The scholarship, which started in 2011, got just two applications from each institution in its first year.
“This year we were absolutely swamped, which is very pleasing as it means we are getting the message out there,” association administrator Trish Radford said.
The scholarship comes with $5000 but for Inwood it was as much about the opportunities it presented.
The sixth generation on the family’s mixed cropping and sheep farm, Inwood said he was also excited about the wider exposure the scholarship would offer.
“The experience within the industry that comes with it is a big one for me – getting my name out there in the industry and the opportunity to spend time with key industry businesses.
“I was really keen to get that exposure so in all I am pretty happy to come out the winner,” Inwood said.
The aim of the scholarship is to offer support to and encourage second-year Lincoln and Massey students with interests in the grain and seed sector to work in the industry.
Assoication president George Gerard said during the term of the scholarship seed industry member companies connect with the students to highlight opportunities in the grain and seed trade.
To do that effectively, scholars are introduced to industry leaders and given a one-day tour of the industry highlighting different aspects of the sector.
“In return, the industry gets connected to the next generation of scholars and possible industry leaders,” Gerard said.
“Identifying young people with an interest in the sector is important and ensures we have younger people coming through.
“The scholarship is the association’s way to invest in people who will stay long term and be part of the seed trade.”
The scholarship is funded from dividends derived from some long-term investments.
Inwood, 20, is in his third and final year doing agricultural degree at Lincoln University.
His farming roots are securely planted in the cropping business that has been in his family for more than 150 years.
“So the family farm is quite a big piece of my life. It’s pretty special to be sixth generation.
“There has never been any doubt in my mind – I have always wanted to be a farmer,” Inwood said.
The farming operation also runs up to 900 breeding ewes, selling the lambs as primes to fit the cropping business which takes in seed wheat, barley, white clover, ryegrass, vegetable seed crops and fresh peas for Watties.
Inwood has also spent his summer holidays working on a nearby cropping farm to gain wider exposure in cropping.
“This has given me experience in a broader spectrum of cropping, including specialist seed production.”
Following graduation at the end of this year he will be exploring options as a field technician or agronomist with a focus on small seed crops.
“I would like to get into a field agronomy role for maybe up to 10 years or so before going onto the family farm.”
The family farm Southbridge, just south of Christchurch, is run by his parents Stuart and Alison Inwood.
The 2017 scholarship winner Kate Maclean has now completed her degree at Massey University and works as a production development agronomist.
“As an industry it’s important we do all we can to encourage these young people. This is our next generation of leaders,” Gerard said.
