FMG Young Farmer 2021

FEATURE SUPPLEMENT 25

www.age.co.nz Thursday, November 11, 2021

DISTRICT CONTEST

SUNDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2021

Wairarapa’s top Young Farmers put to the test at Woodville Young Farmers will be pushing the limits of their mental and physical farming skills at Woodville this Sunday 14th November.

The FMG Young Farmer of the Year East Coast South District Contest is one of 18 district qualifying rounds taking place around New Zealand before Christmas.

an opportunity to try an aspect of farming they may have had no previous experience in.

“This could be working with animals or equipment they haven’t come across in their usual day-to-day jobs.

“Spectators will be able to see a whole range of di˜ erent farming skills and it’s a fun event to come and see.”

The winner will go on to compete in the East Coast Regional Final in March next year at Waipukurau and Waipawa.

Dannevirke is a “real community focused club”, says Sam Cooper, co-convener of the event.

And that winner will compete in the Grand Final in Whangarei in July 2022.

“Young Farmers is about being a part of something special – with a real history behind it.

This District Contest is being organised by the Dannevirke Young Farmers Club, which is based in Dannevirke, with competitors also coming from the Wairarapa, South Wairarapa and Dannevirke clubs.

Comprising 15 practical and theoretical modules, the spectator-friendly event is an opportunity to see NZ Young Farmers’ members testing their skills.

District Contests are the entry level for the contest.

“You meet people from all walks of life and the competitions are a real chance for clubs to go head-to-head with each other too.

“It’s a great chance to socialise with people from beyond your own club as well as learning something new.”

The Dannevirke Young Farmers Club meets the ÿ rst Wednesday of every month at the Mangatera Pub and Hotel at 7.30pm.

For more information contact The competition is all about having 93cooperse@hotmail.com or kitty.

MCIA Ad - Farm Focus a go, but also an opportunity for holmes@hotmail.co.uk serious farmers to showcase their skillswide x 90mm high 126mm at a competitive level, says District Contest co-convener Kit Holmes of the The contest is supported by FMG, Dannevirke club.

Ravensdown, Honda, WorkSafe, STIHL, Lincoln “It is about participation, learning some new skills, and giving our young farmers

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Meet the

contestants

THE ENTRANTS TO THIS YEAR’S FMG YOUNG FARMER EAST COAST SOUTH DISTRICT CONTEST ARE:

Edie Galloway Josh Wilkinson Seamus Murnane Brooke Pene Fergus Casey Cameron Artz Georgia Cunningham

Chris Wiffen Monica Fowlie Milly Macnab Brodie Nicholls Mark Wallace Samantha Thomson

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26 FEATURE SUPPLEMENT

Thursday, November 11, 2021 Wairarapa Times-Age

Entries open for AgriKidsNZ and FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year

Entrant numbers growing despite Covid FMG Young Farmer of the Year is the ˜ agship contest for New Zealand Young Farmers and has been one of the most prestigious agricultural competitions in the country since its inception in 1969.

Every year more than 200 contestants battle it out in several practical, theoretical and skills-based challenges over three stages of contest, to be named FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

Now in its 54th season, the contest has a rich history.

The preliminary rounds run through October and November, with at least two District Contests held in each of the seven New Zealand Young Farmers’ regions.

The top eight contestants from each region make it through to FMG Young Farmer of the Year Regional Finals, held from January to April.

Each regional winner then moves through to the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final held in July, where all seven contestants battle it out to be crowned the FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

The East Coast hosts two District

Contests – East Coast North and East Coast South - which are both open to members from any Young Farmers Clubs in the region.

Every year, the competition improves despite the tests that Covid has provided for the third season in a row, says New Zealand Young Farmers CEO Lynda Coppersmith.

“For season 54 we really want to test our competitors and see ‘who’s up for it’.

“We’ve already exceeded last year’s entry numbers across the country, despite the fact that entries for a number of district contests are still open.

“All of our volunteers and conveners right across the country have created some incredible challenges so far, with Regional Final season expected to take that to another level.”

Hoping the country would have shifted to the covid-19 Protection Framework

by Regional Final season in January, Lynda says all events will strictly follow government guidelines at the time.

This year, seasoned competitor Joseph Watts is convening the FMG Young

FEATURE SUPPLEMENT 27

www.age.co.nz Thursday, November 11, 2021

The time has come for primary school students and Teen Ag students to get their teams together for the AgriKidsNZ and FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year contests!

Seasoned competitor Joseph Watts (pictured) wants to test this year’s entrants.

Farmer of the Year East Coast Regional Final, being held in March.

He was named runner-up FMG Young Farmer of the Year at the Grand Final, in both 2019 and 2021, and says his experience after competing for six years inspired him to turn his hand to convening.

