The Horizon Scholarship Program: A Catalyst for Transformative Leadership in Agriculture

This week marked my fifteenth Horizon Scholar Summit as a facilitator. Since 2010, this program has given me the privilege of guiding future leaders of Australian agriculture and rural industries on a transformative journey. Each year, I've collaborated with AgriFutures Australia and the many industry sponsors of the Horizon Scholarship to create a "money can't buy" experience. This program unites scholars in person, serving as a catalyst for them to explore their values, strengths, skills, and their "why" in the context of the future of food, fiber, and the planet.

Cathy McGowan AO, Chair of AgriFutures Australia, encouraged the scholars, “You must take up leadership positions now.” These scholars, like all young people, are not leaders in waiting; they are leaders now. Industry groups, community associations, and peak bodies need young people like the Horizon Scholars to apply for boards and leadership roles. This made me reflect on my unique journey with the program.

For those who know me as a theatre director or broadcaster, it may come as a surprise that I dedicate a significant portion of my time and energy to the future of agriculture and rural industries. I have been with the Horizon program since its inception and have had a front-row seat to witness the capacity and potential of these young leaders.

In 2009, at 25, I was deeply involved in reimagining ABC’s Heywire Regional Youth project, which was expanding into multimedia storytelling and change-making juggernaut. My knowledge of youth engagement and new media was invaluable at the ABC, especially as Mark Scott was creating a space for the ABC to reimagine itself. I was fortunate to be given many opportunities at that "moment in time", and as a country kid, I knew the value of a program like Heywire and wanted to see it succeed. Little did I know that my life would come full circle to agriculture and rural industries in a big way.

Each year at Heywire, there were young people passionate about agriculture and their farming communities, concerned about the future of agriculture, how young people were engaging (or not engaging) in careers in agriculture, and frustrated about how agriculture was understood in Australia. A forum held in 2009 brought key industry groups, Research and Development Corporations, and individuals together to discuss these issues and what the industry could do to engage and retain more young people in higher education. The Horizon Scholarship idea emerged from that workshop. Although everyone thought it was a good idea, no one was initially willing to run it.

AgriFutures Australia (which was known as RIRDC in those days) stepped up to facilitate, with the condition that other industry groups would provide financial and supportive backing to offer as many scholarship opportunities as possible. It was an interesting notion because sponsoring a scholar didn’t guarantee a direct return on investment for the sponsors. For instance, Australian Eggs might sponsor a Horizon Scholar, but there was no assurance that an individual would enter the eggs industry. This required sponsors to see the bigger picture, thinking beyond traditional commodity group silos. By sponsoring the Horizon program, they were asked to think beyond themselves and beyond the here and now.

On that day, as the program was envisaged, many in the room had seen Heywire's process evolve in its facilitation and design and wanted similar outcomes for these potential scholars. There was recognition that, while higher education and industry placements are beneficial, other skills need development. Experiences like Heywire, where young people come together and are challenged to think big and work collaboratively, provide invaluable "money can't buy" experiences and skills.

At the time, I was just a few years older than some of the scholars. I wrote to AgriFutures expressing my interest in developing the program. That letter turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.

When Cathy McGowan talks about being leaders now, she means putting your hand up for opportunities, making necessary connections, and saying yes, even if you don’t feel entirely ready. From that letter, this yearly summit has become a cornerstone of my life. I’ve worked with hundreds of scholars since then. The first group comprised nine scholars, but the program has grown significantly. Industry groups and peak bodies recognized the value and joined to sponsor more scholars.

I grew up with the program, both literally and figuratively. In 2010, I was a young changemaker with high-impact work focused on youth development and communities. By 2024, I have become a consultant on strategy, working at the highest levels of Australian agriculture, international media, broadcasting, the international creative industries, and higher education. I’ve been an executive in a NASDAQ-listed company and a board member. Yet, the consistent thread has been the Horizon Scholar program, a yearly moment where I challenge myself to think about how to open up the thinking, creativity, and perspective of young people shaping the now and next of Australia’s most crucial industry.

When I ask the scholars to be bold and think big, I know what is possible. My own experience tells me that if one of the scholars makes a vital connection and seizes an opportunity, it can have life-changing implications.

