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...

General

Kerry Worsnop, Matt Iremonger, James Allen and Kylie Leonard – 2023 Nuffield reports.

(Image. Left to right: Kerry Worsnop, Kylie Leonard, Matt Iremonger, James Allen). 

After over a year of immersion within the global Nuffield network; whether that be on the key programme milestones such as the GFP, CSC or on research travel, the 2023 Nuffield Scholars’ have completed their reports.

A brilliant group of people, a pleasure to spend time with and all great at what they do. Check out the report titles/summaries below or take a closer look at their reports here.

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Here are the report summaries.

Kerry Worsnop – The mountain we need to climb. Designing agricultural policy for a future in farming.

Kerry’s report addresses those in leadership, agricultural policy makers and others with an interest in how we deliver better outcomes for those on the land and for the land itself. Kerry’s report hopes to bring into focus what we need to comprehend about our operating environment if we are to navigate agricultural policy well.

Go to Kerry’s report.

James Allen – Redefining excellence in agribusiness advisory. The role of the rural advisor in the modern world.

James’ report explores the challenges faced by the rural advisor in a farming world striving to feed an ever-increasing population whilst also reducing its environmental footprint. This report gives guidance as to how the rural advisor might continue to add value to farmers in this fast-changing context.

Go to James’ report.

Matt Iremonger – What’s the beef? Opportunities for beef on dairy in New Zealand.

Over 1.8 million non-replacement calves are slaughtered annually at 4-7 days.
Matt’s report looks at the opportunity for beef on dairy to shift the value chain from dysfunctional to functional.

Go to Matt’s report.

Kylie Leonard – Boots on the ground are part of the solution. Transitioning agriculture towards sustainability together.

A reduction of Greenhouse gases is being demanded through our value chains. Kylie’s report focuses on the need for farmers to be at the table of this change (not on the menu) in order to steer agriculture toward greater sustainability outcomes.

Go to Kylie’s report.

The NZRLT board welcome Jack Cocks, Associate Trustee.

The NZRLT Board and Leadership Team are pleased to announce Jack Cocks’ appointment as Associate Trustee.

Jack replaces Olivia Weatherburn. As the role is for one year, Olivia now steps aside after her exemplary service on the board. Olivia’s positivity, energy and contribution has been valuable – and valued.

Jack now joins Kate Scott, Chair, and Rebecca Hyde, Murray King, Steve Wilkins, Trustees, and Hamish Fraser and Paul Crick, Independent Trustees.  

“The board is excited to welcome Jack to the role of Associate Trustee. Jack brings a diverse background in farming, consultancy and the importance of personal resilience to his passion for developing others”, says Kate Scott, Board Chair.

Jack is an Otago high country farmer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in farm management from Lincoln University and a masters in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois. Prior to farming Jack was a Dunedin based agribusiness consultant.

Jack suffered a life-threatening brain aneurysm eleven years ago which saw him spend eight months in hospital over six years and undergo fifteen major surgeries. Following this experience he has studied and researched how ‘Resilient Farmers Thrive in the Face of Adversity’ through the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme.

He has been asked to do many talks to corporate, farmer, and student groups on his ideas around how farmers can be more resilient to thrive in the face of adversity.

“It’s a real privilege to join the NZRLT board for the next twelve months. I’m looking forward to the opportunity. I’m sure I will learn a huge amount, and I hope to add value to the organisation”, says Jack Cocks.

The Associate Trustee role offers valuable governance in practice experience to those appointed, while providing the opportunity to contribute to the Board’s objectives and to the wider sector in a meaningful way. 

Jack’s first official NZRLT board meeting will be 3 July. 

John Daniell Memorial Trust – supporting Kellogg.

The John Daniell Memorial Trust has kindly agreed to support two Kellogg Rural Leadership course participants annually.

This support comes in the form of two scholarships per year of $5,000.

Successful applicants will be expected to present to the trust either in person or online within three months of the conclusion of their Kellogg research project.

Learn more about the Trust and applicant eligibility below.

Aims of the trust.
To perpetuate John Daniell’s enthusiasm, love and philosophy in all aspects of pastoral farming.

To further promote and assist in achieving his long-held objective of increasing research effort into hill country and pastoral farming.

To recognise John Daniell’s significant contribution to the NZ farming industry.

Objectives of the trust.
To encourage or promote any idea, activity or project that is seen as capable of furthering understanding, knowledge or appreciation of any aspect of farming practice.

