AS the sixth generation in her family to farm sheep at Ravenswood, Brittany Bickford has a wealth of knowledge to draw upon.
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The 20 year-old is extending the support passed down from her parents and grandparents through her agricultural science studies at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.
She was named among nine young farmers in Victoria to share in $50,000 of scholarships from Rural Finance to support their tertiary studies earlier this month.
Ms Bickford said the job opportunities in agriculture made it an attractive option.
"They say that for every graduate, there are four jobs available," she said.
"There's that knowledge that there is a secure job at the end."
The Bickford family runs sheep on a 1200 hectare property near the Calder Highway.
As the first in her family to attend university, Ms Bickford said she enjoyed applying the extended knowledge on the family farm.
"It's mostly about learning the science behind farming. Just this week I've had a practice exam on weeds and pasture, going through and identifying all the different plants and writing down their botanic names," she said.
"I hope to help out with pasture management and agronomy."
Ms Bickford hoped to use her $6000 scholarship over the next three years to take part in an agricultural travel program through Charles Sturt, travelling overseas to learn about other agricultural industries.
The Rural Finance scholarships also recognised excellence in studies in agronomy, veterinary science and philosophy.
Mitiamo farmer David Leech also received a scholarship to support his diplomas of agriculture and agronomy at Longerenong College.
He comes from a mixed farming enterprise of sheep, Poll Herefords and cropping, and is on the college's steer team.