The initiative is supported by six Research and Development Corporations (RDC's), along with Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia and FMC Australasia to develop the next generation of rural leaders.

Following an extensive judging process focused on the applicants' commitment to agriculture, leadership potential and career aspirations, 20 students from around the country have been awarded an AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship.

Mr White is sponsored by Dairy Australia and will receive a $10,000 bursary over two years, and plenty of opportunities to develop his leadership skills and his networks.

On top of the bursary, he will also attend an annual four-day professional development workshop and complete two weeks of industry placement, all of which is covered by the support of their sponsor.

AgriFutures Australia Managing Director John Harvey congratulated the successful recipients and welcomed the next generation of rural leaders to the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship program.

"We are thrilled to welcome our 2021 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship winners, whose exceptional passion, drive and commitment to agriculture has distinguished them from a talented pool of over 90 applicants. It is very exciting to see the quality and diversity coming into our industries," Mr Harvey said.

Mr Harvey thanked new and returning Horizon sponsors and acknowledged their significant contribution to the program, particularly in offering student's valuable exposure to the agricultural sector.

"The AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship would not be possible without our sponsors. The diversity of industry sponsors reflects the desire across the board to focus on the next generation of leaders who will build prosperous and sustainable rural industries of the future," he said.

2021 sponsors include Grains Research & Development Corporation, Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia, Australian Eggs, Australian Wool Innovation, Dairy Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, Hort Innovation, FMC Australasia and the AgriFutures Emerging Industries, Rice and Thoroughbred Horses programs.

Mr White, who is studying a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor Advanced Studies at The University of Sydney was thrilled to receive the scholarship and thanked Dairy Australia who will support his Horizon journey.

"It's an honour to receive the scholarship, not only will it open doors and connect me with industry professionals, but I will gain valuable experience in the dairy industry," he said.

All students involved with the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship program will attend a four-day workshop in July focused on leadership and personal development.

The workshop will feature special guest speakers, industry experts, and also provide the opportunity to network, meet sponsors and discuss innovations and challenges in the agricultural sector.

The full list of recipients (name, university, sponsor):

Alyse Wood, The University of Queensland, AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program

Angus Malmo, The University of Sydney, AgriFutures Rice Program

Bill Lee, The University of Melbourne, Grains Research and Development Corporation

Caitlin Morgan, The University of Melbourne, Australian Wool Innovation

Christopher Duke, James Cook University, Dairy Australia

Demi Taylor, Charles Sturt University, Grains Research and Development Corporation

Emelia Inwood, University of New England, FMC Australasia

Emily Lavis, Charles Sturt University, AgriFutures Emerging Industries

Gemma Hancock, The University of Sydney, Australian Eggs

Hanlie Lubbe, University of New England, FMC Australasia

Harrison Dunning, The University of Sydney, Grains Research and Development Corporation

Jack Jansen, University of New England, Meat & Livestock Australia

Lachlan White, The University of Sydney, Dairy Australia

Lilly Rehbein, The University of Queensland, Hort Innovation

Matilda Meppem, The University of Queensland, Grains Research and Development Corporation

Paris Capell, Australian National University, Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia

Patrick Armstrong, Murdoch University, Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia

Pippa Pryor, University of New England, Meat & Livestock Australia

Sam Mac Smith, The University of Sydney, Grains Research and Development Corporation

Stephanie Hennings, University of New England, Dairy Australia