To encourage places of learning, person, organisations or government departments to participate in research and demonstration associated with specific farming projects.

To provide and/or assist in the provision of scholarships, bursaries, lectures, seminars, trophies and other benefits of incentives.

To promote research and demonstration of means of achieving the maximum volume and value of products consistent with the maintenance of a high standard of animal and pasture management.

To promote research and the demonstration of management systems to enable pastoral farmers to achieve optimum production and profitability on an ongoing basis.

The advancement of education in the farming of pastoral property.

To invest in any farming resource which will enable the research and demonstration of modern farming practices.

Eligibility.
1). Scholarships will be awarded to those who are focused on practical pastoral livestock farming or leadership in the pastoral livestock farming

2). Preference is be given to participants from the Wairarapa region in the first instance

3). Applicants must be NZ citizens

4). Applications to be lodged with the intended start date of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme

5). The scholarship will be paid by the trust direct into the applicants nominated bank account at the commencement of the course.

Applications.
Applications for a John Daniell Memorial Trust Scholarship to attend Kellogg Programme One 2026, will need to be submitted to Delwyn Pringle at the email below by Sunday 5 October 2025.

NB. You will need to submit your Kellogg application by this date as well. Please indicate on your application that you are applying for this scholarship.

To start the process please email Trust Secretary Delwyn Pringle for an application form at delwyn@bakerag.co.nz

The Rural Reader: Beyond Betrayal. Review by Dr Patrick Aldwell.

In this Rural Reader, Dr Patrick Aldwell reviews Beyond Betrayal – Trouble in the promised land. Restoring the mission to Māori.

In this era when many of us have been trying to understand New Zealand’s early British settlement history better, Newman discusses an important collection of people, events and misinterpretations that have led to the ongoing complexities behind this history.

Each major topic has its own chapter or chapters, making this book an excellent reference text that helps us understand the continuing frustration of the different parties. There are in my view, three threads that run through the book: land, trust and a cry for unity. 

Many other authors and researchers have discussed these topics and continue to do so – and will probably have a different view. It is important as leaders that you read about these themes as we enter a period of continuing debate on The Treaty/Te Tiriti, and when Aotearoa New Zealand’s historical context has become a more recognised part of our education system. 

New Energy – The 2024 Nuffield Biennial Conference.

New Energy, the 2024 Nuffield Biennial Conference.

There’s just a little over a month to go until the Nuffield Biennial begins.

Open to Nuffield alumni and their partners, this key event runs 23-26 May.

The Nuffield Biennial features a stellar line up of new technology and innovation, networking opportunities and the best produce from the Taranaki region. Take a look at the planned schedule below.

Contact Annie Chant at Anniechant@ruralleaders.co.nz for any queries.

Or book here now.

The Conference schedule at a glance.

Arrival Day (Thursday 23 May)
2022 Scholar presentations and panel.
Drinks and networking dinner.

Day Two (Friday 24 May)
2020, 2021 Scholar presentations and panel.

Field Trips
Option One, Energy supply chain
Ross Dingle (CEO) Port of Taranaki site visit, Q&A energy sector leaders.

Option Two, Branching out
Michelle Bauer, Venture Taranaki.
Medicinal and Botanic growth followed by a visit to the Marae for a presentation with Meat to You and Michelle Bauer on Taranaki’s regional diversity.

Option Three
Taranaki Gardens visit with Ainsley Luscombe.

Later – Gin tasting with Juno Gin and buffet dinner.

Day Three (Saturday 25 May)
2023 Scholar presentations and panel.

Field Trips
Option One, Emissions and Efficiency
Rotary Cow Shed – Shane Arden.
Solar on Farm – Philip Luscombe, Matt and Roger.
Nestle Net Zero pilot dairy farm – Dairy Trust Taranaki.

Option Two, Got Milk
PKW Sheep Milk –Spring Sheep Milk.
Tawhiti Museum.

Later – Egmont Honey talk, seated dinner and band ‘Avalanche’.

Nuffield Biennial details at a glance.

Where: The Devon Hotel, New Plymouth (we have held some rooms here, though these are booking out).

When: Starts 3pm, Thursday, 23 May. 

Register below by Wednesday, 1 May. 

Fee: Registration is $475 + GST. Registration fee includes most catering, field trips and the Conference.

Alumni in the Spotlight – Jenna Smith and Rachel Baker in Brazil.

