Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.
Kate Kellick, 2024 Kellogg Scholar.
Kate Kellick’s esheep, a shedding sheep breeding operation, hosted its first ram auction in Mangamahu near Wanganui recently.
The auction saw farmers from across the North Island, bid on the adaptive shedding sheep.
In a Farmers Weekly article by fellow Kellogg alum Cheyenne Wilson, Kate said: “It was quite surprising. There was a good turnout of people from all over the place. There were even a few bidding wars, with people vying for the same ram and pushing the prices right up.”
During the auction the top ram fetched $8000, with an average price of $3500.
“That’s apparently topped the average ram price in New Zealand,” Kellick said.
“It definitely exceeded my expectations and makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
Take a read of Cheyenne Wilson’s Farmers Weekly article here.
You can also read Kate’s Kellogg report here.
Reuben Carter, 2015 Kellogg Scholar and 2024 HortNZ Leadership Programme graduate.
A recent ODT Rural Life article charts Reuben’s career and life course so far – let’s just say he’s been a busy man. You can read more on Reuben’s journey here.
As a both a Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme and HortNZ Leadership Programme graduate Reuben is well equipped to deal with the challenges and opportunities the sector presents.
Reuben, is a crop manager with Oakley’s Premium Fresh Vegetables in Canterbury. Delivered by Rural Leaders, Reuben and his fellow cohort completed the HortNZ Leadership Programme in two phases over nine weeks, between August and October this year.
Take a read about Reueben’s HortNZ Leadership Programme experience here.
Tracy Brown, 2020 Nuffield Scholar.
Following up on last month’s post on Tracy Brown’s new role as Chair at DairyNZ, we share a recent DairyNZ ‘Talking Dairy’ Podcast.
In the podcast Tracy shares her inspiring journey and her vision for the future of New Zealand’s world-leading dairy industry.
You can hear how Tracy plans to steer DairyNZ to deliver greater value for farmers here.
Rosie Dowling, 2014 Kellogg Scholar.
Rural Leaders’ programme alumni appear regularly on Country Calendar.
In one of the most recent episodes, Rosie Dowling’s determination in the face of adversity features as she farms sheep and beef, raises her young kids after her husband dies, and runs a business making wool-insulated dog kennels.
This is an inspiring watch. Head here to view.
There’s also this article on Rosie, in CountryWide by Joanna Grigg.
Anna Nelson, 2016 Kellogg Scholar.
Anna Nelson has been Chair of the co-operative side of Silver Fern Farms for six months and will take over from Rob Hewett as Chair of the Shanghai Maling joint venture side of the business in May.
Anna also runs a 1450ha King Country sheep and beef farm with husband Blair.
You can read more about Anna in Farmers Weekly’s Land Champions series below.
Sarah How (Tait), 2018 Kellogg Scholar.
The Zanda McDonald Award, a prestigious trans-Tasman honour that recognises and nurtures exceptional talent in agriculture, has announced the final three New Zealand finalists for 2025. The finalists include Kellogg alum Sarah How (Tait) and Lincoln University alum Maegen Blom.
Sarah is Co-founder and General Manager of Landify Ltd, in South Canterbury.
You can read more about the Xander McDonald Awards here.
