General Archives | Page 10 of 21

The Rural Reader book review.

Nature and Farming – Sustaining biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. By David Norton and Nick Reid (2013).

This collection of New Zealand and Australian case studies discusses a wide range of native biodiversity-enhancing options and tools used in different farming systems in
both countries.

The book, written by two New Zealand and Australian professors, contains an excellent mix of technical and general practical information enhanced by many photographs, charts and other images.

Readers who are farming or working with the agricultural sector should find this 300-page book a useful reference to dive into those sections that are of most relevance to you. In my opinion, one of the most useful chapters, “Management Planning and Goal Setting”, should be of particular interest to those involved in or with catchment groups. Overall, this publication is a good tool to have in your toolbox.

As the book is ten years old now, interested readers are most likely to find it through the New Zealand library system. However, I am aware that there are Kelloggers who have copies and you may even find them in second-hand bookstores.

Patrick Aldwell
September, 2023

Independent Trustee – New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (NZ Rural Leaders) is seeking an Independent Trustee to join its board. This is an exciting opportunity for a food and fibre leader with strategic and governance experience, strong industry networks and a passion for leadership development, to build on their governance journey.

Background summary

NZ Rural Leaders is a registered charitable trust. The Trust’s purpose is to: Establish and operate leadership programmes for New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, advance education in agricultural practices, and contribute to the general welfare of New Zealand’s rural population.

In pursuit of this NZ Rural Leaders aim to grow world-class leaders for our country.

Board meetings

The Board meet up to 8 times per year with some meetings coinciding with longer events. 4 “in person” meetings are typically held in Christchurch or Wellington, with video conferencing utilised for the balance.

Meetings are scheduled where possible around Kellogg and Nuffield programme events to enable Board members to be introduced to each cohort of both programmes and contribute as per above role. Meeting dates for the year are set at least 6 months in advance.

Please note, this is an unpaid, voluntary role. Air Travel, accommodation, and meals are covered (where required).

The core competencies sought in all Board members are;

Strategic focus and experience.
Previous governance experience.
Innovative thinking and entrepreneurship.
Professional expertise in one or more of the following areas: food and fibre sector, adult education or training, business skills, marketing.
Passion for and understanding of leadership development.
Strong industry networks and connections.

Applicants with one or more of the following attributes are particularly sought;

Strong financial skills and understanding.
Affinity for leadership in Māori and Pacifica agri-business.
Horticultural, forestry or aquaculture industry knowledge.
Regional capacity building.
Partner engagement including local, regional, and central government.
Global perspective.

You can find more information on the Terms of Reference here.

Applications close on 15 November 2023.

CV and cover letter should be sent to Lisa Rogers, Rural Leaders’ Chief Executive at lisarogers@ruralleaders.co.nz

For any questions, please feel free to contact Chairperson, Kate Scott at kate@landpro.co.nz

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Executive summary

With growing demands for sustainability in the food and fibre industries, there is mounting pressure from consumers to produce environmentally responsible products. This report addresses the necessity for the New Zealand dairy industry to prioritise climate change concerns and associated greenhouse gas emissions to secure a sustainable future.

The report aims to understand the motivations behind the adoption of new innovations by dairy farmers and learn how to accelerate the uptake of practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby ensuring the long-term sustainability of farming in New Zealand. Additionally, the report aims to create a resource to inform government, industry bodies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) about alternative approaches to motivate farmers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions positively.

The research question guiding this study is: How can we motivate New Zealand dairy farmers to embrace practices that effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

A literature review was conducted to gain insights into the significance of greenhouse gases in the New Zealand dairy industry. The review examined the impact and relevance of greenhouse gases within the New Zealand dairy industry. 23 semi-structured interviews were used to uncover the motivations that would drive New Zealand dairy farmers to adopt practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions on their farm. Responses were categorised into the following high-level themes:

• WHY (belief): Explored the aspects of purpose, motivation, social structure, and trust.
• HOW (actions): Focused on leadership, communication, and pathway implementation.
• WHAT (result): Addressed knowledge acquisition, problem definition, and barriers encountered.