If all Horizon Scholars, past and present, were in a room today, you’d see industry leaders, innovators in tech and science, people committed to Australian agriculture working in developing countries to ensure sustainability and impact. You’d see business leaders, start up creators, policy leaders, teachers, vets, agronomists, extension experts, and researchers who know they are fundamentally connected to Australia’s most exciting industry.

The future requires collaboration and creativity. It demands clear communication and a different mindset. Young people deserve the opportunity to think beyond what they know and explore different or surprising paths. I often encourage scholars to explore new paths, whether in different sectors or geographical locations. If you're from a beef background, take a detour into fisheries. If you've only been in Australia, work overseas. If you're afraid of public speaking, start practicing and embrace vulnerability. The future of agriculture isn’t limited to traditional narratives; it includes the best and brightest from both rural and urban backgrounds.

From my front-row seat, I see in this year’s Horizon cohort a "next-generation" leader emerging—one deeply committed to agriculture's future, equipped with super science and tech skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit. They may still wear RM Williams boots and puffer jackets (not quite my style), but their perspective is wonderfully collaborative.

We can’t wait for them to be leaders; we need them to contribute significantly and now. Recently, I found the initial letter I sent to AgriFutures (RIRDC) in 2009. It’s fascinating how closely what I envisioned for the Horizon Scholar Summit matches how I think about the program today.

The Horizon Scholarship program has also evolved significantly over the past decade. When it started, it was about encouraging young people to get into agriculture and raising the industry’s profile. Now, it's about fostering exceptional leaders who are actively shaping the future. The perspectives of the young people involved have shifted dramatically; they're thinking globally about agriculture and feeding the world. The diversity of participants has also grown year on year. We now attract a more eclectic mix, including young people from cities with no direct connection to farms, and students from diverse fields such as accounting, economics, engineering, as well as science and agriculture. This diversity brings fresh and surprising points of view to the table, enhancing the cultural maturity of the program.

One constant joy has been partnering with AgriFutures (in its transformation from RIRDC to now), which has always given me the freedom to be creative and bold in crafting the journey for the Horizon Scholars. Although some of my suggestions may have caused apprehension, the trust is intrinsic.

A significant focus for the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship program in recent years has been on targeting STEM university students with majors that align with agriculture. This focus is critical because STEM fields are essential for addressing the National Farmers’ Federation’s ‘Talking 2030’ ambition to grow agriculture to $100 billion in farm gate output and the UN’s #Envision2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including zero hunger. Including STEM in the program and fostering collaboration with experts from these areas has helped to broaden the scope to meet domestic and global challenges.

Equally important is the role of communication and storytelling with purpose. Each year, scholars grapple with the idea of social license for the agriculture industry. Having participants who understand communication as well as science and agriculture is a significant advantage. The program emphasizes the four C's—communication, creativity, collaboration, and culture—to impact the industry's future.

Creativity is another crucial aspect of the program. I always tell young people, “don’t be afraid to be creative.” Creativity isn't just about being artistic; it's about how you approach problems and innovate in any field. The Horizon program uses the framework of design thinking to determine what success looks like, encouraging scholars to think outside the box and even reinvent the box.

The AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship program is genuinely transformative. It brings together scholars' existing knowledge and passions with the skills and experience they gain from their degrees and industry placements. At the workshop, they consider how the agriculture industry in Australia could and should look. This process is highly interdisciplinary and encourages participants to jump into the unknown, creating a giant laboratory where they can experiment and explore what's possible.

The industry connections the scholars gain are also unique. Many scholars are now working overseas, enhancing the global thinking they bring to the workshop. The program has created an amazing global network of Horizon Scholarship alumni who are eager to leverage their collective power for significant impact.

It's been a humbling and rewarding experience to be involved with the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship program for fifteen years. The young people who have participated in the program and those who will join in the future are poised to lead significant and meaningful change in Australian agriculture. I can't wait to see what they will accomplish next.

PS:

The Horizon Scholarship program owes its success to countless brilliant individuals who have collaborated over the years. Many key past and present staff from AgriFutures/ RIRDC, Horizon sponsors, and industry leaders have contributed significantly. The program stands on the shoulders of giants, with dedicated people making time to work with the scholars and advocate for the program.

PPS:

I want to express my deepest respect to the Horizon Scholars, past and present. Thank you for your trust and commitment and leadership.