agriculture Victoria’s 2026 scholarship program.

The Young Farmers Upskill and Invest Scholarship provides up to $5,000 for study or training, along with a further $5,000 to put new skills into practice through professional development, business planning or on-farm improvements.

Agriculture Victoria says the program has supported 146 young farmers since it began in 2015, helping producers strengthen their businesses and adopt new approaches.

Agriculture Victoria Chief Executive Beth Jones says the scholarships are designed to give the next generation of farmers the skills, confidence and tools needed to innovate and adapt in a changing industry.

Previous recipients include north-east Victorian beef producer Kerstin Jarvis, who is using livestock nutrition training and digital farm management tools to improve animal performance.

Applications for the 2026 Young Farmers Upskill and Invest Scholarship are now open and close at 5pm on August 14, with more information available at agriculture.vic.gov.au.