Your latest issue, 2023
Welcome to this latest Issue of the Rural Leader.
With many of our network friends busy at Fieldays through to Saturday and E Tipu IFAMA 2023 starting then too, we know there’s some tough competition for this issue of the Rural Leader. Should you find time, we have some great content to share with you.
In this Ideas that Grow Podcast, we hear from Hamish Marr, 2019 Nuffield Scholar and intensive arable farmer based in Methven. Hamish talks to Bryan Gibson, Farmers Weekly Managing Editor, about the use of Glyphosate, Nuffield and some of the challenges facing arable farming now.
We share the Mackenzie Study’s cross-sectional analysis of both Nuffield and Kellogg, including the headline numbers. We also provide the full report for you to download. The results are impressive.
Rural Leaders is pleased to join forces with Lincoln University to offer a place to the winner of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year on the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme.
The search for our 2024 Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholars started a couple of weeks ago. You can refer a potential Nuffielder in your network, or register your own interest.
The Nuffield AGM was held on the 30th of May with a turnout of 30 Alumni. One main point of discussion was Michael Tayler and Craige Mackenzie stepping down from the Nuffield NZ Board of Trustees (and by default the NZRLT Board) after 8 years of dedicated and excellent service.
Steve Wilkins and Murray King were formally appointed to the Nuffield NZ Board of Trustees/NZRLT Board to continue Craige and Michael’s work. We introduce you to these new Trustees.
Kellogg Programme Two 2023 (K50), Phase One started on Tuesday. A full cohort with, quite coincidentally, several Scholars from Te Puke in the North Island. Programme One’s (K49) final report presentations start 3 July.
We cover three reports worth reading from Kellogg Programme Two 2022 (K48). These are: Rosalie Hyslop’s look into How the Groundspread industry can help support Food and Fibre. Sarah McKenzie’s report on Thriving early career development for rural technical support professionals. And, Marcus Tietjen’s report on Opportunities to improve efficiency in the fresh produce supply chain.
In Alumni in the Spotlight we hear recent news from Natalie Bowie, 2016 Kellogg Scholar, Murray King, 2003 Nuffield Scholar, Corrigan Sowman, 2019 Nuffield Scholar and Rosalie Hyslop, 2022 Kellogg Scholar.
In The Rural Reader, Dr Patrick Aldwell reviews ‘Farm: The making of a climate activist.’ By Nicola Harvey.
We cover some news from our Partners, a few Leadership Opportunities and some Industry News.
We hope you enjoy this issue.
The Team at Rural Leaders.
Ideas that grow podcast.
Hamish Marr: Glyphosate, Nuffield and cropping today.
In this podcast Bryan Gibson, Farmers Weekly Managing Editor, talks to Hamish Marr, 2019 Nuffield Scholar about his Nuffield research on glyphosate, New Zealand’s use of it as a strategic farming tool, and some of the challenges arable farmers are facing today.
Listen to the podcast below or click here to read the transcript.
The Mackenzie Study - The Nuffield and Kellogg results.
In this latest Mackenzie Study report we build on the progress report from February 2021, adding The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme as well as including updates on the previously published Nuffield results.
Some headline results include: Each Nuffield Scholar creating an average of 3.6 businesses and each Kellogg Scholar creating 1.7 businesses. Collectively, the Nuffield and Kellogg Alum’s create an estimated 2,273 businesses, 41,895 jobs, and serve in 29,347 leadership roles.
Take a read of this article covering some of the economic, social, and environmental contributions Scholars of both Programmes have made to New Zealand’s Food and Fibre sector.
You can also download the full report from this article.
Rural Leaders and Lincoln University join forces for FMG Young Farmer of the Year Prize.
The winner of this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition can now add an opportunity to grow their leadership skills to the long list of prizes they will take home.
Lincoln University and Rural Leaders have teamed up to offer the winner a place on the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme.
The partnership is an opportunity to offer a prize which will benefit not only the winner as they progress their career, but also the Food and Fibre Sector itself through the growth of a leader who has already demonstrated they have outstanding agricultural skills and knowledge through their win.