2024 Nuffield Scholars from across the globe headed to Campo Grande in Brazil for the Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC). Our own Scholars: Rachel Baker, Jenna Smith, Carlos Bagrie and Peter Templeton joined Rural Leaders CEO, Lisa Rogers and Chair, Kate Scott at the Conference. For many, the Conference kicks off their research travels officially.

To give some idea of the sights seen and insights gained on the nearly month-long time abroad on the CSC and post conference tours, we share a few of Jenna and Rachel’s LinkedIn posts and images. (There’s a couple there from Lisa Rogers as well).

Rachel Baker,
Post 1

Ready…set…fly! I’m heading off with my fellow Nuffield NZ 2024 scholars for the CSC Scholars Conference in Campo Grande, Brazil. Looking forward to connections, learning and new experiences while flying the flag for the NZ food sector.

Jenna Smith,
Post 1

“Everyone wants to go to heaven – but nobody wants to die…”

And herein lies the complexity when having global discussions about decarbonisation – let alone our domestic perspective on our responsibilities.

I’ve had a fascinating start to the Nuffield Contemporary Scholars Conference here in Brazil. Really thought provoking initiatives and conversations about some wicked problems.

Although not perfect – and none of us are – I’ve really enjoyed hearing about Mato Grosso do Suls journey to sustainability, and their ambition to ‘Make it Happen’.

Rachel,
Post 2

My impression of my time in Brazil is of a vast country, of contrasts, and big aspirations for the world stage. A proud patriotic people, of mixed origin and traditions, welcoming and open with visitors.

Policy makers want to bring biodiversity to the forefront of global climate change conversation, believing decarbonisation is a Northern Hemisphere agenda. By law, a % of farmed land has to be retired and planted, from 20% in Mato Grossa du Sol to 80% in the Amazon. Satellite imagery is used for compliance.

Food production is simply mind boggling in scale – they are the world’s 4th largest producer of food and the 3rd largest exporter of food (forecast to be 2nd by FAO). Orange juice, coffee, sugar cane, soya, beef…so much food. Private capital is funding investment which is accelerating growth and opportunity.

Brazil is a country on a growth trajectory well worth following – their scale will create both influence and impact.

Jenna,
Post 2

Visiting Aldeia Brejão and the Terēna people on the Nioaque Indigenous Land, in Mato Grosso do Sul was something I’ll play back over and over again. Their sheer determination to be a part of the solution, even with little influence, was awe-inspiring.

This Indigenous community spoke at length about their part and the importance in bringing together ecosystem diversity.

They also know all too well the impact climate change is having on their way of life. The volatile weather patterns have meant it is increasingly harder for them to live from the land according to traditional methods.

Added to this they are noticing the degradation of their natural resources coming through their settlement.

They’re having the conversations that many of us put in the too hard basket, because they don’t have the luxury of sitting by and waiting for solutions to come to them.

Alumni in spotlight a
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Rachel,
Post 3

An insight into coffee production from my Nuffield travels in Brazil.

🌳Brazil is one of the world’s largest arabica coffee producers, of which ~50% is exported. Check where your coffee beans are sourced, it’s very likely to be from Brazil!

🤝We visited Cocapec, a coffee cooperative in Franca in Sao Paulo state, which receives and processes 1.5m tonnes of green coffee beans from 3,000 members for sale on a trading platform.

🌱Supply is from 100,000 ha of plantation, from 5-10 ha properties to thousands of hectares.

🚚Trucks are emptied by hydraulics, which lift the entire truck!

👩‍🌾The grower keeps ownership and control of their beans through to the point of sale, instructing the Cooperative what and when to sell and an expected price.

☕️Coffee beans are grower currency, they can pay for goods they purchase from Cocapec with coffee.

❄️The sector was impacted heavily by a huge unforeseen frost event in 2021, followed by a prolonged dry period, which killed or damaged trees and reduced yield by 50%. Yields are nearly back to 2020 levels.

🌱Harvest is now predominantly mechanized which reduces costs by 25-30%.

👨‍🌾Farmers are supported by Cocapec agronomists, scientists, laboratory testing, farm supplies as well as government scientists and training opportunities. The Co-op also provides favourable finance options to members for machinery purchases.

💰Coffee has a competitive grower cooperative environment and Cocapec is actively recruiting new members.

Rachel,
Post 4

Sugarcane insights from my recent Nuffield travels in Brazil.

Brazil is the world’s largest producer of sugarcane and the highest ethanol producer from sugarcane (the US is the largest ethanol producer, mainly from corn).

