2026 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship. Apply by 17 August 2025. Read More...

Apply for 2026 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship by 17 August 2025. More details...

Rural Leaders News

NZ sheep & beef farms close to being carbon neutral

Beef +Lamb NZ recently released a significant new piece of independent research that shows the woody vegetation on New Zealand sheep and beef farms is offsetting between 63 percent and 118 percent of their on-farm agricultural emissions, meaning our farms are close to being carbon neutral.

Link to report: https://beeflambnz.com/net-carbon-report

“This research shows that of the remaining emissions, the vast majority are being offset by the trees on our farms and New Zealand sheep and beef farmers are well on the way to being carbon neutral by 2050."

Sam McIvor, CEO Beef + Lamb New Zealand

2021 Nuffield NZ Scholarships Awarded

2021 Nuffield Scholars

Photo from left to right: Lynsey Stratford, Daniel Eb, David Eade, Hon Minister Damien O’Connor, John Foley, Ben Anderson 

 

Media release, Tuesday, 3rd November 2020

The latest cohort of emerging leaders in New Zealand’s primary sector were awarded a 2021 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship at Parliament on 3rd November. The Scholarships were awarded by Hon Damien O’Connor, Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity and Food Safety, Minister for Rural Communities and Minister of State for Trade and Export.

The 2021 Nuffield scholars are Ben Anderson, owner and manager of a dry stock farm in Hawkes Bay, David Eade, owner of a finishing block in Whanganui and GM of Apiary Solutions, Daniel Eb, Auckland based Communication Strategist, John Foley, Senior Seed Production Agronomist for PGG Wrightson Seeds in Christchurch and Lynsey Stratford, an equity partner in a 420 cow dairy farm in Curio Bay and Dairy Environment Leader with Dairy NZ.

Click here to read the 2021 Nuffield Scholar bios.

The travel programme for scholars next year will be different to previous years due to border closures resulting from COVID19.  Typically, the Nuffield Scholarship programme involves travel internationally for at least four months and participation in a Contemporary Scholars Conference with Nuffield Scholars from around the world. Followed by a six-week Global Focus Programme through several countries with other scholars. 

“Next year our scholars will start their programme with extensive national travel to gain greater insights and deeper understanding into New Zealand’s primary sector before embarking on any international travel” says Nuffield NZ Chairman, Andrew Watters.

“Although the programme will be delivered differently to previous years, it will offer scholars new opportunities and experiences, along with a global perspective whether or not scholars travel abroad” says Watters.

The five new Scholars will join more than 160 Nuffield alumni who have been awarded Nuffield Scholarships over the past 70 years. Their research topics are likely to cover a range of different agricultural issues such as climate change, fractional investing in agriculture, repositioning the role that farming plays in society, technology in agriculture around automation of roles and health, safety and wellbeing on farm.

Siobhan O’Malley & Wayne Langford – Meat the Need

In our last newsletter we featured the work Siobhan O’Malley and Wayne Langford have been doing with their new charitable venture ‘Meat the Need’. 

Tune in to this podcast where Siobhan and Wayne talk about how and why they got started on the ‘Meat the Need’ charity concept.

To find out more about Meat the Need charity or to donate click here: https://meattheneed.org/

Anna Nelson’s work for King Country River Care Group

Anna Nelson, 2016 Kellogger, is currently working as the Co-ordinator for King Country River Care Group.

Anna recently featured on Sarah’s Country where she talked about the work she has been doing for the King Country River Care Group who have been awarded an $844K grant to support clean waterways in the King Country.

Click here to listen to Sarah’s Country podcast >>>

Programme partners update

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We were pleased to welcome LIC on board as a Programme Partner in June this year with the signing of a three-year agreement.

Our partnership with LIC helps support NZ Rural Leaders mission to grow world class leaders capable of local, national and international impact.

LIC is a herd improvement and agri-technology co-operative that empowers farmers through the delivery of superior genetics and technology.

Find out more about LIC here.

Rural Leaders are pleased to have re-signed a three year partnership agreement with GlobalHQ in July.

GlobalHQ is a data and information business supporting New Zealand Agripreneurs, including every farmer in the country. Their brands include Farmers Weekly, Dairy Farmer, Onfarm Story,  Agri HQ, Farmer’s Voice, Sarah’s Country.

We thank GlobalHQ for their continued support in helping us deliver the Kellogg and Nuffield programmes.

Find out more about Global HQ here.

NZTE Funding Assistance for Kellogg Applicants

Rural Leaders are now registered with the NZTE business Capability Scheme. applicants may be eligible to receive funding assistance up to 50% of the Kellogg course fee.

Kellogg applicants now may be eligible to receive funding assistance up to 50% of their course fee.​

Do you qualify for funding?

The following criteria will be used by the Regional Business Partners to identify whether or not your business qualifies for funding:

  • Have undergone an assessment with a Regional Business Partner (i.e. Growth Advisor)
  • Have fewer than 50 full time employees.
  • Are registered for GST in New Zealand
  • Are operating in a commercial environment.
  • Are a privately owned business, or are a Māori Trust or incorporation under the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 or similar organisation managing Maori assets under multiple ownership.
  • Demonstrate a desire to innovate and grow.

For more information or to apply for the funding available through NZTE, please visit their website.

Or click here to find out more about the new Kellogg Regional Initiatives.

To receive updates on Kellogg courses and initiatives, register your interest here:

Rebecca Hyde’s Nuffield Journey

Videos | Articles | Report

Rebecca's video insights from her travels around the world

Before leaving...

Notes from India

Brazil

Denmark

Quatar

USA

USA continued

United Kingdom

Canada, Ireland, UK

China

Rebecca Hyde's Nuffield Report:

Effective industry collaboration of environmental gains

Rebecca's stories and articles

Rebecca Hyde: REX Interview, what’s next for 2021 Nuffield Programme?

India Global Focus Programme 2017: Rebecca Hyde

Healthy environment and healthy food go hand in hand

2017 Nuffield Scholars Announced

Hamish Murray : Lessons for farm teams in study

Nuffield Scholar Hamish Murray’s work on the changing nature of farm work highlights how even that bastion of stalwart farming types needs to change to remain a relevant, exciting and desirable place to work for a new generation.

Read the full article sourced from Farmers Weekly (18 June 2020) here.

Click here to listen to Hamish’s interview on Sarah’s Country. 

OPEN NOW!
2021 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship Applications

Applications close 23 August 2020

Are you an NZ Farmer/grower or Agribusiness Professional looking to broaden your horizons, grow your networks and gain some global experience in the agri sector?

Click here to find out how you can do that through the Nuffield Scholarship Programme.

Apply now for a 2021 Scholarship.

Corrigan Sowman : All Black thinking tackles stress

Nuffield Scholar Corrigan Sowman believes an All Black approach to thinking will build more resilience in farmers.

Farmers are under increasing pressure as changes in society, technology and climate leave them questioning their role as producers of food. The challenges are making the right decisions for their wellbeing and producing food modern consumers demand. 

Corrigan Sowman has found some of the best lessons for thriving in this new environment can be found with the All Blacks.

Read the full article sourced from Farmers Weekly (3 June 2020) here.

Tune in to Corrigan’s live interview on Sarah’s Country (4 June 2020).

OPEN NOW!
2021 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship Applications

Applications close 23 August 2020

Are you an NZ Farmer/grower or Agribusiness Professional looking to broaden your horizons, grow your networks and gain some global experience in the agri sector?

Click here to find out how you can do that through the Nuffield Scholarship Programme.

Apply now for a 2021 Scholarship.