Information gathered from the literature review and semi-structured interviews, highlighted the importance of understanding the “WHY” behind motivations and the utilisation of effective communication strategies (“HOW”) to drive the adoption of sustainable practices within the New Zealand dairy industry.

Recommendations:

Leverage the intrinsic values and purpose that farmers already possess. When developing GHG related communications to dairy farmers, industry partners should inspire farmers towards transformative change by building on farmers’ existing intrinsic values and encouraging mastery to drive toward continuous improvement.
Emphasise the importance of the economic benefits and social licence to operate. Milk processors need to communicate to farmers and rural professionals the potential advantages of being market leaders in greenhouse gas emissions reduction and the consequences of falling behind.
Create a single location for information regarding greenhouse gas related resources. Ministry for the Environment should provide and manage a resource location (i.e. website) for reputable GHG related literature, policies, regulations and general resources related to climate change specifically for the dairy sector.
Provide greenhouse gas emissions resources for veterinarians. New Zealand Veterinarian Association (NZVA) should curate a list of reputable sources of information regarding greenhouse gas emissions regulations, mitigation strategies, and the economic advantages of adopting practices that reduce GHG emissions. As a trusted source of information, veterinarians can disseminate this information to dairy farmers.

Download and read the full report here:

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Executive summary

Leverage the intrinsic values and purpose that farmers already possess. When developing GHG related communications to dairy farmers, industry partners should inspire farmers towards transformative change by building on farmers’ existing intrinsic values and encouraging mastery to drive toward continuous improvement.
Emphasise the importance of the economic benefits and social licence to operate. Milk processors need to communicate to farmers and rural professionals the potential advantages of being market leaders in greenhouse gas emissions reduction and the consequences of falling behind.
Create a single location for information regarding greenhouse gas related resources. Ministry for the Environment should provide and manage a resource location (i.e. website) for reputable GHG related literature, policies, regulations and general resources related to climate change specifically for the dairy sector.
Provide greenhouse gas emissions resources for veterinarians. New Zealand Veterinarian Association (NZVA) should curate a list of reputable sources of information regarding greenhouse gas emissions regulations, mitigation strategies, and the economic advantages of adopting practices that reduce GHG emissions. As a trusted source of information, veterinarians can disseminate this information to dairy farmers.

Download and read the full report here:

Staging post two

Staging post

Executive summary

Leverage the intrinsic values and purpose that farmers already possess. When developing GHG related communications to dairy farmers, industry partners should inspire farmers towards transformative change by building on farmers’ existing intrinsic values and encouraging mastery to drive toward continuous improvement.
Emphasise the importance of the economic benefits and social licence to operate. Milk processors need to communicate to farmers and rural professionals the potential advantages of being market leaders in greenhouse gas emissions reduction and the consequences of falling behind.
Create a single location for information regarding greenhouse gas related resources. Ministry for the Environment should provide and manage a resource location (i.e. website) for reputable GHG related literature, policies, regulations and general resources related to climate change specifically for the dairy sector.
Provide greenhouse gas emissions resources for veterinarians. New Zealand Veterinarian Association (NZVA) should curate a list of reputable sources of information regarding greenhouse gas emissions regulations, mitigation strategies, and the economic advantages of adopting practices that reduce GHG emissions. As a trusted source of information, veterinarians can disseminate this information to dairy farmers.

Download and read the full report here:

Staging post

The search for 2024’s Nuffielders is nearly over.

The magnitude of the decision to apply, to commit to a year or more of study, travel, and growth is significant. Most applicants are on farms, working in agribusiness – sometimes both. They are busy people, even without a Nuffield Scholarship.

In the search for 2024’s Nuffield Scholars Rural Leaders received approximately 30 applications. Here’s an approximate breakdown of this latest applicant group.

The search for the next Nuffield Scholars: the path to receiving an application.

Here’s a brief summary of what is involved in the search for our Nuffield Scholars.

