May 2022
Welcome to the May issue of the Rural Leader.
We’re hosting the first Alumni event in a while. It’s an opportunity for Bay of Plenty Alumni to connect with others in the region and is to be held at Zespri in Mount Maunganui on 13 July.
Still with events, partners FMG, Farmlands and Beef+LambNZ along with others, are launching a two-night Farmstrong Comedy Show Lumsden 10 June and Southland 11 June. It’s a great initiative, with a top line up of comedians, all ready to give the two towns a good laugh.
The Agri-Women’s Development Trust’s (AWDT) new programme Know your Mindset. Lead what Matters, offers farmers, growers, and rural professionals the opportunity to face common leadership wellbeing issues together. Rural Leaders are proud to be involved with the new programme and recently, Lisa Sims, General Manager of AWDT and our own Chris Parsons, discussed the programme and the reason it came to be.
In this issue, our podcast, Ideas That Grow, catches up with Kate Scott, 2018 Nuffield Scholar. Kate discusses the regulatory environment, the pace of change, and her own Nuffield experience.
We recently opened applications for the Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarships. We share some more information on 2023’s search and how you can help. With world travel opening up again, 2023 looks to be an ideal time to embark on a Nuffield learning journey.
Many of our recent Nuffield Scholars are packing their bags to head overseas to round out their scholarship programmes. Lucie Douma and Parmindar Singh have returned from their trip to the UK and in Lucie’s case, Scotland, Shetland Islands and Norway as well. Both 2022 Scholars share their experiences and insights.
In Alumni in the Spotlight, Farmer’s Weekly spoke to Craige Mackenzie on some big changes coming up for his family. Craige is a passionate Nuffielder whose farm, Greenvale Pastures, has long been a case study in excellence. Craige talks about shifting focus and moving on.
Still with Nuffield, the Triennial is set for March 2023, and opens in Christchurch. We’re well into planning now and share what we can with you about the itinerary and the One Day Summit.
For Kellogg too it has been a busy month. Kellogg Whanganui kicked off in early May with an energised cohort made up of scholars based locally and from places further afield – like Otago! Applications are now open for Programme One – January 2023 intake and Programme Two – June intake. And we have highlighted 14 Kellogg reports, all discussing aspects of the horticulture industry in New Zealand.
The Value Chain Innovation Programme is set for 18 September. It’s time to get your application in for this unique programme. One that offers participants the opportunity to access a range of value chains and the leaders who work within them.
Stay well, and we hope you enjoy this issue of The Rural Leader.
The Team at Rural Leaders.
Ideas that grow podcast.
Kate Scott: Front footing the fast-moving regulatory environment.
Kate Scott is a Nuffield Scholar and the current Chair of the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust Board. Kate talks about her Nuffield journey and how the research she undertook has informed the work she does now. Kate is passionate about helping farmers tackle the regulatory environment, the pace of change, and sustainability.
Nuffield and Kellogg Alumni networking event for Bay of Plenty.
Save the date.
On 13 July (Wednesday), Rural Leaders are running an event at Zespri International in Mount Maunganui.
It’s an opportunity for BOP Alumni to connect with others in the region as peers or potential mentors/mentees.
Bring along a guest who you think might want to participate in an upcoming Nuffield, Kellogg, or the new Value Chain Innovation Programme. You’ll hear from previous Nuffield and Kellogg Scholars on the night.
Leading change and making impact in our rural communities is rewarding – but can be tough and sometimes lonely.
In response, The Agri-Women’s Development Trust have developed Know your Mindset. Lead what Matters – with support from Rural Leaders. It’s a short, online programme helping women and men to lead change to manage multiple pressures, calmly and clearly.
Rural Leaders are proud to be involved with the new programme and recently, Lisa Sims, General Manager of AWDT and our own Chris Parsons, discussed the programme and the reason it came to be.
The programme is an opportunity to look up from the to-do list, invest in your own wellbeing and create a firm base from which to support others. Come and join us.
2023 Nuffield Scholarship applications are open.
Many feel 2023 could be the best time in a while to safely embark on a Nuffield Scholarship journey. With the world opening up again – that seems a fairly reasonable assessment. We share a short message on applying for a Scholarship yourself or looking out for those you think could be Nuffield material.