🍬The largest global consumers of sugar are India and China.

⚡️Brazilian ethanol producers want to reshape the future of global energy, providing “profitable and sustainable decarbonisation energy solutions”

🌱 Sugarcane is grown on a 7-8 year cycle, yields ~100 tonnes/ha at maturity (5-6m tall), is deep-rooted so doesn’t usually require irrigation.

☀️ Sugarcane is ~12% sugar, 70% water and 18% bagasse (fibrous pulp), straw and minerals.

⚡️Products of sugarcane processing are sugar, ethanol and clean energy (bioelectricity). The process can operate as a circular economy with 99% of by-products reused e.g. 2nd generation ethanol, fertiliser, compost.

🌽Compared to corn, sugarcane produces twice the yield of ethanol for the same area.

🚜 Sugarcane planting and harvesting has progressed to ultra-precision planting with full automation no tillage (reduced GHG emissions by 43%), dual mechanised harvesting and integrated pest management (85% biological). Fuel for the 500-600hp machinery is still diesel but hydrogen and ethanol injection is being trialled.

🚘 Cars and light vehicles in Brazil are fuel-flexible and can run on ethanol (NZ$1.05/L) or an ethanol/gasoline (NZ$1.64/L) blend. I didn’t see any electric or hybrid vehicles.

🏭 We visited one of Sao Martinho’s four sugarcane mills. SM is a large 49% publicly listed company. At this mill they process 10 million tonnes of sugarcane (from 130,000 ha) from April to November with a truck arriving every 1.8 minutes for 220 days! 50% of the bioelectricity produced is sold to the national grid and all fleet vehicles run on 100% ethanol.

❓️Could Australia be the ethanol energy supplier to the Pacific?

Saves you asking – Kellogg FAQ’s.

The following questions and answers relate to 2024’s Programme Two, however they are likely to be accurate and relevant for some time into the future. 

What is the total time commitment for the Programme?

18 days face to face, 50 days on individual research, all within a six-month span. The recommended time commitment is about 300 hours to complete your individual research report.

Do you have any tricks or tips for completing my application?

Get started sooner. Don’t bury the good stuff. Read it out loud. More tips and tricks are available on our website.

Is there a specific area that I have to study?

Scholars have the freedom to pursue a topic of personal and professional interest. Whatever the topic, you should aim to stretch you knowledge and understanding of it.

Should I have a research topic in mind before I start the Programme?

Yes, that is ideal. Often your topic is in plain sight and is something you’re genuinely interested in. If you do not have an exact topic in mind, arrive with some ideas you might like to discuss further.

What speakers, or industry leaders can I expect to hear from, or meet during the Programme?

We bring a cross-section of industry leaders and experts to the Programme. They’ll present to you, coach you, share stories and network with you. Some of the people you may hear from, or meet, include global leaders in agribusiness, CEO’s, politicians, owners of well-known private businesses in food and fibre, media operators e.g., PR consultants.

You may also hear from Rural Leaders’ Partners, including: Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Zespri, DairyNZ, Rabobank, Farmlands Cooperative, and more.

Can I get University credits for my Kellogg?

Yes, both Lincoln and Massey Universities have accredited Kellogg and are offering credits towards post-graduate degrees. You can opt into a Postgraduate Certificate in Commerce, giving you 60 credits towards the 180 required credits for a Lincoln University taught master’s degree.

You can also elect to use your 60 credits towards a master’s degree at Massey University. Another option is the Recognised Prior Learning (RPL), which can be credited towards a postgraduate qualification.

How long does the report have to be? How many pages?

We get asked this a lot. It’s 10,000 words. That’s roughly 20 pages (at ten point font).

How do I know if I am eligible to do a Kellogg?

The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme is for mid-career professionals either behind or in front of the farm gate. It is for those who are emerging strategic leaders, perhaps transitioning from operational or technical roles to a more generalist leadership role – or intend to at some point in the future.

Do I need to have been to University? Do I need to work on a farm?

No you don’t. To both questions.

How many people are on each programme?

We have an upper limit of approximately 24 Scholars for each programme.

What are the selection criteria?

In any application we like to see a capacity to contribute to the learning process. We select Scholars from a mix of backgrounds and regions, as well as pan-sector representation. This enriches discussions, expands knowledge sharing and the cross-pollination of ideas.

What is the full cost of the Programme?