Our Nuffield alumni critical in helping prospective scholarship applicants get to grips with the process of applying and the Nuffield Programme itself. Alumni are also active in referring those in the sector they feel would benefit personally and professionally from a Scholarship. Rural Leaders follow referrals up with personal emails and phone calls.

Alongside the referral activity, Rural Leaders run a modest, traditional paid media campaign, both paid and unpaid social media, as well as some digital placements. All activity here asks for registrations of interest. This activity is rounded out with help from partners and networks.

The registrations of interest build over time and these are nurtured with a 3-4 month email campaign featuring podcasts, testimonials, links to articles and details on the Scholarship.

It’s a rewarding experience for all involved. To see the first indications of interest develop into an application. Some have applied before, some are not well known to us, and some may have had Nuffield on their minds for many years.

The applicant demographic profiles shift and change over time, while such leadership traits as: pragmatism, passion, courage, and self-awareness remain constant.

In early November we’ll be in a position share who our 2024 Scholars are. For now, we’d like to thank all the incredible, dedicated people who applied. We know it was a decision that likely involved partners, family, work colleagues and friends.

The final submitting of an application is just the start of the story. It’s also the end of this one.

Inspiring value chain change – book your place on 2023’s Value Chain Innovation Programme.

The Value Chain Innovation Programme is ideal for those looking to give their strategic and entrepreneurial mindsets a boost.

Want to start a new business on-farm, lead value chain transformation, or start an entirely new value chain on, say, cherries? Or simply bolstering our value chain and farming and food production systems knowledge, then the Value Chain Programme offers high alignment to those.

Since 2020 Nuffield Scholars have had the opportunity to participate in this unique value chain immersion, whether that was 2021’s ‘World Tour of New Zealand’ pilot programme, or the first Value Chain Innovation Programme, held last year.

Fellow participants will be a mix of mid to senior level leaders, with some looking to develop new businesses.

2022’s cohort found the Programme inspiring and informative. Here are comments from Allan Richardson and Satwant Singh, 2022 Value Chain participants.

The Value Chain Innovation Programme was an action-packed week with highly motivated people from every industry in the sector. We saw the leading adopters of value chain innovation, they told us their pathways to success, often with one-on-one contact.

Just as important has been the new network of industry leaders that I travelled with, and now keep in contact with. Allan Richardson

And from Satwant Singh,

The Programme was a great opportunity to connect and re-energise with likeminded industry leaders and learn more about our own backyard. We can sometimes get narrow minded to our own industry (speaking for myself as dairy).

This programme showcased multiple successful NZ value chains first hand from farmer to market, providing some great insights and learnings.

The greatest value I took from the Programme though, was the people who all still keep in touch regularly.

This one-week immersion tour runs from 12-18 November (Auckland to Napier) and focuses on North Island based dairy, red meat, apple, and kiwifruit value chains.

Facilitators Prof. Hamish Gow and Phil Morrison bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and approachability to the Programme. They enjoy debate, discussion and the exploration of ideas. There’ll be plenty of that on the coach (aka the Think-tanker) in-between panel discussions, operation visits, and in conversations with business leaders and owners.

You can read both facilitators’ bios by clicking below. You’ll also find an application form below – just get it to us before midnight Sunday.

If you are interested in joining mid November’s fast-filling tour, just reach out to Matt Hampton at matthampton@ruralleaders.co.nz

Julian Reti Kaukau – Bridging the connection between our people and the whenua.

In this podcast, Julian Reti Kaukau, 2021 Kellogg Scholar, talks with Farmers Weekly’s Managing Editor, Bryan Gibson, about his Kellogg research and to share insights from his work with MPI Māori Agribusiness.

In reference to his research, Julian reflects on the historic prowess of the Waikato Maniapoto Māori in the agriculture and horticulture sectors and suggests that by harnessing the wisdom of the ancestors who once nurtured the Whenua, today’s Kaitiaki can make profound and impactful economic and sustainable decisions for the Whenua and their futures.

