Sam Hay-Smith
BBM Industry Scholar
Agriculture
2014
Growing up on a cattle station in north east Victoria, agriculture was always in Sam’s blood. His passion, however, is not in lifestock, but in agronomy.
In 2014, with a Diploma in Agriculture through Tafe NSW, Sam had just enough experience and knowledge to take a shot at the BBM Global Industry Scholarship.
“I thought it was just another thing that you apply for and never get so didn’t think too much about it,” Sam says. With his teacher’s encouragement, however, he gave it a go and was soon on his way to the UK for his global industry experience.
With the agronomic supply company Agrovista, Sam travelled all over the UK, learning new techniques and processes and experiencing new technology, knowledge he still calls on to this day. His study tour covered weed management, horticulture, cropping and pasture. Despite the small geographical area of the UK Sam found a great variation in ecological conditions, which in turn presented unlimited opportunities to learn.
Back in Australia Sam continued his studies and earned a Bachelor of Agriculture Science from Charles Sturt University.
Together with his qualifications, his global industry experience and the contacts he made during his scholarship now form the foundation of his career.
Sam recently took up a position as an Agronomist with Elders in Mount Gambier, where he focuses on pastoral agronomy for dairy and beef, taking his love of agronomy back to his roots. He still discusses questions and issues that arise with his UK industry contacts, who support his development and answer questions he may have, half a world away.
While his industry clearly benefits from Sam’s global experience and his industry network, he is also keen to help other young talent in agriculture to make the most of their opportunities.
‘The BBM Youth Support Award provided me with a leg up’ explains Sam; ‘and has helped me springboard into my current role. I’m happy to help others do the same and build my industry.’
Sam is an active mentor who supports new BBM Industry Scholars with advice and contacts to help them make the most of the experience.
