After a fortuitous gap year on a cotton farm in Griffith, Australian National University student and Horizon Scholar Julian Craven 'fell in love' with the cotton industry.
Now in his final year of a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Agricultural Innovation at the Australian National University (ANU), Julian is part of a growing wave of students stepping into agriculture from outside traditional backgrounds – and being noticed for it. His dedication earned him sponsorship by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) for the 2024-25 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship Program.
"After spending a year on a cotton farm, I fell in love with the industry – it's incredibly innovative and constantly evolving. Being sponsored by CRDC has been amazing because they're forward-thinking and always looking to support young people in the industry," Julian said.
As part of the two-year Horizon Scholarship program, Julian will receive a $10,000 bursary to assist with university and living expenses, attend annual professional development workshops, and complete two weeks of industry work placements each year.
In the six months since joining the program, Julian has already gained valuable experience in two distinct placements. His first week was spent at Parliament House gaining exposure to policy with Cotton Australia.
People often think of agriculture as just science and farming, but there's a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to shape policy at the state and federal levels.
"It was fascinating to see how much effort goes into representing and advocating for the industry," he added.
His second week proved just as valuable, spending a comprehensive week in Moree, NSW with CottonInfo , Cotton Australia's extension program.
Hosted by CottonInfo Program Manager Janelle Montgomery, Julian's experience included visiting key industry stakeholders and research facilities across the region, including the Moree Valley Irrigators Association, University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba and the Australian Cotton Research Institute Narrabri, among others.
"The two placements were completely different – but both equally eye-opening," said Julian.
Rachel Holloway from CRDC believes Julian's experience is a powerful example of the diverse paths into agriculture – and why CRDC is backing students like him.
ANU is not a traditional ag uni, which shows we're looking for diversity, not just targeting ag backgrounds. Julian stood out because he's motivated, curious, and a great communicator.
"He connects really well with growers, researchers, and industry staff which is incredibly valuable."
Rachel noted that Julian's keen interest in water management aligned with CRDC's strategic priorities.
"During his second placement he explored water use on farms, worked with the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association, and even went out with the water metering regulator. That real-world exposure is exactly what we want to give scholars."
Julian's hands-on ag experience began through the AgCAREERSTART program, working on a cotton farm in Quirindi – a key link in what Rachel calls "the pipeline."
"We want people who'll become mentors for the industry," Rachel said. "Julian will go back to uni, share his experience with student groups, and become an advocate for both the Horizon Program and cotton."
She added that building awareness of diverse careers in cotton is central to CRDC's strategic plan. "We're focused on building cotton research capacity, and to do that we need to let students know about the exciting opportunities out there."
Looking ahead, Julian is eager to explore his options – from policy to practical research. "I want to understand the science, the policy, and have hands-on experience. Right now, I'm just grateful for all the opportunities and want to keep learning."
For Rachel and CRDC, that's exactly the point. "You can only show young people what's possible," she said.
"If the industry doesn't start those conversations, they won't know what's out there – but Julian is proof that when they do, great things happen."
AgriFutures Australia is committed to supporting the next generation of leaders that will drive the future prosperity of Australian rural industries and communities. The AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship is awarded to students studying an agriculture-related undergraduate degree or a Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths/Finance (STEM) degree with relevant majors which align to agriculture.
Applications for the 2026 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship open in November 2025.
