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What is your background?

I grew up in the little settlement of Mohaka about an hour north of Napier and once finished with my primary years at Mohaka School I went to Napier Girls High and was a boarder.

During my high school years in the weekends and school holidays I worked on farms and that was how my passion for farming began. I left school at the end of 6th form knowing that farming was exactly what I wanted to do.

I was lucky enough to secure my first shepherding job on Pohuetai Farms in Dannevirke in 2001. I started building up a team of dogs and working through qualifications with Primary ITO. As a young female in a male-dominated industry I was determined to prove myself and was supported and encouraged by some fantastic people along the way.

I gained a Diploma Agriculture through doing night classes. Long story made short, I physically worked on farm for 10 years, a lot of that time in the King Country. Then when my husband and I started our family we moved back to Hawke’s Bay to be closer to family and friends.

In between having my first two children I worked in the Agriculture education sector for both Taratahi and Primary ITO as a tutor and Training Advisor to help our future farmers. I found both of these roles very rewarding, helping the next generation of farmers gain qualifications just as I had done many years before.

I am now working as a Territory Manager for Hatuma Lime Company (it’s been 4 years) helping farmers look after their soil and pasture health and make fertiliser and lime recommendations to suit individual situations. I love this role. as I get to be on-farm and meet new farmers everyday while also knowing I am doing the right thing by the environment. I am currently on parental leave though as I had a baby in early July.

Do you farm, if so what?

My husband and I own a block of land in Argyll, Central Hawke’s Bay and also lease a block 10 minutes down the road. Total farmed area is 200 Ha, and we farm sheep and beef. My husband is an arborist running his own business, so we both farm part time.

Why are you part of the Future Farming Trust?

I love Hawke’s Bay and I especially love farming in Hawke’s Bay. Farmers face a lot of challenges on a daily basis and I would like us as a Trust to be able to help and support farmers showing them new innovative ways of farming that not only help them, but help the environment and community also.

I also want young people to see farming as a fantastic career option when they are deciding what they are wanting to do when they leave school. We are all aware of the huge labour shortage we are facing at the moment so we need to encourage more people to choose faming as their career.

As the Trust increases its profile we will be able to shine a light on Hawke’s Bay farming more and more and increase awareness for all. I enjoy being a part of the Trust with our diverse bunch of trustees and am currently chairperson. I very much believe that you never want to stay in status quo mode, and I strive to improve myself as a person, learning, upskilling, and helping people as I go forward.

What part can the Future Farming Trust play in the success of Hawke’s Bay's primary sector?

Keeping relevant and showcasing good practice on farms and orchards that fit with our (Trust) mission, as well as inspiring, promoting and celebrating profitable farming systems that enrich the environment and the community.

What are the biggest issues farmers are facing, and how can the Future Farming Trust help?

There are too many issues to list,  but the biggest ones are around the climate (the extreme weather events) and Government regulations. The Trust held a very well attended event on 11 August which had a lot of discussion around this topic with keynote speakers Damien O’Connor and Rod Oram. Events like this will help Hawke’s Bay farmers and growers keep relevant with what's going on while also highlighting new innovations that can help on-farm.

The Trust is here to help so we encourage people to come to us with new ideas and proposals that will help Hawke’s Bay farming continuously improve.

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