Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.
Jon Pemberton
Jon Pemberton (2025 Nuffield).
Southland dairy farmers Birgit and Jon Pemberton are converting a neighbouring sheep farm to expand their dairy platform, aiming for a simpler, more resilient and environmentally responsible system.
The project includes new infrastructure, larger herd capacity and improved wintering facilities, while reducing operational risk and supporting long-term productivity, sustainability and confidence in the future of dairying.
Separately, the Pemberton’s opened their farm recently hosting a major on-farm DairyNZ field day and showcase in Southland. Their field day covered the practicalities of dairy farm conversion, expansion, and system redesign.
James Allen
James Allen (2023 Nuffield).
AgFirst Chief Executive James Allen is urging dairy farmers not to base this season’s plans on last year’s exceptional growing conditions. Instead, he recommends budgeting feed for an average season, securing supplements early and reassessing conditions by December 1 using soil moisture as a key indicator.
With El Niño increasing drought risk, particularly in Canterbury and eastern regions, Allen says farmers should have contingency plans ready and make early decisions if conditions deteriorate.
Take a read of the full article here from Rural News this week.
Sandra Faulkner
Sandra Faulkner (2012 Nuffield).
Newly elected Federated Farmers Vice President Sandra Faulkner says sweeping government reforms must provide certainty for farmers and reflect rural communities’ needs.
She stresses the importance of rural input into changes affecting local government, freshwater and resource management, saying long-term certainty is essential for farm businesses.
Faulkner also calls for cross-party support on emergency management and infrastructure, highlighting reliable roads, telecommunications and connectivity as critical for rural resilience, safety and productivity.
Take a read of the full article here in Rural News this week.
Harriet Bremner and Ed Pinckney
Harriet Bremner and Ed Pinckney (2020 Nuffield).
Ed Pinckney and Harriet Bremner appeared on Country Calendar in mid-June. Ed and Harriet run the 1500ha Jericho Station in Blackmount, Western Southland.
Andy Thompson says ‘…it’s a great piece of television.” If you’re signed up for TVNZ+, you can watch the episode here.
Harriet also appeared on CountryWide Connect with Sarah Perriam-Lampp and Andy Thompson on July 8. Harriet discussed, among other things, what it was like for her and Ed to appear on Country Calendar.
On the experience Harriet said, “I think a lot of people don’t realise that you don’t get to pre-watch the episode, so when the rest of the country sees it for the first time, you also see it for the first time,” she says.
“We were really pleasantly surprised, and felt that they delivered a really balanced programme.”
Nick Pridgeon
Nick Pridgeon (Current Kellogg Scholar)
Bay of Plenty horticulture professional Nick Pridgeon has joined the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, supported by a Zespri scholarship.
The senior orchard manager with Pivot Hort hopes to strengthen his leadership skills, broaden his perspective beyond the kiwifruit industry and build valuable rural networks.
Nick plans to apply the programme’s learning to support colleagues, improve orchard performance and contribute to New Zealand’s horticulture sector.
Kate Tomlinson
Kate Tomlinson (2026 Kellogg).
Kate Tomlinson, 2025 Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Scholarship winner, spoke to Bryan Gibson Managing Editor at Farmers Weekly for our Ideas that Grow Podcast recently.
Kate shared her journey from a UK farm to New Zealand, where Kate now blends practical farming with sustainability and data insights in her role with Map of Ag.
Take a read of the Farmers Weekly article, or listen to the podcast here.