Julian believes that Māori who have been disconnected from their homelands can better reconnect with their Tupuna Whenua, fostering a profound sense of Tūrangawaewae, enhancing the Mana of the Whānau and Hapū, honoring important Tīkanga such as Manaakitanga and be given the ability to uphold the crucial role of Ahi Kaa.

Julian completed his Kellogg research on how can Waikato Maniapoto Māori landowners increase productivity whilst improving the environmental protection of their land?

Listen to Julian’s podcast here or read the transcript below. As always, the transcript has been modified for readability.

Bryan Gibson – Managing Editor of Farmer’s Weekly.

Kia ora, you’ve joined the Ideas That Grow podcast, brought to you by Rural Leaders. In this series, we’ll be drawing on insights from innovative rural leaders to help plant ideas that grow so our regions can flourish. Ideas that Grow is presented in association with Farmers Weekly.

My name is Bryan Gibson, Managing Editor of Farmers Weekly and this week I am talking to Julian Reti Kaukau, a 2021 Kellogg Scholar and currently the Facilitator Programme Lead for Māori Agribusiness at the Ministry for Primary Industries. How’re doing Julian?

Julian Reti Kaukau – 2021 Kellogg Scholar, Facilitator Programme Lead for Māori Agribusiness at MPI.

I’m doing great. Thank you, Bryan.

BG: Cool. Where are you calling in from today?

JR: I’m calling in from Rotorua in the sunny Bay of Plenty.

BG: Now, you were a 2021 Kellogg Scholar. How did you find that experience?

Completing Kellogg and settling on a research topic.

JR: The Programme was geared up to bring out the most in terms of that academic space within myself, that may have been neglected since I left high school. In all reality, having gone into the workforce pretty much as I turned 18, having the opportunity to go into the academic space was quite onerous.

I felt the Kellogg Programme helped guide and shape me. Patrick Aldwell was instrumental in assisting me to basically learn how to write, how to write well, and get my writing out there in the public space so that I could share what was on my heart and mind. In summary, I think that’s what the Kellogg Programme helped to do – is to really get those thoughts out.

I think those thoughts were really great ideas – at least to me – the Programme enabled me to get these out there in a more public domain and allow others to provide some feedback, thoughts and alignments on some of those ideas. I think that’s what Kellogg really did for me.

BG: Now, what did you focus your studies on? What was your report about?

JR: Initially, it was a bit of going around in circles trying to flesh out your topic. I actually started wanting to do a report around Māori Agri-business. But as you get further into the Programme, you realise you might have to go a little bit deeper, more specific and compartmentalise your particular subject because Māori Agri-business is quite broad in general.

I specifically chose to focus on the area that I whakapapa to, or have genealogical ties to, which is the Waikato and Maniapoto area, namely the King Country.

Embracing history for an informed future as Kaitiaki of the whenua.

JR: My topic was around what’s happened over the last 150 years with having a thriving agricultural primary sector within the Waikato, Maniapoto. Then leading into the 1860s period with the land wars and then the following land confiscations of almost 1.2 million acres of land being confiscated between 1860 and 1865, and a further 1 million acres being confiscated through various legislative policies between 1870 and 1970.

I think what really made me want to focus in on my own people, my own backyard, if you want to call it, is that we were once a powerhouse in agriculture. Our people were quite fast and quick to pick up the knowledge around agriculture, and I always felt that the future for our people is within the land.

So in order for us to be good stewards or kaitiaki of the whenua moving forward, we have to know a thing or two about how to look after the land. Whether that be in primary production or in an environmental capacity. That’s why I chose to go deep on around how our people could embrace the history that we once had, take those learnings and knowledge of our elders, right through the pre 1860 period, the post 1860 period up to about 1970, and having 1970 till today.

Then really look at the leadership that we had within our hapu and our iwi and our whana and take learnings out on how we could maintain our mana, maintain our footprint, our foundations of our land. For me, I believe that’s through making the land sustainably economical, whether it be a dairy, sheep and beef, forest, plantation, horticultural enterprise, whatever. But doing it right, doing it properly, pretty much, Bryan.