The fee is $6,995 +GST. The actual delivery of the Programme costs approximately $21,000 per person, but the shortfall is covered by our strategic and programme partners: AGMARDT, FMG, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ, Mackenzie Charitable Foundation, Horticulture NZ, FAR, Farmlands Cooperative, MPI, Rabobank, Zespri, and LIC.

Do I need to organise my own travel?

Yes, you travel the way that’s most convenient. We provide assistance by booking accommodation for the whole group.

Jen Corkran – Trust, truth and how we learn.

Farmers Weekly Managing Editor Bryan Gibson speaks to Jen Corkran, Senior Animal Protein Analyst at Rabobank and a 2023 Kellogg Scholar.

Jen discusses her day job to provide red meat insights to clients and farmers. Jen also reveals what her Kellogg research tells us about trust, truth and the way farmers take on information.

Listen to Jen’s podcast here or read the transcript below.

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.

Bryan Gibson, Managing Editor of Farmers Weekly.
You’re with Ideas That Grow, the Rural Leaders podcast. I’m Farmers Weekly Editor, Bryan Gibson, and with me today is Jen Corkran, a Kellogg Scholar. G’day Jen, how’s it going?

Jen Corkran, 2023 Kellogg Scholar, Senior Animal Protein Analyst at Rabobank.
Hi, Bryan. It’s good here. How are you?

BG: Yeah, pretty good, thanks. To get started, tell us a little bit about your background. Where are you from?

Foundations in rural Hawkes Bay.

JC: I grew up in rural Central Hawkes Bay, in a little town called Waipukarau. My mum was a teacher at a primary school there, Flemington School, so right in the heart of sheep and beef country in Hawkes Bay.

I grew up and went to primary school there and I think from that grew this really in-depth passion for the agriculture industry in New Zealand. Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a farmer. So, I think that background set me up well for that.

BG: Did that follow through to higher education or your first jobs, that sort of thing?

JC: Yeah, it did. After high school, I went to Massey in Palmerston North and studied agricultural science down there for three years, which was good fun. From there, I went farming in mid-Canterbury for a couple of years on a big beef farm. This is early, mid-2000’s, before the dairy boom. There was still a lot of sheep and beef country down that way. Before this farm did end up converting to dairy, it was all flood-irrigated beef, and spent two years down there as stock manager, which was great fun, especially coming straight out of university and not actually growing up on a big farm.

We did have a lifestyle block there in the Hawkes Bay with 70 odd sheep and a few cattle. But this gave me that real, in-depth understanding of farming, and through the seasons, and the longer term understanding of what it takes.

From that, I got inspired to go back to uni to do some post-grad. I did an honors year in Pastoral Science and Sheep and Beef Farm Systems. After that, it was great coming back into that, having spent some time farming as well. Then after few years in the UK I moved back to New Zealand.

Senior Animal Protein Analyst, Rabobank Research Team.

BG: Yeah. And you’re with Rabobank right now. What do you do there?

JC: Yes. I’m the Senior Animal Protein Analyst in the Rabo Research Team. So our job in Rabo Research is pretty much to provide insights and understanding around what’s happening in the markets in that global picture. My area in animal protein is red meat, for New Zealand, so sheep and beef. We cover all the commodities. In the team I sit in, we’ve got dairy in New Zealand, and sheep, beef, and then we’ve got a whole bunch of other Rabo Research analysts who sit out of Sydney and Australia and cover off a whole bunch of other stuff.

So great to be part of a global team as well. There are analysts all around the world for Rabobank. We’ve got real global reach to find out what’s going on in other markets, what’s driving some of the things that we’re seeing down here in New Zealand. We provide that insight to clients and farmers in New Zealand, arming people with good information so they can make the best decisions for their farming businesses.

BG: We enjoy getting your guys insights across our desks here at the Farmers Weekly. They usually turn into good stories. Now, talking today about your Kellogg Scholarship Programme. Tell us a little bit about what you decided to study?

Kellogg Programme research on pastoral farmer learning preferences.

Image: Jen Corkran speaking in Rabobank site at the Wanaka A&P, March 2024. (Rabobank’s Scott Levings in blue looking on).

JC: My research for Kellogg was on farmer learning preferences, pastoral farmers, to be specific. I was with Barenbrug New Zealand for over 10 years before starting with Rabobank. So, when I did Kellogg last year, I was still with Barenbrug. As a Pastoral Seed Company, they really wanted to understand how farmers are learning and getting information; pastoral is our bread and butter here in New Zealand. We turn grass into saleable protein.