For those who are unfamiliar with what ‘Nuffield material’ is – check out last month’s article where we unpacked a little about the attributes of a potential Scholar.
Here’s how you can help us find the talented leaders out there.
Lucie Douma and Parmindar Singh insights.
Here is the full wrap up:
Both Lucie and Parmindar recently submitted their Nuffield insights reports.
Parmindar heard consistently positive views on New Zealand’s premium brand equity, while Lucie learned of balancing tradition in conventional British farming, with innovation and the environment.
Both Scholars benefitted hugely from their interactions with other Nuffield Scholars – concluding that many of the challenges they face, we face too.
You can read Lucie and Parmindar’s insights reports here:
Parmindar Singh: 2022 CSC Insights – Norfolk, UK.
Lucie Douma: Entering an unknown future – 2022 Nuffield CSC – Norfolk, United Kingdom.
2023 Nuffield Triennial and International Summit.
Pencil the last week of March 2023!
Next year’s event promises much to love for those looking to mix, mingle and enjoy a world-class agri-conference in our backyard.
We thought we’d share what we can about the conference, in the form of a ‘work in progress’ itinerary – still subject to potential changes as the planning team hustle for the best conference possible.
Take a look at the early ‘work in progress’ itinerary.
Kellogg Rural Scholar Series launches with ‘Horticultural Insights’.
‘Horticulture Insights’ is the first report in a new Kellogg Rural Scholars Series. The booklet features more than a dozen curated reports from Kellogg Scholars.
With decades of reports to draw on, we’re excited about the potential of this initiative to shine a light on the research our scholars have completed.
Click here or on the image to download your copy.
The next in the series will be ‘Dairy Insights’ and there are plans for more to follow this year.
Kellogg Whanganui Phase One. Done.
Kellogg Whanganui Phase One was completed in early May by an energised cohort of local leaders, and a few from further afield.
This programme is facilitated by Phil Morrison and is delivered in partnership with Whanganui and Partners. This, and last year’s programme in Te Tai Tokerau, aim to help deepen rural leadership capability in the regions.
We’ll have more news on where the next regional programme will be in due course.
Applications are open for 2023’s January and June intakes at Lincoln.
Here’s 2023’s programme phase dates and application close dates.
Kellogg Programme One, Lincoln: 24 January – 7 July 2023
Applications close: Sunday, 30 October 2022.
Kellogg Programme Two, Lincoln: 13 June – 30 November 2023
Applications close: Sunday, 16 April 2023.
More date and programme details can be found here, including the timings of each programme’s three phases.
The Value Chain Innovation Programme – begins September.
A great place to start your research into this programme is by listening to these two podcasts by:
Programme Facilitator Prof. Hamish Gow
Nuffield Scholar James Parsons
Both are highly informative and provide an excellent programme and wider industry value chain context. After listening, you’ll be primed to register your interest.
More details on the programme can be found here.
Alumni in the spotlight
Craige Mackenzie – Farming with passion and precision.
In this article by Farmers Weekly, Craige Mackenzie talks about his family’s upcoming shift in focus after decades striving for excellence at Greenvale Pastures.
“…the land outlasts the people on it, we are just caretakers, there’s life after the farm and we are happy to hand it over now.”
Be in to win gin! Join NZ Rural Leaders Alumni private FB page.
When an official alumni event is on, or if someone organises their own, this is the place to hear about it. It’s open to programme alumni only.
We have about 80 alumni onboard so far. Let’s try to triple that over the coming month. Everyone who is a member of the group as of 20 June will be in to win (just for being there!) a bottle of Desiree Reid’s incredible Cardrona gin.
Winner will be announced in our next issue.
Farmstrong Comedy Night Show.
Rural Leaders Strategic Partners FMG, Beef+LambNZ and Programme Partners Farmlands, are behind two upcoming comedy shows in Southland and Otago.
Lumsden and Clinton will play host to a cracking night of comedy and dinner on Friday 10 June and Saturday 11 June. Tickets $20.00 and include dinner – Lock it in!
Join the laughing stock at
Lumsden Friday 10th June 2022, https://www.trybooking.co.nz/JXT
Clinton Saturday 11th June 2022, https://www.trybooking.co.nz/JYO
Email info@farmstrong.co.nz for more information or download the brochure. Grab your mates, neighbours or treat your workers to a great night of comedy for a good cause.