BG: There seems to be a movement to obviously the sustainability movement in farming is finally, I guess, getting momentum. That links beautifully to some of the things you’ve been talking about in terms of kaitiakiakitanga, and manaaki whenua. Is that something you found in your studies?

Kaitiakitanga and the sustainabilty movement.

JR: I wouldn’t say that I found it in my studies. It’s probably a concept that I’ve always grown up with. I’ve seen it enacted or lived out by my grandmother, my grandfather, out there on their quarter acre with the most beautiful garden, the māra, that you would ever see, feeding the masses.

Then as I got older and went to visit the cousins in the rural areas and seeing them out on the land and seeing how they connect and relate to our whenua, be it partaking in a mahinga kai, which is the collection of watercress, pūha, and eels. Or collecting kai moana, seafood, and just really acknowledging that the sustenance of all human life and animal life comes from Mother Earth.

There’s a reciprocity philosophy that co-joins guardianship of the land where we acknowledge that our life comes from the land. Therefore, we must do what we can to ensure that that life is going to be enjoyed by our children and our grandchildren, but at the same time, they create a life of some type of bountiful sustenance while we’re here on Earth.

In terms of the kaitiakitanga, I know there’s a huge movement towards sustainability that’s probably more in light of the impacts the rapid industrialisation of the primary sector has had. Now we’re now starting to see those impacts visibly, be it with nutrient-dense rivers or waterways or underground aquifers being depleted, and in the erosion of our soils.

It usually just comes hand-in-hand when you’re seeing those types of impacts, whether you’re Māori or non-Māori. You feel a deep sense to try and protect and restore that so that your children and your grandchildren can enjoy the same economic sustainability that you currently or once enjoyed yourself.

So in terms of kaitiakitanga, it’s wrapped around those points I’ve just mentioned Bryan, and more. And when I say more, so for Māori, it comes to whakapapa, which is the connection that you have through your ancestors to particular land and the efforts that your ancestors put into their land to maintain it for the future generations – to have a living of it.

There’s a dual concept of sustainability, but also protecting what was set out by your forefathers and mothers and making sure that’s passed down to the next generation. There’s probably a lot in there.

BG: Yes. And you’re still involved in some projects in that region, aren’t you? You were working for a Haukinga mai ki te whenua. Can you tell me a little bit about that?

Reconnecting our people with the whenua.

JR: Yeah, when you work in the Māori space, if you don’t have a proper employment contract, then you’re pretty much a volunteer. I’m volunteering on a number of trusts and boards.

Probably the one that’s the closest to my heart is Hokianga mai ki te whenua, which is a project initiated by my whanau to bring relations brought up in urban settings, in cities, or even overseas, like Australia, and connect them back to their foundational roots.

It gives them a sense of where their ancestors once dwelled and lived, and a sense of their own belonging and where they come from. Basically, just to answer the question, who am I?

Then it’s a journey. We have multiple engagements, which we call wānanga, which can be also called workshops, over a period of years. Then it’s building on each wānanga. One could be around, where do we get this land from? How did we come to be where we are today? Currently, 95% of our people live outside of our land-based areas. How do we bring our people back?

To do that, you need to have some type of economic base. All we have is land. What can we do with the land we have to ensure we can bring at least some of our people back home so that the mana, the mana whenua of our whenua is upheld and our fires, or what we call ahi kā, continue to burn.

BG: Also in your day job, you work in the Māori Agribusiness section of MPI? Is that right? What does that involve?

JR: It involves a number of jobs, mainly listening, first and foremost. Listening to the many pātai and ideas of our people. Being in a special place where we stand as conduits between Crown funds, the Crown support, and the aspirations of our people.

Mahi in Māori Agribusiness.

What I have found to date, depending on which groups that I’m working with, is that a lot of our people don’t have a strong understanding on how to seek support to assist them with their land aspirations. Whether this be to potentially take over a long-term lease of their land leased out to the local neighbour for the last 60, 70 years. Yes, I’ve seen a few of those. What do I do with this land now?