How our farmers learning anything to do with harvesting homegrown feed? So, we know that the most profitable farm systems in New Zealand harvest the highest amounts of homegrown feed because it’s the cheapest form of feed, and they turn that into milk or meat. So, I guess Barenberg is a business, and I really was quite passionate about this topic, too, because at the time, I was in a pasture specialist role around helping farmers get the best from their grass and crops. How do they learn? How do they prefer to get information? And from that, what do they do with it, basically?

It was essentially more of a social science topic in terms of adult learning preferences. And some interesting results came out of that. It was a challenging project, but certainly understanding people and what makes them work is part of what we all do every day, too. So, yeah, it was great.

BG: That issue of tech and knowledge transfer through to the boots on the ground in the farming sector is one that has had lots of people scratching their heads over time. What were the key findings? How do farmers like to learn things.

What the Kellogg research revealed.

JC: So, there’s a lot to it. I had to go right back to the start to understand some of what’s already been done in that space. So, a big literature review in terms of what do we already know about how our farmers learn? You can look overseas, but really we’re quite a unique here in New Zealand, and we want to know how we, as more outdoor feed systems, are doing things.

So, yes, a big literature review in terms of what’s already been done. There’s a lot of work that’s been done, but it’s quite complex. But the real interesting findings came with actual farmer interviews. Just talking to farmers all around New Zealand, both in the dry stock, red meat sector, and also dairy, cropping, arable, whatever it might be, to find out how they learn. What we found was these two broad pillars, when it comes to learning, there’s a purely learning aspect, and then there’s a social aspect. They’re both equally as important as each other. And when it comes to learning, there’s information. People need to know what it is that they’re after. They also have to make a decision.

But before all of that, they need to be aware of what the thing might be. So for example, a new type of crop that might suit a certain area of New Zealand, say a summer crop where it’s summer dry, and this thing’s going to provide protein over that time. Before a farmer is even going to think about putting this new crop in, they’re going to be aware that it even exists and then understand how it works. What overlies that is understanding it through information, so whether it’s data or science or trials or your neighbour tried it, to make a decision to whether it will work for them. So that’s understanding their own farm business and seeing if it’s relevant.

Relevance is hugely important. But what overlays basically everything is this social aspect around trust and trusting the information that they’re getting is both true and relevant to them. Also, I guess, having a yarn about it with other people, as farmers in New Zealand, like to do. So this whole networks, trusted networks, trust is really key to farmer learning.

The other big one, I guess, that overlays the learning aspect is relevance to farm system. So, a dairy farmer is not going to necessarily be selling the same pasture and using it in the same way as a sheep farmer who struggles with more dry or harder conditions or in different soil types. They were the key pillars, I suppose. Obviously, in interviews with farmers, it was just so interesting to see all the themes lining up – networks and trust, those two words came up-time and time again.

Building trust takes time.

BG: Obviously, trust is the key. It doesn’t really matter where that trust lies. It could be different for different farmers, say, friends or colleagues or catchment group members, or it could be the seed rep or someone else. As long as there’s that relationship there, is that the thing that drives any evolution?

JC: Yeah, 100 %. What I basically did with the interviews is get a transcript and look for themes – a thematic analysis of themes. Some of the keywords that kept coming up were ‘trust takes time’, and trust doesn’t have to be for a person necessarily. It could be for a brand or a company or a business or a thing. But building trust takes time and has to be something that’s proven. I think a lot of farmers, and it’s something we hear as people in the industry all the time, you can’t just assume that you meet someone and then they’re going to trust what you’ve got to say. You have to earn it. And ‘earning trust’, I think, was one of the key things that kept coming up again and again. A business can become a trusted business within the inc of New Zealand also, and so can individual people.

Often, farmers said, they might have an agronomist who works for X company, and it’s the agronomist that they trust, and they’re going to follow that agronomist wherever they go through their career or their seed rep, or whoever it might be. Or it might be that they trust this particular brand, and they’re going to follow that. It could be whatever, but it has to be earned. I guess, backed up by some positive that they’re seeing. A lot of us work in the same way. We want to trust what we’re doing, and it becomes easier to make a decision if you trust that it is a safe one, I suppose.

BG: Farm owners hold a lot of the purse strings in terms of the wider industry, so they’ve got a lot of people coming down the driveway trying to sell them the newest and best thing. They do have that detector to go, ‘well, is this going to work for me. Or is this just someone trying to sell me something new and unproven or a one-size-fits-all approach?’ They really need to have that filter on, don’t they?

