Graham Smith: Pulse of primary sector represented

Graham Smith

What strikes you is the absolute passion, commitment and focus of our provincial presidents and their teams, who, day in and day out, work with farmers and our staff to identify and help solve local issues.

The last month has been a busy period throughout the country with the launch of our strategic refresh and Federated Farmers' annual meetings.

Like Dr William Rolleston, I have had the pleasure of attending many of our AGMs. What strikes me is the absolute passion, commitment and focus of our provincial presidents and their teams, who, day in and day out, work with farmers and our staff to identify and help solve local issues.

The fact we represent the pulse of the primary sector is the real strength of the organisation.

Dr Rolleston has also given you a snapshot of the strategic refresh we have been undertaking during the last six months.

It is important for organisations to review and focus on what they need to achieve and this process has been invaluable in doing that.

I expand on our strategic refresh on page 5 of The National Farming Review. One of the important observations is from external stakeholders, who stress the absolute importance of Federated Farmers to the primary sector.

This confirmation is invaluable and provides a platform for some of the strategies we are looking to implement.

At the end of June, I will have been chief executive of Federated Farmers for 12 months. How time flies!

Professionally, it's been exciting and stimulating. May that continue!