November 23rd, 2025Agriculture Victoria proud to support the future of agriculture

Agriculture Victoria is proud to support the future of agriculture through the Young Farmers Upskill and Invest Scholarship.  

Since 2015 there have been 146 new and emerging farmers who have received this scholarship, and in 2025 there are 3 recipients who hail from Grampians Mallee.

Rex Chalmers is a market gardener and co-owner of Tumpinyeri Growers, and small scale agroecological market garden operating through a land-sharing partnership on Jonai Farms, a pasture raised pig and cattle farm on Djaara Country.

He focuses on designing efficient, regenerative growing systems that build soil health, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen farm resilience and profitability.

Lisa Monaghan from Concongella is a registered nurse but has recently returned to the family farm with the aspiration to take it over.

This scholarship will support Lisa to gain accredited agricultural education through a Certificate II in Agriculture and wool classing certificate.

Lisa will take these skills back to the family farm where she will continue to grow and improve the business with confidence.

Based in McKenzie Hill, Keely McDonald is committed to a long-term career in apiculture, focusing on queen bee breeding and its role in supporting Australia’s food industries.

As a young beekeeper and queen bee breeder with a career background in scientific research, Keely is eager to expand her technical knowledge and practical skills.

She will focus on strengthening her understanding of selective breeding (including using artificial insemination), data-informed decision-making, the native Australian flora on which bees heavily rely and farm tourism for business diversification.

To learn more about how Agriculture Victoria is investing in the next generation of farmers visit https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/networks/young-farmers/