“Over that time, I have got a huge amount out of it because of the amazing work that all of the conveners have done in organising those events.

“I wanted to do my small bit to help provide that same opportunity for the next group of competitors to learn some new skills and test the ones they already have.”

With the event scheduled for Saturday 26th March in Waipukurau and Waipawa, Joseph is looking forward to creating a Regional Final that is exciting and engaging for the audience and competitors.

Entries have just opened for the 2022 season which runs alongside the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Regional Finals.

Any primary school kids aged eight to 13 years are eligible to enter in teams of three for AgriKidsNZ where they compete in eight di˛ erent modules based on the primary sector.

“I’m most excited to be working on the other side of the contest and being part of the team that is working out how to best test the competitors’ skills and abilities, rather than trying to work out how to get around the tests myself.”

They then move through to the “race o˛ ” – a time-and points-based racetackling a number of challenges.

But most of all, Joseph hopes to create an event that ÿ nds the best competitor to bring the FMG Young Farmer of the Year title home to the East Coast.

They tackle a series of modules before the top ÿ ve teams move to the “face o˛ ” – an FMG Young Farmer of the Year style quiz.

University of Wairere Since 1965 Wairere has had a proud history of providing a training ground for hundreds of young farmers. The learning and experience they have gained has beneÿted themselves and the primary sector.

High School students are eligible to compete in the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year contest in pairs.

The top three AgriKidsNZ teams and

the top two FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year teams from each Regional Final will be invited to the Grand Final in Whangarei next July to battle it out for their respective national titles.

East Coast region team “The Hereworth Hounds” were runners-up at the AgriKidsNZ Grand Final in Christchurch last July.

Learning about the primary sector and where food comes from, the competitions aim to excite and stimulate all school-aged students from town and country.

NZ Young Farmers Chief Executive Lynda Coppersmith says the best part is that you don’t even need to be from a farm to enter.

“Most of the challenges in both AgriKidsNZ and FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year are agriculturally based to introduce our youth to the sector and where their food comes from, and also to get them excited about all of the di˛ erent opportunities there are in the primary industries.

“At the end of the day, it’s about our

The East Coast team was runners-up at the AgriKidsNZ national championship 2021 – ( left to right) Rubert Smith, Chalkie Williams and Baxter Twist.

tamariki learning to work together, develop lifelong skills, make new friends, learn something new and walk away with a smile on their faces.

“The competition is open but with limited spots available, they can ÿ ll up extremely quickly so we urge parents and schools to sign their teams up as soon as possible!”

For more information and to enter visit www.agrikidsnz.co.nz or www.teenag.co.nz

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FEATURE SUPPLEMENT 29

www.age.co.nz Thursday, November 11, 2021

Give it a go philosophy for ÿ rst time competitor One of the ÿ rst time competitors at this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year East Coast South District Contest is Milly Macnab.

Milly is no stranger to NZ Young Farmers, having been involved with Teen Ag in the North Waikato where she grew up on her family’s sheep & beef farm.

East Coast FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year 2021 winners Alex Wyeth (left) and Jono Harris (right).

East Coast FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year 2021 runners-up Jock Bourke (left) and Thomas Fontaine.

East Coast FMG Young Farmer of the Year 2021 runner-up, Ashley Greer.

Rathkeale duo East Coast Junior champs A duo from Rathkeale College took out the title of East Coast FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year in February, after competing for four years in a row.

Year 12 students Jono Harris, 16, and Alex Wyeth, 16, topped the points table for the regional competition.

Runner-up FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year was awarded to Thomas Fontaine and Jock Bourke, also from Rathkeale College.

Both teams competed at the Grand Final in Christchurch in July against 14 other teams from around the country.

Jono and Alex came fourth and Thomas and Jock sixth.

Jono and Alex said winning the East Coast ÿ nal was completely unexpected and they were quite surprised.

The pair had competed in the contest for the past four years but in di° erent teams.

“It’s a good activity to do, it’s a good time with friends and agriculture is something we’re both passionate about,” Jono says.

PGG Wrightson Masterton Customer Service Representative Ashley Greer was runner-up in the East Coast FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

Both from sheep and beef farms, the pair thrived in the practical aspects of the competition which involved chainsaws and cars.

A second-time competitor, the 30-yearold had experience in the dairy industry, sheep and beef farming, and block managing.

Jono plans to head overseas working after ÿ nishing school. Meanwhile Alex has his sights set on Smedley Station and Cadet Training Farm.

Now past the age limit, Ashley said it was the best way to end her competition days.

After ÿ nishing her degree, Milly went on to spend nine months at the Young Farmers New Zealand’s headquarters in Templeton, working part time as an intern, whilst studying for her post graduate Diploma.