Trust in rural New Zealand.

JC: It was really interesting, because with the Kellogg Programme itself, we do the research project as one part of it. And then the other part of it that’s within the actual course itself in the in-person phases, is learning for all of us on the course. A lot of this was around critical thinking. How do you get to a place of trust, asking the right questions, critically thinking about things so that you are asking the right curious questions to find out if something is true or not.

We live in an age where there’s so much information out there. You type something into a little square on your computer screen, and you can come up with scrolls of information. But what’s actually true and what’s not, and how do we trust it? So, it was really interesting. Some of the stuff we learned about misinformation and disinformation and critical thinking on Kellogg really paralleled a lot with what the farmers were naturally saying and doing.

Some of the most experienced business people are farmers, right? They have to be across so many different things. And so for me, doing a leadership course and seeing it tie in naturally with these amazing farmers around New Zealand was really cool.

They naturally have this ‘right, can I trust you or can I not?’ And a lot of them said, it sounds negative, but they didn’t mean it in a negative way. I’ll always start from a place of distrust trust and then move to trust. It’s not necessarily that you’re going to have trust straight away. So good thing to think about, I guess, for anyone dealing in rural industries in New Zealand.

The Kellogg experience.

BG: Yeah, for sure. How was your experience going through the Kellogg Programme?

JC: It was great, Bryan. You have six months, basically, where you have this tight knit group of anywhere between 18 and 24 people. There was 23 people on our course, cohort 50, we were last year. You get really close to these people. You spend the first 10 days down at Lincoln together all day, every day, learning about leadership and learning about yourself.

You’re on this journey together and so those networks that you make with the people in your cohort, you can’t really put any value on it because it’s golden. Because you’re doing the journey together, you’re in this challenging but stimulating environment. It was really, really great. And that network is for life now with those people.

Outside of the people that you’re doing your Kellogg with, I think for me, it was the leaders that were put in front of us. Seeing the characteristics that they had was really inspiring. They’re optimistic, a lot of them, there’s a lot of humility there. They’re curious, they ask questions, they’re open-minded. These are the ones that stood out to me as the most natural leaders.

They’ve obviously got all of these learnings along the way that have helped them get to this point that seems magical. You can see things in yourself that you maybe already have or that you need to work on because you’re just getting this exposure to these things that you wouldn’t necessarily get in that six month period.

Critical thinking, being curious, asking questions, keeping an open mind. There’s these themes that keep coming up over and over again. You see places for your own growth too. You see places where you’ve had challenging situations and you realise why, perhaps. So, In terms of leadership, there’s a heap of learning. In terms of that bigger picture thinking, where this tiny little export nation sitting in the South Pacific Sea, selling produce to the world, but we are affected globally by a lot of what goes on.

For me, very much in that pastoral science space at the time, it opened my mind up to this bigger picture way of thinking, which was my big learning. I did my Kellogg last year in my mid-30s. A great time to do it because I’d had a bit of life experience, a bit of career experience, but still you realise how much you’ve got to go and do. So, it was really good. Yeah, loved it.

BG: Awesome. And what’s the plan for you? Just still sinking your teeth into global protein markets, that thing?

JC: Yeah, that’s correct. Kellogg did open my mind to other opportunities and started with Rabo at the end of last year. So very much in that getting into the role space, what’s driving global protein consumption. We’re going through a challenging time right now in the red meat sector with meat prices, especially. There’s a number of reasons for that. What is the light at the end of the tunnel? When might we see it? So no, it’s really good, and I certainly, leapt right into that big picture thinking, which is great.

BG: Thanks for listening to Ideas that Grow, a Rural Leaders podcast in partnership with Massey and Lincoln Universities, AGMARDT, and FoodHQ. This podcast was presented by Farmers Weekly. For more information on Rural Leaders, the Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarships, or the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, please visit, ruralleaders.co.nz

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

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Allan Pye, 1982 Nuffield Scholar, passes.

Rural Leaders, The Board of Trustees, and Nuffield New Zealand were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Allan Pye (1982 Nuffield Scholar). We offer our deepest condolences to Allan’s family.

Many will have known, or known of, Allan, who passed away peacefully at Burwood Hospital on Saturday at the age of 83.

Allan’s funeral service is to be held on the farm at 276 Rise Road, Winchester on Friday, March 22, at 2.00pm. Messages to The Pye Family, 251 Rise Road, R D 26, Temuka, 7986.