Rural Leaders have sponsored this prize in the past. There are often programme alumni in the event, this year is no exception with 2018 Kellogg Scholar Lisa Kendall in the Grand Final (pictured on far left, above). Of course, if Lisa picks up the win (fingers crossed), we may have to adjust the programme offered as a prize – likely the Value Chain Innovation Programme.
Photo credit: FMG.
2024 Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarship applications are open.
2024 Nuffield Scholarship applications are open until 13 August, so if you, or someone you know, has the potential to grow further as a leader – we’d like to know about it.
If the talented person you have in mind is you, simply register your interest here to receive an application form and to keep up to date on the programme.
Or, refer someone in your industry or network you think should apply via a quick form here.
Two new Nuffield NZ/NZRLT Board appointments.
We can’t really do justice to the service given by Craige Mackenzie and Michael Tayler in this short piece. So we will another time. However, after serving eight years on the the Nuffield NZ Board they are stepping down. Needless to say, they will be hugely missed. Their passion and enthusiasm for the Sector will see them both involved in Nuffield and with Rural Leaders in the future, we’re certain.
With Craige and Michael’s departure, the Nuffield NZ/NZRLT board welcomes Steve Wilkins, 2013 Nuffield Scholar and Murray King, 2003 Nuffield Scholar. Both Murray and Steve bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Here’s a short introduction to the new Trustees.
K50!
K50! AKA 2023 Kellogg Programme Two. This landmark cohort’s Phase One began at Lincoln on Tuesday this week. We look forward to celebrating this 50th Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme at the end of Phase Three, late November this year.
Apply for 2024’s Kellogg Programme One today.
If you, or others in your network are ready to develop the skills and tools to lead change, you could suggest they apply for 2024’s Programme One by 12 November.
In February’s Ideas That Grow Podcast, Dr Scott Champion, Programme Director, gave a podcast that anyone considering Kellogg should listen to. You can also take a look at our Kellogg Brochure here.
The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme’s 2024 dates are,
Programme One, Lincoln: 23 January – 4 July 2024
Phase One (Lincoln):
Tuesday 23 January – Wednesday 31 January 2024.
Phase Two (Wellington):
Monday 8 April – Friday 12 April 2024.
Phase Three (Lincoln):
Monday 1 July – Thursday 4 July 2024.
Applications close Sunday 12 November, 2023.
Programme Two, Lincoln: 11 June – 28 November 2024
Phase One (Lincoln):
Tuesday 11 June – Wednesday 19 June 2024.
Phase Two (Wellington):
Monday 9 September – Thursday 12 September 2024.
Phase Three (Lincoln):
Monday 25 November – Thursday 28 November 2024.
Applications close Sunday 14 April, 2024.
Three Kellogg reports worth reading.
Our latest Kellogg cohort’s reports are not due until July. So in the meantime we’ve gone back through past Kellogg reports for these three must-reads, all from Kellogg Programme Two 2022, (K48).
How can we help? How can the groundspread industry support the New Zealand Food and Fibre sector on their current trajectory?
Rose’s report seeks to understand how the groundspread industry can support the New Zealand Food and Fibre sector during a period of increased regulation and reform. In trying to understand how the groundspread industry could help, it was necessary first to establish the following:
- How imposed regulatory change impacts the Food and Fibre sector.
- What the groundspread industry is currently doing well.
- What areas the groundspread industry could improve to support the sector.
- Why the New Zealand Food and Fibre sector requires trusted partners to support them in meeting their challenges.
Thriving early career development. For rural professionals in skilled technical support roles.
Sarah’s report looks at what is important for thriving early career development for rural professionals in skilled technical support roles. It aims to gain an understanding of the options and designs for early career development and the key features of a successful graduate programme.
Opportunities to improve efficiency in the fresh produce supply chain.
Marcus’s report aims to further understand the FPSC and to seek efficiencies that can be made that reduce volatility in supply, reduce food waste and reduce the margin between what the consumer pays, and grower receives.
It aims to answer three key questions:
- What are the challenges for the current fresh produce supply chain from the farm gate in New Zealand?
- What technology and supply chains exist today outside of fresh produce?
