Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.
Tracy Brown
Tracy Brown (2020 Nuffield, 1997 Kellogg).
Tracy wrote an article for the recent issue of CountryWide. In the article (pages 78 and 79), Tracy argues that New Zealand’s dairy sector has a strong future if it invests in people, skills and sustainability.
Global demand is rising, but farmers face pressure to improve environmental performance and prove transparency.
Tracy (DairyNZ Chair), says attracting capable, adaptable leaders is vital, alongside training the next generation through programmes like NextGen Dairy Farmers.
As traditional family succession is no longer guaranteed, the industry must broaden career pathways and modernise workforce development. Tracy says that with innovation, collaboration and a focus on both profitability and environmental outcomes, dairy can keep growing export value while supporting regional communities.
Roger Barton
Roger Barton (1994 Nuffield Scholar).
Roger Barton, a Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer, also featured in the latest CountryWide (page 127). Roger has been appointed a Safer Farms Regional Champion to promote the Farm Without Harm message in rural communities.
Drawing on his own experience of serious farm injuries, he argues that poor decisions and inadequate preparation often lead to accidents. Roger stresses that the true cost of injuries extends beyond medical expenses to lost productivity, business disruption, and impacts on families and workers.
As a Regional Champion, Roger aims to share practical, real-world safety solutions and encourage open conversations that improve health and safety outcomes on farms.
Kylie Leonard
Kylie Leonard (2023 Nuffield Scholar)
As part of a small delegation of New Zealand Nuffield alumni, Kylie Leonard travelled to Ireland for the 2026 Nuffield Triennial, embracing the opportunity to continue the Nuffield tradition of learning through experience and engagement.
The Triennial explored global agricultural challenges and opportunities, highlighting the importance of soil health, data, knowledge transfer, precision agriculture and innovation in producing more with less.
Kylie gained valuable insights into food security, economic change and agriculture’s role as a stabilising force in an increasingly uncertain world. Visits to leading Irish farming, food and sustainability enterprises showcased farmer-led innovation in action.
Images: Nuffield Scholars in Ireland for the Triennial, and Kylie on a Triennial panel.
A highlight was representing farmers on an international panel, where Kylie reinforced the importance of farmer voices, concluding: “Farmers need to be at the table, not on the menu.”
Rebecca Hyde
Rebecca Hyde (2017 Nuffield Scholar, 2021 Kellogg Scholar)
Rebecca penned an excellent article recently for Farmers Weekly’s ‘Eating the Elephant’. The article has proven popular with many as it neatly reflects on the chaos and rewards of raising young children while farming.
The article argues that farm kids gain invaluable life lessons through hands-on involvement in daily rural life.
While balancing motherhood, farm work and personal identity can be challenging, Rebecca celebrates the resilience, empathy and sense of belonging children develop on the farm.
Rebecca also highlights the importance of community, leadership and participation, encouraging rural women to back themselves and help shape the future of farming.
Phil Weir
Phil Weir (2020 Nuffield Scholar)
Phil Weir offered a follow up to Rebecca Hyde’s piece, also in Eating the Elephant that builds on Rebecca reflection that children may be the ones really running the farm.
Phil argues they should also be viewed as the farm’s most important customers. Reflecting on honesty, family and modern farming life, he challenges the tendency to hide behind busyness and operational demands.
Inspired by the idea of “dancing with your customers”, Weir suggests farming, parenting and partnership are best approached as a shared rhythm rather than a checklist, with presence and connection mattering most.
Natasha Cave
Natasha Cave (2025 Kellogg Scholar).
Natasha Cave joined a panel for How Wearables Are Enabling Pasture Management on Hill Country at Science for Farmers at Fieldays on Thursday.
As a King Country sheep and beef farmer and author of the Kellogg report Beef on the Brink of a Tech Revolution: Wearables on NZ Hill Country, Natasha brought firsthand experience of how emerging technologies are being applied on-farm.
Natasha shared practical insights into the role of wearables and virtual fencing, and what these innovations could mean for the future of hill country farming.
Natasha and fellow panellists provided a thought-provoking discussion on the future of pasture management, sheep and beef systems, and the opportunities technology is creating for New Zealand farmers.
