Strengthening Australia’s agricultural future: Meet Taylah

University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) student Taylah Mahony is one step closer to her dream career after being named as a 2025-26 AgriFutures Australia Horizon Scholar.

In her third year of studying a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) / Bachelor of Science (Plant Agricultural Science), Taylah was one of just 21 students across Australia to be accepted into this year’s Horizon Scholarship Program.

Backed by industry partners, the program aims to strengthen the resilience, productivity, and long-term sustainability of Australian agriculture by providing students with invaluable exposure to industry leaders and experts across the agricultural sector.

Since its inception in 2010, the Horizon Scholarship Program has supported more than 240 students.

We recently spoke to Taylah about what this honour means to her and what she’s looking forward to as part of the experience.

Congratulations on being announced as a 2025-26 AgriFutures Australia Horizon Scholar. How did you feel when you found out?

I felt ecstatic and proud of myself when I received the phone call from AgriFutures. Last year, I had applied inspired by my friend who was already a scholar. But unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. I felt defeated, but it didn't deter me from applying again this year. Being successful in 2025 was such an incredible feeling knowing that my hard work, commitment and developing my interest within the agricultural industry has paid off.

You’ll have access to a unique program of professional development, industry networking and work placements thanks to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC). How grateful are you for their support?

I am beyond grateful for FRDC's support. I have always been a proactive student in my studies, but have found restrictions to gain valuable work experience with industry outside of Toowoomba. Now, with AgriFutures and FRDC's generosity, I have the opportunity to work within the emerging industries of fisheries without location limitations. I can now go Australia-wide to experience once-in-a-lifetime placements to develop my professional career.

Why did you choose to study agricultural science? Was there a particular moment that drew you to this field?

The reason why I chose to study agricultural science is a complex one, but was one of the simplest decisions to make once I realised how I could make a difference within the industry. I grew up volunteering for my aunty’s charity Farm Angels where I was confronted with the devastation of natural disaster impacting Australian farmers. This, alongside my passion for people and our environment, also showed me the importance of community and how special rural Australia is. The agricultural industry is one big tight-knit community, one that I wanted to be a part of and celebrate. I realised a double degree in agricultural science and journalism will give me the opportunity to share how truly special, important and crucial farmers and the agricultural industry are to everyone.

What are you most excited to experience as part of this opportunity?

I am so excited to meet like-minded scholars at the AgriFutures 2025 Summit conference and converse with sponsor partners about current issues facing the industry. But most of all, I am beyond excited to learn, grow and develop my skills in placement programs that take me around the country – including seaweed research and farming facilities in Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia.

What do you hope to achieve in your career? Do you have any specific goals or ambitions?

My main goal in my career and life in general is to make a difference to the world. I have always been a big believer that the most important things in life are the connections and relationships you make with others. I believe I will be able to do this in the agricultural industry by connecting farmers and rural Australia with my science and communication skills, to convey unity and understanding for everyone.

How do you hope to combine your passions for journalism and agricultural science?

I hope my passions for journalism and agricultural science will give me an amazing opportunity to go into something very niche and allow me to connect more people together by creating a better understanding of science, our farming industries, our communities and our people. I hope to do this by speaking, communicating, connecting, presenting and celebrating through my creative and scientific practice.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am very grateful for this opportunity with AgriFutures and FRDC and am very lucky to have such incredible support backing me as I enter my professional career in the agricultural sector. I can't wait to make a difference and make my family, friends, supporters, UniSQ, and myself proud.