A good example here would be to be able to get some expert advice, some sound feedback on what to do with their land. Usually, it requires a person of knowledge and experience on certain areas, such as land use options, which requires a bit of money to pay someone to get that done.

Now, whanau that have been in those situations, where they’ve had no money coming into a land block, have the opportunity to work with Māori Agribusiness, to work with the experts that we currently have employed within our team, and also the networks that we have outside of MPI, to assist them in making sound decisions for the future of their land. That’s just one small aspect.

We cover a number of areas within the directorate of Māori Agribusinesses, but the main overall objective is to assist our people with their economic, sustainable aspirations. That is, producing healthy produce from their whenua that’s going to sustain their people, their whanau, their communities, and ultimately, New Zealand as a whole.

BG: That’s excellent. Māori agribusiness in New Zealand is currently a powerhouse, but as you mentioned, with the history that we share in New Zealand, it’s also in some ways just still getting started. What are your hopes for the future on how Māori agribusiness can thrive?

Future hopes for Māori Agribusiness.

JR: It’s a good question, Bryan. I’ve been involved in Māori agribusiness for most of my working life, almost 22 years. What I’ve seen over this time is probably the lack of capability and capacity within our own people, Māori, to be able to work within their iwi organisations. Especially in relation to the primary sector assets they may hold and to really drive from the front.

That could either be a member in the executive team or governance team, being able to make tupuna or mukapuna decisions, as future decisions that impact on our children.

The reason why I highlight that is because a lot of our organisations, they are currently hiring the best people to run our primary sector assets. The best people may not necessarily be Māori people. I find that some of their thinking that comes from running a multimillion-dollar enterprise is largely economic thinking, not necessarily Māori thinking.

That’s why I have mentioned that the lack of capacity and capability within our people being an area of focus I would like to see be invested in and to continually improve on. This, so we have more of our people, their whakapapa to the whenua, making decisions about the future of their whenua.

BG: That’s great. Just circling back to the Kellogg Programme, is it something you’d recommend for others?

The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme and digging deeper.

JR: Most definitely. It was a challenge and something that I had a peripheral understanding of. I’ve seen others go through the Programme over the years, but it was something I thought that was maybe a little bit out of my league. That’s mainly because I don’t have a strong academic background.

I pretty much left school 16, 17, and went straight into the labour workforce. That’s where I felt was my place and I really loved it there. But over the years, you come across great mentors and you build great relationships, and you start to realise that you could probably do more than you think you can.

Joining the Kellogg Programme for me was a bit of an out-of-the-box experience, putting myself out there. I’m quite introverted by nature, so having to promote myself amongst others that were also vying to be a part of the Kellogg Programme at the time I joined. It was out of my comfort zone. But then being a part of the process, being part of the cohort, you meet some great people, some awesome people that are up and coming and doing big things in the primary sector today.

You make some great mates; you make some great friends. But also, the Programme is well thought out in terms of the people that are leading it. Scott Champion comes to mind. The way that he facilitated and drove the cohort from start to finish, keeping us all on track, keeping us all to the tasks, that helps you dig deeper and brings out the best in you. If I can encourage anyone that’s thinking about wanting to do the Kellogg Programme, do it if you have the opportunity to do so.

For more information on Rural Leaders, the Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarships, the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, or the Value Chain Innovation Programme, please visit ruralleaders.co.nz

Kate Scott: Front footing the fast-moving regulatory environment.

Merchants of doubt – Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway (2012)

Merchants of Doubt goes hand in hand with last month’s book “A Matter of Fact” by Jess Berentson Shaw. However, Oreskes and Conway explore a more sinister long-term, well-planned, and well-funded approach to misinforming and ultimately disinforming the public on matters of global concern such as the health effects of smoking, the impacts of fossil fuels and the broader climate change debates.

