Margaret Head announced recently.

The MPA Field Days’ Fellowship is the first award to be given by the MPA and will be part of the annual Murrumbateman Field Days.

“The association is excited at the opportunity to offer this award as we recognise that it has been a difficult time for many involved in agriculture and this award will encourage young people to stay in the industry,” Ms Head said.

“The fellowship will award $7000 to a person aged between 18 and 35 years who is either working on the land or involved in the agricultural industry to pursue further study, take a study tour or run a special project that is linked to agriculture in the region.

“Murrumbateman is a fast growing rural community and the Murrumbateman Field Days are one of the region’s premier events and the flagship annual event for the Yass Valley,” she said.

The Murrumbateman Field Days’ Manager Robert Wait welcomed the move, saying the award was an ideal fit for the Field Days and for the region.

“The Yass Valley has a proud heritage connection to early rural Australia. From fine wool to flour mills and a burgeoning wine industry in the 1800s, the Yass area has a history in agriculture,” Mr Wait said.

“That history hasn’t changed with the area now boasting a growing modern and well known food and wine scene,” he said.

“We look forward to receiving a number of applications from the many talented young people in our region,” Ms Head and Mr Wait added.

The winner of the MPA Field Days’ Fellowship will be announced on Saturday October 17 at the Murrumbateman Field Days.

For more information on the award, go to www.murrumbateman.org.au/MPA/murrumbateman-field-days-fellowship.