A big night out for Dairy.
Canterbury/Otago achieved a clean sweep of the major categories and the Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award. Winners were announced at the Dairy Industry Awards on May 14 at a dinner in Christchurch attended by over 500 people.
Will Green was named Share Farmer of the Year, Jaspal Singh was named Dairy Manager of the Year and Peter O’Connor was crowned Dairy Trainee of the Year.
The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by a range of national sponsors, including Rural Leaders partners LIC and DairyNZ.
To see these and other results, including Craigmore’s Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award, visit https://www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz/results-2/national-results/
FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final, Whangārei.
From 7 to 9 July, seven regional winners participate in an action-packed three-day event in Whangārei. Competition includes head-to-head challenges plus technical skills tasks, such as an innovation project and an interview.
Contestants must also deliver a speech on a topic, having been given just a few days to prepare.
The last challenge is the quiz, where contestants battle it out over six rounds of agricultural and general knowledge questions.
This years’ finalists are: Tim Dangen – Northern Region, Chris Poole – Waikato/BOP Region, David Reesby – Taranaki Manawatu Region, Mark Wallace – East Coast Region, Jonny Brown – Tasman Region, Tom Adkins – Aorangi Region, Alex Field – Otago/Southland Region.
Competition details can be found here.
E TIPU 2022: The Boma Agri Summit.
The Summit runs 21-22 June in Ōtautahi Christchurch and brings together remarkable speakers and changemakers to share mind-blowing insights to help shape the future of Aotearoa’s primary industries.
Rural Leaders have two discounts exclusively for readers. The codes will give you the below discounts when you buy tickets at the Summit site.
$100 off the In Person tickets: 100_RuralLeaders
$20 off the Virtual tickets: 20_RuralLeaders
To find out more or to book, head to https://etipu.boma.global/
Leadership opportunities
DairyNZ Head of Science - Hamilton
Leading teams with serious talent, this role reports to the GM and is a key contributor to the implementation of DairyNZ’s strategy.
You’ll have an eye on the future and how our science delivers into it.
Beef+LambNZ Region Coordinator – North Island
Beef+Lamb is recruiting for a proactive and professional Region Coordinator based in the Northern North Island, to support that region on a fixed-term basis to cover parental leave until April 2023.
Ministry of Primary Industries Business Transformation Lead
Lead the effective implementation of the business change relating to the Forestry ETS Transformation Programme (‘ETS Programme’).
This includes working closely alongside our leaders to support and drive the implementation of the change.
FAR Board, Associate Director
FAR are looking for the above to join the Board for 12 months. FAR welcome applications from candidates with expertise and experience in the arable sector who are looking to build their governance and strategic planning skills.
Find out more about this and other roles.
FMG Business Support Consultant – Christchurch
You’ll have high attention to detail, the ability to manage your time effectively, and have a strong focus on providing excellent service to internal clients.
You’ll have high computer literacy skills, you’re proactive and driven to succeed in a busy and high performing team.
FMG Associate Director opportunity
Right now, FMG is offering an 18-month Associate Director role for a passionate individual who wants to grow their knowledge and experience in one of New Zealand’s leading primary sector organisations.
Applications close Thursday, 23 June 2022.
For more information head to www.fmg.co.nz/campaigns/fmg-board-observer
Send us your feedback.
We’d like to know what you think of the Rural Leader and of you have any ideas on how we could improve it.
Call to all scholars: Update your details.
It’s important for us to keep your contact and other details up to date. Please take a few minutes to fill out our form by clicking on the relevant logo below. This information will not be used outside of our organisation without your permission. Thank you.
We’re looking for your top shots.
You can probably spot a stock image a mile away, right? We think there’s nothing better than the authentic photos you’ve taken – to celebrate our sector. Especially the good ones. We’re after the shots you’re happy to share with us of your primary sector experiences, here or abroad.
These could be on-farm, from businesses across the value chain, or any shot you think exemplifies the primary sector, its people, and its many textures.
This isn’t a competition. Quite honestly, we just need more imagery. Can you help us out? Here’s a few shots others have shared with us recently.
Fire shots (at least 1mb file size) through to denitsastoeva@ruralleaders.co.nz
Our programmes work in partnership with some of New Zealand’s leading agribusiness organisations – click here for more.
