Passionate about agriculture Wakanui-born-and-raised Hamish Paton loves being on the field.

Whether it's playing rugby for St Andrews College, taking part in competitive ploughing, or helping out on the family farm, Paton is there.

The year 13 student was one of a handful to receive an Agri Futures scholarship earlier this month.

The scholarships, which come through the New Zealand Rural Games Trust, provide a financial boost for students going to university or into apprenticeships.

Paton is one of three South Island recipients to receive a scholarship.

“I’m very grateful.”

He’ll put it towards his first year fees at Lincoln University, where he’ll study a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture.

“I was always passionate about the ag industry, and learning about the financial side behind it too,” he said.

Paton is the third generation of his family to live on their crop farm out in Wakanui, and began getting his hands dirty at a young age.

“I’d do anything, break fences, a bit of stock work, bit of tractor work, all those little jobs.”

He got involved with AgriKids and TeenAg competitions during his time at Wakanui school and Ashburton Intermediate.

“I was lucky enough to go to nationals in Napier one year.”

This year, he took out third place in his class at the Wakanui Ploughing Match - a win to cap off his high school years.

Mum Julia said Hamish had always been an overachiever.

“He’s very passionate about agriculture, so it’s good to see him being recognised and encouraged.”

She said it was great that support existed for young people who wanted to pursue farming.

The grant would help take some weight off of course costs, now that students can study in their final year for free, as opposed to their first year.

Hamish doesn’t look to take a break from the extracurriculars once he’s on campus, and said he’d look to join the Young Farmers club there.

“I’m just keen to meet like-minded people, and [get] out onto field trips.”

After university, and a bit of overseas travel, Hamish Paton wants to get back into rural life - whether that’s on his own farm, or taking over the family business - and put his new knowledge to use.But that’s way in the future.

For now, he’s excited to start his university life.

“A big thank you to all the Agri Futures people for making the scholarship possible, I was very honoured to receive it.”

“I’d encourage other people who want it to have a crack at applying for it.”

Hamish is one of eight scholarship recipients, who range from Auckland to Southland. Six are bound for Lincoln University.

By Anisha Satya