Rural Leadership Advancement Scholarship 2026
Beef + Lamb New Zealand is offering a $4,000 contribution towards a place on any Rural Leaders programme for six livestock farmers to advance their leadership skills and impact on the sector.
Scholarship benefits
- A contribution of $4,000 towards the recipient's chosen Rural Leaders programme (programmes listed on their website)
- Access to a unique, dynamic environment combining practical and real-life examples
- A new network and exposure to industry leaders and strategic influencers
- Leadership tools and skills to apply personally and to your team/business
- Opportunities to connect with industry leaders and peers through B+LNZ events and networking functions
Eligibility criteria
- Applicants must be actively living and working on a New Zealand livestock farm.
- Must hold New Zealand citizenship or a New Zealand residence visa
- Demonstrated experience in the livestock sector with a commitment to leadership and community development.
- Must propose a relevant project topic (if looking at the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme) that will benefit the wider levy payers and the sheep and beef sector.
- Willingness to report regularly to B+LNZ on programme progress and share findings at B+LNZ events.
- Scholarship must be used towards course fees and used within 12 months of receiving.
How to apply
Applications open 1 September 2026.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
2026 Scholarship Recipients
Julia Hardwick Smith | Rawhitiroa
Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme
Julia will research alternative approaches to rearing triplet lambs to improve survivability, reduce wastage, and identify barriers to wider farmer adoption. She is focused on the future ownership and leadership of her family sheep and beef farm.
Dianne Roadley | Wairoa
Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme
Dianne's project explores how the agricultural sector can better communicate information to farmers, helping improve knowledge uptake and strengthen connections between rural and urban communities.
Jeremy Leigh | Glen Murray
Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme
A veterinarian and farmer, Jeremy will investigate opportunities for greater dairy-beef integration and smarter parasite management to improve farm productivity and sustainability.
Nic Ruddenklau | Oamaru
Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme
Nic will examine the wool supply chain, focusing on improving traceability, strengthening farmer-stakeholder connections, and supporting better returns for wool growers.
Tessa Miller | Riversdale, Gore
Value Chain Innovation Programme
Tessa is exploring how environmental improvements on-farm can be better connected to market opportunities, helping farmers capture greater value from sustainability initiatives.
Sam Mann | Dannevirke
Value Chain Innovation Programme
Sam is focused on agricultural education and youth development, gaining insights that can be shared through cadetship programmes and future charitable farming initiatives.
These recipients represent a diverse group of rural leaders committed to advancing New Zealand's primary sector through innovation, sustainability, education, and stronger industry connections.