Allan was affectionately known as ‘The Spud King’ after spending a lifetime building a large potato business on both sides of the Tasman.

Alan was always happiest working on the farm. In a recent Herald interview, he was quoted as saying, “I love sitting on a header. There’s nothing more satisfying than sitting on a header and harvesting 10 to 12 tonne per hectare crop of wheat. It’s better than anything.”

If you would like to leave a message for Allan’s family, you can leave condolences here https://deaths.press.co.nz/nz/obituaries/the-press-nz/name/allan-pye-obituary?id=54652220

 

The Rural Reader: a virtual bookshelf of curated go-to reads. Reviews by Dr Patrick Aldwell.

Dr Patrick Aldwell will be back with a new book review in the next issue. In the meantime, here’s a resource of the nine books he has reviewed so far. Let this be your go-to shelf of sure bets when it comes to good rural reads.

1. Tragedy at Pike River. How and why the 29 men died. Rebecca MacFie (2013)

In his first book review for the Rural Reader, Patrick reviewed Tragedy at Pike River. This book looked at some of the causing factors of the tragedy which led to the deaths of 29 men.

2. The Age of AI and Our Human Future. Henry Kissinger et al.

In his second ‘Rural Reader’, Patrick reviewed The Age of AI and our Human Future.

This book is by an author who is a genuine big-picture thinker. It provides a dispassionate view of current uses and opportunities that new AI tools could provide.

3. Farm – the making of a climate activist. Nicola Harvey (2022).

In this, the third instalment of the Rural Reader, Patrick reviewed Farm – the making of a climate activist. 

The author, it is clear, has strong ideals about farming beef, reducing GHG generation and improving animal welfare. For Patrick it was a story about tenacity, courage, community, and hope in the face of a worthy challenge. A story that reflects what many in New Zealand agriculture are dealing with at present.

4. Mindset – changing the way you think to fulfil your potential. By Dr Carol Dweck.

In the next pithy chapter of the ‘Rural Reader’, Patrick reviewed Mindset – changing the way you think to fulfil your potential. By Dr Carol Dweck.

On this book Patrick wrote, “Occasionally, you come across one of those airport books that is really worth reading. Based on research, the book focuses on two principal mindsets: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset.” Well worth a read if you (like most of us) suffer from the odd bout of imposter syndrome.

5. A Matter of Fact: Talking Truth in a Post Truth World. By Jess Berensten Shaw.

Dr Patrick Aldwell, reads a lot of books. He’s also a believer in the power of lifelong learning. One subject close to his heart is that of mis-information and dis-information.

In this ‘Rural Reader’, Patrick reviewed – A Matter of Fact: Talking Truth in a Post-Truth World. It’s a book that investigates how organisations and individuals generate information to influence public opinion.

The author presents many examples of how information is misused intentionally as well as unintentionally, and the pitting of evidence against beliefs and values.

6. Merchants of Doubt. Naomi Oreskes and Erik M.Conway (2012)

The truly great thing about this virtual book shelf of reviews is that Dr Aldwell has done the gruelling curation yards for you.

In this ‘Rural Reader’, Patrick reviewed Merchants of doubt. It’s a book that builds on the previously mentioned ‘A Matter of Fact’ by exploring a more sinister, well-planned and well-funded approach to disinforming the public on matters of global concern.

7. Nature and Farming – Sustainability Biodiversity in Agricultural Landscapes. David Norton and Nick Reid (2013).

In this ‘Rural Reader’, Patrick took a closer look at Nature and Farming – Sustaining Biodiversity in Agricultural Landscapes. David Norton and Nick Reid (2013).

In his review, Patrick mentions that one of the most useful chapters, “Management Planning and Goal Setting”, should be of particular interest to those involved in or with catchment groups. A great publication to have in your toolbox.

8. Landscapes and geomorphology – A very short introduction. Andrew Goudie and Heather Viles (2010).

Here Patrick reviewed Landscapes and geomorphology – A very short introduction. 

The book is part of a series and is relevant for the Food and Fibre sector at a time of more intense storms and damage to farm infrastructure.

Take a read of Patrick’s review here.

9. The Earth Transformed – An Untold History. Peter Frankopan (2023)

The Earth Transformed – An Untold History  by Peter Frankopan, is an amazing story that pulls credible material from Frankopan’s vast larder to provide an easy-to-read context that helps explain the situation we are in on planet Earth.

Hey, take a read of Patrick’s pithy review here.