- And does a different, more efficient system fit in today’s fresh produce supply chain and would this be accepted by industry stakeholders?
Alumni in the spotlight.
Alumni in the Spotlight: Natalie Bowie, Murray King, Corrigan Sowman, and Rosalie Hyslop.
Natalie Bowie, 2016 Kellogg Scholar.
Natalie Bowie, National Manager, Sectors and Marketing at Primary ITO |Te Pūkenga was elected to the Food and Fibre CoVE Board.
Natalie has spent 15 years working in the food and fibre education sector in Aotearoa, New Zealand and China. She has held board roles on the Wairarapa Chamber of Commerce, Dress for Success Wellington and as an Associate Trustee for the Rural Leaders Trust.
Take a look at this post by Food and Fibre CoVE on the appointment.
Murray King, 2003 Nuffield Scholar.
LIC Chairman Murray King has confirmed he is not seeking re-election at the end of his current term and will retire from the LIC Board at the Annual Meeting on 12 October 2023.
Corrigan Sowman, 2019 Nuffield Scholar.
Corrigan Sowman, a farmer director on the LIC Board, has been appointed Chair-designate and will succeed King at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting.
You can read more about both Nuffielders in this article by LIC dated 25 May.
Rosalie Hyslop, 2022 Kellogg Scholar.
Canterbury Today – Mid-Canterbury, ran an article about Groundspread NZ, where Rosalie is Executive Officer.
You can read more about the industry Rosalie is passionate about here. (Page 36-40). And, if you’re considering a Kellogg in 2024 – check out our ad at the end of the article.
The Rural Reader - Book reviews by Dr Patrick Aldwell.
Dr Patrick Aldwell, Academic Director – Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, reads more books than most of us and is a firm believer in lifelong learning.
In this, the third installment of the Rural Reader, Patrick reviews Farm – the making of a climate activist. Nicola Harvey (2022).
News from our Partners.
FMG Young Farmer of the Year.
The Grand Final, Season 55 is to be held in Timaru 6-8 July. If you can’t get to Timaru, watch on the livestream here and download the timetable here.
We’ll be cheering on Lisa Kendall, 2018 Kellogg Scholar.
Beef+LambNZ Awards.
Enter or nominate your sheep and beef industry champions for one of the eight B+LNZ Awards categories today.
Anyone working in the sheep and beef (dairy beef) industry is encouraged to enter, or nominate someone else, for one or several of the award categories. Entries close 23 July 2023.
You can enter or nominate here.
Industry News.
E Tipu IFAMA 2023 - 19-20 June, Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Last chance to get your tickets to the E Tipu IFAMA 2023 World Conference on 19-20 June.
Tickets available at etipu.boma.global — use the code RURALLEADERS to save 10% on your tickets.
Three new speakers to the line up.
Anna Campbell: Co-Founder of Zestt Wellness and M2 Biotechnology.
Warren McNabb: Deputy Director and Professor of Nutritional Sciences; Professor of Nutritional Sciences in the Riddet Institute.
Lisa Tumahai: Kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu; Deputy Chair of He Pou ā Rangi – Climate Change Commission.
AWDT - Generation Change.
Young women, driven by purpose, will define our food and fibre future.
To prepare young women to make impact in the primary sector, Agri Womens Development Trust are again running Generation Change – a one-day workshop and mentoring programme in Hamilton (July 27).
By exploring personal values and strengths, drafting a career plan and connecting with inspiring food and fibre people – it’s about supporting the next generation of women to bring their true selves to the sector.
Know a young woman starting her primary sector journey in tertiary study or training? Tell her about Generation Change.
Leadership Opportunities
Associate Board Director - FAR
The FAR Board is looking for candidates with expertise and experience in the arable sector and who want to build their governance and strategic planning skills.
Learn more here. You’ll need to move fast – last day Friday 16th.
Science and Policy Specialist - HortNZ
HortNZ is seeking a motivated and experienced science and policy specialist to lead their risk policy team.
This is a hands-on role where you’ll be expected to be immersed in the business and enjoy occasionally getting out of the office to meet with growers in the field.
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.
Our programmes work in partnership with some of New Zealand’s leading agribusiness organisations – click here for more.
