The Growing Future Farmers provides practical on-farm experience. Photo / Duncan Brown
The Growing Future Farmers provides practical on-farm experience. Photo / Duncan Brown
The recent Growing Future Farmers application process for the 2025 student intake has closed with a record number of applications.
Growing Future Farmers is a two-year programme providing practical on-farm experience o build confidence and skills in young people entering the sheep, beef, and deer industry.
More students than ever had applied to Growing Future Farmers as their first choice this year, which was something worth celebrating, she said.
“It’s a huge commitment for a 16–21-year-old to leave home and move onto a farm for two years, but witnessing the growth in confidence and skills over those two years is incredible.”
The large jump in student applications is attributed to more young people having a clear idea about where to put their energy as they focus on future careers.
Paul said the programme was currently in the next stage of its annual process; looking into matching Year 1 students to available farm placements for 2025.
“Our focus is on encouraging farmers who are invested in the sustainability of our sheep and beef sector, and in growing young people into great farmers, to join the programme so that we can offer more farm placement opportunities to our long list of successful student applicants.”
Growing Future Farmers is currently looking for more farm trainers.
The programme encourages farmers in the Canterbury, King Country, and Kurow/Otago regions to consider becoming farm trainers to meet the student demand.
