A nursing student from Goolhi in the Warrumbungle Shire has been awarded with a NSW Farmers Scholarship at its Annual Conference in Sydney when it kicked off on 22 July.

Named after former NSW Farmers Chief Executive John White, the scholarship went to Bachelor of Nursing student Charlotte Leys from Goolhi.

Between her studies, Ms Leys works on her family's farm.

“This scholarship is very meaningful to me, but also for the rural communities I plan to support in the future,” Ms Leys said.

“I am incredibly grateful to live in such a small yet tight-knit rural community, and I want to utilise my studies in a way that can give back, especially in the field of rural health.

“This support from NSW Farmers is not just supporting students like me, but is also an investment in the future of rural communities.”

Charlotte was one of 5 gaining a scholarship for their vocational and education future:

• Reuben Huf, Sleepy Hollow – E.L. O'Brien Scholarship

• Kari Donaldson, Willala – John White Memorial Scholarship

• Charlotte Leys, Goolhi – Alan Chapman Memorial Scholarship

• Grace Wilkes-Bowes, Naradhan – Graham Blatch Memorial Goobang Scholarship

• Abigail Tozer, Wallendbeen – Paul Lockyer Memorial Scholarship

Charlotte Leys with other scholarship winners. IMAGE: NSW Farmers

NSW Farmers Conference president Xavier Martin set the tone of day one of the conference, saying his members faced the most serious challenges of their lifetime.

‘’Bio-Security to mobile connectivity where we are treated as second class citizens in our communities, trade tariffs by the US Government, the renewable energy transition and impediments to live exports and the diabolic super tax by the federal government which effects current farmers and halts the next generation of young families," he told members.

"We are re-doubling our efforts to support farmers and your voice matters in the lead up to the next NSW election."

NSW Premier Chris Minns addressing the conference said agriculture was the bedrock of the state.

"It's our third biggest industry it offers $20 billion to our economy, NSW Agriculture feeds us, clothes us."

He said the billion dollar bio-security programme had trapped 200,000 feral pigs and as many deer.

"We are in lockstep with the NSW Farmers over the problems your facing with US trade tariffs, US consumers love our beef, lamb, pork and we are open to fighting for our producers."

Answering a question from Tottenham grazier George Grieg, NSW Agricultural Minister Tara Moriarty told the conference $14 million has been added to the Bio-Security to protect farmers from invasive pigs and deer.

Nationals leader Dugald Saunders told the conference the NSW Government had failed with some of its knee jerk reaction to Bio-Security funding and drought and natural disaster money.