Rod McPherson Memorial Rural Scholarship

Turning a tragedy into something positive and enduring, is how the family, friends and rural connections of Rod McPherson view the Memorial Scholarship set up in his name following an early morning accident on a farm in Nukuhou, Whakatane west in March 2022.  

Rod and his wife Jacqui have been extremely supportive of young farming cadets on the farms they have worked on and managed over the past 40 years in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Rod was a passionate farmer and had always championed those who sought to learn as much as they could to foster animal welfare, care for the environment and to improve farm production. His commitment and enthusiasm was infectious, and the young trainees often left Rods farm with far more than they anticipated. 

His own years at Massey University where he studied for a Diploma in Agriculture, had stood him in good stead for his chosen career. He was a lifelong learner and encouraged those who were attracted to a career and the rural lifestyle to learn as much as possible. In his words, "there was room for improvement everyday".  Rod and Jacqui have also hosted many international students in their home over the years and introduced them to New Zealand farming life and food production #101.  

This fund is a fitting tribute to a man who has left an indelible mark on the farming community and will be awarded annually to a young person from the Eastern Bay of Plenty seeking a course of study at tertiary level, with the view to a career in agriculture.  

Scholarship applications open on August 1st and close on August 30th, click here for the Scholarship application form and information. 

Contributions to the Rod McPherson Memorial Rural Scholarship Fund can be made at any time