Lake Boga dairy farmer Sally Bethune has been awarded the 2026 Nuffield Farming Scholarship to study the keys to success in value-adding for dairy farmers around the world.
Each year, Gardiner Foundation partners with Nuffield Australia to offer this opportunity to a Victorian dairy farmer. The scholarship enables recipients to explore an agricultural topic of their choice, gaining insights from global leaders and bringing innovation back to their farms and communities.
As part of her scholarship, Sally will spend 15 weeks over two years travelling internationally, five weeks in a group program through key agricultural nations including China, India, Brazil, the USA, Canada, the UK and Europe, followed by ten weeks of independent research.
Sally, who operates a dairy and on-farm processing business with her husband, said her Nuffield research will focus on how value-adding can support farm sustainability, profitability and generational succession.
“As dairy farmers who have expanded into value adding with on-farm processing, we’re often asked for advice by others wanting to do the same,” Sally said. “The Nuffield scholarship gives me the opportunity to gather information from value-adding farmers around the globe and build a resource that can help Australian dairy farmers make informed decisions.”
Sally said the idea of “having a go” underpins both her business and personal philosophy.
“We wanted to have a portion of our business where we set the milk price ourselves, create opportunities for our five sons, and do something our community can be proud of,” she said. “Our business motto is ‘Great Family, Great Business, Great Community’, and we really work hard to make that a reality.”
Through their value-adding business, Sally and her family have created local jobs and built strong community connections, something she believes is crucial for the future of Australian agriculture.
“Food is a universal language and the perfect way to connect people to farming,” she said. “If my research can help other dairy farmers build great storytelling businesses, then it’s a win for the whole community.”
Gardiner Foundation CEO Allan Cameron congratulated Sally on her achievement, noting that leadership and innovation are central to Gardiner’s mission.
“The Nuffield Scholarship is a powerful way to develop industry leaders who bring back global knowledge and apply it locally,” Mr Cameron said. “Sally’s research into value-adding has the potential to strengthen on-farm profitability and the resilience of Victoria’s dairy communities.”
Sally said attending the recent Nuffield National Conference in Adelaide gave her an early insight into the diversity and determination within Australian agriculture.
“Hearing farmers report on everything from feedlotting cattle to the viability of small farms was fascinating,” she said. “Resilience and adaptability were strong themes throughout — and the passion farmers have for their industries was inspiring.”
Sally will commence her international research in 2026 and looks forward to sharing her findings with the wider industry.