The newly established $500 grant is designed to encourage and support young people from Victorian farming families through their agricultural studies so that they may stay on the land in future.

Laura Newnham is a third year Agribusiness and Accounting student at La Trobe University’s Bendigo Campus and has been paying her way through her studies by working as a barista in Kyneton.

She hopes to one day own a farm and said the bursary would assist with the cost of her text books and commute to and from university.

Spudfest is a not-for-profit event designed to promote and support the community. While most of the revenue used to cover the costs of running the event, there has traditionally been a surplus which is pumped back in to the community.

Spudfest treasurer John Dorset said Spudfest was keen to do something to address the “disappearing farmer” phenomena. 

In the past Spudfest has donated to Trentham Primary School and funded power installation at Quarry Street Reserve.

This year’s Great Trentham Spudfest will be hosted on May 4.