The national o˛ ce has around 12 sta° who keep all the facets of the organisation running, from AgriKidsNZ and Teen Ag, to its special programmes,

membership, and of course the annual competition which starts in November every year with the District Contests, and ends the following July with the Grand Final.

Now Milly has come to Masterton to be the Account Manager for Northfuels which focuses on delivering bulk fuel on farms.

Milly returned to the Wairarapa after previously spending a summer working

The inclusive programme welcomes students from a wide range of backgrounds to explore a career in farming.

“The Grand Final really inspired me with what it o° ers and the opportunities it provides. So I decided to give it a go - there’s no better time.”

“There are so many beneÿ ts. I’ve seen people give it a go and come out of it with a lot more conÿ dence, as well as the social aspect of it - the friends and connections you make are great.”

Milly is not planning to just make up the numbers though.

“I know a couple of the experienced competitors who will be the ones to watch out for. I hope to get level with them.

“I’m quite a competitive person. I will take it with a grain of the salt the ÿ rst time but I’m not just there to participate.”

Milly has been refreshing her university knowledge and will also draw on her practical experience of working on farms for the competition.

“I’m trying to increase my ÿ tness level.

You don’t have to be super ÿ t but it is deÿ nitely a strength when you are putting up a fence or hanging a gate.

“There are areas where I haven’t had any experience. I haven’t worked on a dairy or deer farm extensively, for

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She’s about to go to her ÿ rst meeting of the South Wairarapa Young Farmers Club which she joined because of friends who are already members.

After ÿ ve years of being involved with Young Farmers at an organisational level, Milly decided now is the right time to enter the competition herself.

WAIRARAPA COLLEGE Wairarapa College is proud to be educating the next generation. Our renowned Agriculture Department is led by a team of passionate educators and mentors and is equipped with some of the best facilities for secondary agricultural learning in the country.

instance, but you don’t have to be great at everything to compete.

“I loved the Wairarapa and the community and wanted to return.

I’m really excited to be joining a smaller, more grass roots, club.”

Milly joined the Lincoln University Young Farmers Club when she was studying toward a Bachelor of Agriculture and a post graduate Diploma in Marketing.

While at Lincoln Milly served on the club’s executive committee for three years and eventually became vice chair of the 160 member club.

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30 FEATURE SUPPLEMENT

Thursday, November 11, 2021 Wairarapa Times-Age

An interest in rural living - all you need to join Young Farmers WAIRARAPA (MASTERTON)

the dairy, sheep, and beef industries.

Chairperson is Brooke Gibson and Secretary Monica Fowlie, contactable on the club Facebook page.

Club Meeting Details: Email: wairarapa@youngfarmers.co.nz Venue: Lone Star, 49 Dixon St Masterton Occurrence: 3rd Tuesday of every month Time: 7:30pm

Four Young Farmers clubs are competing in the East Coast South District Contest on Saturday Dannevirke, Puketoi, Wairarapa and South Wairarapa.

You don’t need to be working in the primary industries sector to join your local Young Farmers Club.

To join Young Farmers, you only need to be aged from 18 to 31 to come along and join!

Members are involved in a range of professions including dairy, sheep & beef, agricultural contracting, banking, engineering, forestry, butchery, teaching and lifestyle farming.

There are over 70 clubs situated around New Zealand and each club has its own identity and community spirit, backed by the national organisation.

You make friends for life, network with like-minded individuals and develop your personal and practical skills by organising and participating in meetings, events, social activities and competitions.

New Zealand Young Farmers are committed to contributing to the agri-sector by providing support for rural youth and personal development through collaboration with partners in

DANNEVIRKE YOUNG FARMERS

The co-conveners of the District Contest are chairman Sam Cooper and secretary Kit Holmes of Dannevirke Young Farmers.

Kit: 027 233 6234.

E: Kitty.holmes@hotmail.co.uk Sam: 027 481 4594.

E: 93cooperse@gmail.com Club Meeting Details: Email: dannevirke@youngfarmers.co.nz Venue: Mangatera Hotel, 391 High Street, Dannevirke Occurrence: 1st Wednesday of the month Time: 7pm

PUKETOI (PONGAROA)

Chairperson is Olly Wright and secretary Zoe Richardson, contactable on the club Facebook page.

Club Meeting Details: Email: puketoi@youngfarmers.co.nz Venue: Pongaroa Hotel, Route 52, Pongaroa Occurrence: 3rd Thursday of every month Time: 7pm

SOUTH WAIRARAPA (TAUHERENIKAU)

Chairperson is Brodie Nicholls and secretary Aliyah Wong, contactable on club Facebook page.

Club Meeting Details: Email: southwairarapa@youngfarmers.co.nz Venue: The Greytown Hotel (The Top Pub), Main Street, Greytown Occurrence: 2nd Monday of every month Time: 6:30pm

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