December 2025

For Amelia Marsden, the NZ Young Farmers Contest isn’t just an event, it’s something she’s grown up with. And as she and all of the Season 58 regional finalists have now been named and start to prepare, she reflects on how the competition came to be for her.

“I remember watching the Young Farmers contest on TV as a kid, it was the highlight of my year,” she laughs. “One year, they even held a Grand Final in Greymouth. My parents got free tickets through the National Bank, and that was the first time I got to see it in real life. I was hooked.”

That early fascination stayed with her, leading to her first experience with NZ Young Farmers while studying at Lincoln University. “It was a big, social club with great opportunities to meet people and try leadership roles. It really helped me feel connected,” she says.

Today, Amelia is based in the Tasman region, where she’s helping to grow not only her own career in horticulture but also the local NZ Young Farmers community.

“When I first moved up here, there wasn’t a club at all, and I really struggled,” she explains. “Everywhere else I’d lived, the first thing I did was join a club. It’s how I built a social network. So when we started getting a club off the ground in this region, it felt amazing. It’s such an important space for young people to connect, especially in areas where it can be hard to meet others your own age.”

Growing a Club from the Ground Up

Amelia was one of the founding members of the Tasman Valley Young Farmers Club, which was formed after a small group of locals put the word out on social media to gauge interest.

“There were just a few of us to start with,” she says. “We made a group chat after an expressions-of-interest meeting, and it kind of snowballed from there. Not everyone stuck around, but the people who did were really passionate and now we’ve got a thriving, close-knit club.”

That community spirit extends beyond the local meetings. Amelia often finds herself encouraging colleagues and friends to get involved. “I’ve even bought memberships for friends!” she laughs. “One of my workmates wasn’t sure about joining, so I just said, ‘You don’t get a choice, you’re joining!’ And she’s loved it.”

For Amelia, NZ Young Farmers is about much more than social events. “It’s not just about the drinks or the parties, it’s about being part of something that connects you to the wider food and fibre network,” she says. “You don’t even have to be a farmer. It’s just a great community to belong to.”

A Contestant With Experience

When it comes to the FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest, Amelia is no stranger to the competition arena. Season 58 marks her fourth trip to regionals and about her seventh time entering overall.

“The first time I entered, I was an 18-year-old student at Lincoln, absolutely terrified,” she says. “But I loved that they had the ‘give it a go’ option. It made it feel less daunting, like you could just turn up, try your best, and see what happens.”

Since then, she’s competed across regions and taken on the Young Grower of the Year competition too, where she impressed by taking out her regional event and going on to Nationals where she came third.

“I didn’t expect to win Regionals at all,” she admits. “I went in thinking, ‘If I place, that’s awesome. But I don’t want to come first, because then I’ll have to go to Nationals!’ And then… well, I did!”

The experience, she says, was unforgettable. “It was such a great group of people. You learn so much, not just about the industry, but about yourself. And you make friends for life.”

Looking Ahead

As she prepares for another regional competition, Amelia says she’s grateful for the support of her clubmates and mentors. “Blair, one of our founding members, is helping run a mock regional for me and Bryce (also from Tasman Valley)so we can get some practice in. I’m even getting a bit of sheep-shearing tuition, that’s definitely not my strongest skill!”

With her trademark enthusiasm and a down-to-earth attitude, Amelia is focused on enjoying the experience and encouraging others to get involved.

“I just want more people to see how rewarding it is, especially women,” she says. “There are amazing people involved, and it’s such a great way to challenge yourself, learn new things, and have fun doing it.”

District Contest Wrap Up

With the completion of the District Contests across the country, we have some exciting stats. 37% female participants (up 2% year on year), 50% first time participants (up 10% year on year), Northern and East Coast Regions increasing their contestants with some of the highest numbers we have seen in recent years.

It certainly is an exciting time, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!

The full list of regional finalists, including the dates of the 2026 events can be found here: https://www.youngfarmers.co.nz/contest/regional-finals