“Bring your jack of all trades mindset, you’ll need it.”
That’s the message from NZ Young Farmers East Coast convenor, Emma Ractliffe to contestants polishing up their skills ahead of this year’s regional finals event set to take place on Saturday 14 March at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society.
While contestants can expect to be put through their paces – as usual – event organisers are ensuring there will be plenty to keep contestants on their toes as they make their way through a series of tough challenges designed to test their practical skills, technical knowledge, and ability to work fast under pressure.
For 29-year-old Ed Laver, chairman of Puketoi Young Farmers Club, this will be his first time entering the competition. He’s got an extensive resume being a farmer, a pilot, and having competed in Godzone and Coast to Coast longest day!
Encouraged by his mates and community, he decided now was the time to give it a go before turning 30.
“I thought I should get on with it, I’m 29 now so I haven’t got too many years left to give it crack and a few mates talked some sense into me.”
Going into the competition, Laver is keen to embrace every challenge. Having grown up on a farm, he says many of the skills needed are ones he’s been practising for years.
“It's a farmer's competition, and I've been farming since I was 5 years old, so I suppose I've been preparing for this my whole life.”
At the same time, he knows the event is designed to test competitors in unexpected ways, and he’s been making time to prepare where he can.
“I've got other mates who have done it in the past, so I’m hoping I won’t be caught too off guard,” Laver says.
Ractliffe says the weekend will throw a mix of tasks at competitors but reminds them that the skills they need are the same ones they use every day.
“On any given day, a young Kiwi farmer might be a builder, a plumber, a mechanic, or even an adviser. Our competition is designed to help them uncover and show off those skills.”
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year is a highlight in the rural calendar, boasting a strong track record of showcasing the rising stars in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector – igniting contestants’ competitive streak and setting the bar for excellence in farming.
NZ Young Farmers CEO Cheyne Gillooly says the long-standing contest is well-loved in the East Coast and around the country because it gives talented young farmers space to shine in the spotlight and connect with like-minded peers, which can be hard to do in the industry.
“With our AgriKidsNZ events for primary-aged competitors and FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year competitions running alongside the Regional Finals Young Farmers event, collectively the day is a true celebration of agriculture and the people who drive it – with a healthy dose of competition of course,” says Gillooly.
This year, 10 primary schools (making up 30 teams), and 9 high schools (making up 31 teams) from the East Coast have thrown their hat in the ring.
Ractliffe says the key for competitors is to back themselves and trust the skills they use every single day.
“They know their stuff. They do it day in, day out. Even if something’s asked in a way they’re not used to, they just need to lean on their experience and the skills they already have. They’ll get through it.”
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest is proudly supported by FMG, Ravensdown, MPI, Milwaukee, Honda, Lincoln University, PTS, New Holland, Bushbuck and ACC.
For more information on the regional finals across Aotearoa visit youngfarmers.co.nz/contest/regional-finals
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