Among other things, the authors tell the story of respected scientists who are paid to set up a laboratory to conduct research in their areas of expertise, develop a positive profile for the new laboratory and then later, start producing research reports whose presentation contradicts (spuriously) the wider scientific view on topics of public concern – thus creating doubt.

Consider the impacts of the doubts created around COVID-19, dietary promotions, and functional foods. This widely cited book demonstrates the funding, power, and techniques, used in creating doubt to achieve the contradictions of selected large longstanding industries.

Patrick Aldwell
August, 2023

Nuffield Scholars on their GFP’s.

In this Alumni in the Spotlight we share a couple of James Allen’s LinkedIn posts of some pre-GFP travel. (#NuffieldNZ). Images below show James’ visits, including the University of Illinois.

We follow this up with a summary of the Global Focus Programme (GFP) travel so far completed, or to be completed soon by Scholars from the last few cohorts.

James Allen, LinkedIn Post 1 – 2 weeks ago.

First part of the Nuffield journey underway. Thanks to all the wonderful people at Purdue, Illinois and Missouri Universities for their willingness to share ideas, as we all consider how technology is changing the way we farm, and the way we use information. Thanks to the Nuffield sponsors for making it possible!

James Allen, LinkedIn Post 2 – 6 days ago.

Finishing up the US leg of my Nuffield journey. Thank you to the wonderful people at Purdue University, University of Illinois, Missouri University, Kansas State University, Bayer, Climate Fieldview, and Grasslands (and many more!) for your hospitality and willingness to share ideas.

My Nuffield study is examining how the role of the agricultural advisor/extension agent will evolve as technology is changing the way we farm and the way we use information.

I have gained good insights about how AI is being used to improve site specific recommendations for farmers that can both improve financial performance and reduce environmental impacts at the same time. I believe AI has the potential to help us manage the ever increasing amount of data farmers are collecting, to make better decisions.

Now heading to the UK to talk to the best and brightest!

Summary of the Global Focus Programme (GFP) travel by recent Scholars.

2023 Scholars

James Allen (2nd from left) – is currently traveling independently (USA mostly) as detailed in the posts above. James will also join a GFP traveling to: Kenya, Norway, UK, Spain, Italy.

Kerry Worsnop (2nd from right) – is currently doing independent travel and will join a GFP traveling to: Argentina, Ireland, France, Poland.

Kylie Leonard (Left) – March/April 2023 did the Nuffield Triennial, then went to Brazil, USA, UK, Belgium. Kylie also went on independent travel as well.

Matt Iremonger (Right) – March/April 2023 did the Nuffield Triennial, then went to Brazil, USA, UK, Belgium. Like Kylie, Matt also undertook independent travel.

2022 Scholars

Anthony Taueki (Centre) – March/April 2023 did the Nuffield Triennial tour, then went to Brazil, USA, UK, Belgium.

Parmindar Singh (Left) – October/November 2023, will be in Argentina, Ireland, France, Poland.

Lucie Douma (Right) – May/June 2023 was in Singapore, Qatar, Germany, USA.

2021 Scholars

Lynsey Stratford (Left) – August 2022 was in Japan, Belgium, Ireland, USA.

Dan Eb (Centre) – May/June 2023 was in Singapore, Japan, Israel, Netherlands, USA.

David Eade (2nd from right) – May/June 2023 was in Singapore, Japan, Israel, Netherlands, USA.

Ben Anderson (2nd from left) – March/April 2023 was in Brazil, USA, UK, Belgium.

John Foley (Right) – August 2022 was in Japan, Belgium, Ireland, USA.

The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme has been developing leaders for the rural and agri-food sector since 1979.

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Nature and Farming – Sustaining biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. By David Norton and Nick Reid (2013).

Executive summary

Executive summary

Executive summary

Completing Kellogg and settling on a research topic.

Embracing history for an informed future as Kaitiaki of the whenua.

Kaitiakitanga and the sustainabilty movement.

Reconnecting our people with the whenua.

Mahi in Māori Agribusiness.

Future hopes for Māori Agribusiness.

The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme and digging deeper.

Merchants of doubt – Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway (2012)

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