With over 130 applications from students in for 2025, the B+LNZ Award-winning Growing Future Farmers initiative is seeking sheep and beef farmers to support the next generation of farmers by being a farm trainer.
Areas of special interest includes farmers based in Canterbury, King Country and Otago.
The Growing Future Farmers (GFF) team recently won the Rabobank People Development Award as part of the 2024 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards. A testament to the programme’s proven track record of producing fully equip young people to work in our sector. In a short interview, Wendy Paul, GFF CEO said “The programme started small and has gone gangbusters…everyone benefits from it…because it really is transforming lives.”
Interested in being a farm trainer?
Visit the official website and help create exceptional farmers.
Olivia Weatherburn, B+LNZ’s National Extension Programme Manager, leads B+LNZ’s People and Capability workstream. The workstream supports cadetships and training opportunities like Growing Future Farmers to ensure our sector is equipped with the right people and skills.
“For those thinking about taking on a trainee, I really encourage you to get in touch with the Growing Future Farmers team and have a chat to see if it’s right for you.
“The outstanding programme is beneficial for both trainees and trainers and the feedback from trainees has been highly positive.”
What's involved in being a Farm Trainer?
Farm trainers take a student on the two-year programme to provide them with practical skills, training, life skills, and experience in agriculture.
Students live and train on the farm as part of your farm team for the duration of the course. Student Success Advisors work with Farm Trainers and Students to support the training.
Typically, students are on courses one day per week and will be on farm training and building experience four days per week.
Farm trainers host some training for the regional group and attend Quarterly Progress Meetings with the Student and Student Success Advisor.
Being a Farm Trainer is not only rewarding for the students but also offers significant benefits for the trainers and their farms. By mentoring students, Farm Trainers gain fresh insights into their own farming practices and can identify opportunities for improvement. This process often leads to enhanced farming techniques, better health and safety practices, and overall increased efficiency on the farm. Additionally, Farm Trainers enhance their leadership and mentoring skills, experiencing both personal and professional growth. Engaging with students and participating in their development can also provide a renewed sense of purpose and satisfaction in their own work.
Dan Jex-Blake, Mangapoike farmer says, “I got involved with GFF because I saw a need to provide more young people the opportunity to enter the sheep, beef and deer industry. It is immensely rewarding having these young people start with little to no farming skills and then see them progress, develop and grow as people to become valuable contributors to the team and the business. It is a real win-win that delivers meaningful outcomes to the student and the farm business.”
Learn more
Learn more and apply on the Growing Future Farmers website.