Miss Schwartfeger (18) has been awarded the Beef and Lamb New Zealand Telford Agribusiness Scholarship for 2013, which contributes to the cost of tuition fees up to a maximum of $4000.
Originally from Hawera in Taranaki, she came to Telford last year and completed a certificate in agriculture and, this year, is studying towards a diploma in rural business.
While she came from an urban background, she had friends on a farm and she enjoyed helping out. She also enjoyed going hunting and working with livestock and dogs.
She described Telford as an ''awesome'' experience. She had learnt a lot and gained a lot of skills and knowledge, particularly from work experience when hosted by farmers.
Once she completed her studies at the end of November, she hoped to get a job as a shepherd and work her way up, possibly to a farm manager's position.
She might also complete some university papers through Lincoln at some stage.
Sheep and beef farming was her passion and she enjoyed the variety of the work - ''not one day is exactly the same'' - along with the people involved and the environment.
She has two dogs, a heading dog and a huntaway, which she is training at the moment.
Beef and Lamb southern South Island extension manager Paul McCauley was impressed with the calibre of applicants for the scholarship.