FOR Spring Ridge’s Jock Brownhill linking economic profit with environmental sustainability in agriculture is not just a profession, it’s a passion.
It’s this passion that has lead him to be named as one of eight finalists in the 2018 Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) NSW rural achiever awards.
Mr Brownhill said it was a honour to be named as a finalist.
“It is very exciting,” Mr Brownhill said.
“It was a bit of a shock to be announced but very pleasing all at the same time.”
The Spring Ridge man said growing up on a farm had helped shape his current agricultural passions.
“I am pretty lucky to have grown up on a farm in Spring Ridge,” he said.
“We have a mixture of cattle and cereal crops and being involved with farming has certainly helped me a lot.”
“It absolutly helps,” he said.
“You have a greater sense of empathy for the good times and bad times farmers go through and hopefully it helps us build a greater relationship with our customers as the bank, farmer relationship is such a big one in any agribusiness.”
Stuart Davies, RAS youth affairs chair said the rural achievers program has a reputation for developing future leaders in agriculture.
“The quality of applications we receive each year for the rural achiever awards is phenomenal,” Mr Davies said.
“For our judges to have to decide on eight final ambassadors from the many dozens of excellent applicants is a very tough ask, because they are all so passionate about their communities.”
The Rural Achievers will participate in a 12-month program that provides a range of networking and professional development opportunities, including a seven day behind-the-scenes experience at the 2018 Sydney Royal Easter Show, official functions with RAS Councilors and the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW representatives and visits to Government House and the NSW Parliament.
One Rural Achiever will also be selected to represent NSW at the 2018 National Rural Ambassador Awards.
The overall winner will be announced during the 2018 Sydney Royal Easter Show.
All finalists will receive $2,000 in prize money, a 12-month RAS Alumni Membership and be outfitted in the latest country clothing from Akubra and Thomas Cook Clothing Co.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
