Mr Pemberton, his wife Birgit and their three school-aged children operate two dairy farms either side of Edendale.
He is an Environment Southland southern ward councillor, Ag Proud New Zealand chairman, National Lamb Day steering group chairman and committee member of Three Rivers Catchment and Edendale Aquifer Groups.
In a statement, Mr Pemberton said he was highly motivated to apply for a Nuffield because of the engagement he had had with Nuffield alumni over the last few years.
‘‘They are often such critical and analytical thinkers — I’ve found this refreshing.
‘‘I have had [discussions with them] around the big challenges facing the sector that we need to address now and in the future.’’
The scholarship was presented by Horticulture Minister Nicola Grigg at a function in Wellington earlier this month.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was also present to congratulate them.
The four scholars will each receive $50,000 to carry out research and travel overseas to learn about global agriculture and bring back new insights and ideas for improving the food and fibre sector.
Rural Leaders chief executive Lisa Rogers said next year would be busy for scholars with the international Contemporary Scholars Conference to be held in Auckland.
‘‘Our four new scholars will join over 100 international Nuffield Scholarship recipients for an ideal opportunity to get to know each other and learn at the start of their Nuffield journeys.’’
Nuffield scholars then split into groups to travel around the globe, starting from March.
They will visit businesses, institutions and research organisations to dig deeper into their chosen topic and work out solutions and challenges.
- Lauren Pattemore
