Waimate is hosting the Aorangi regional final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest on April 14.
The line-up includes an award-winning former builder, a hemp producer, the 2017 Rural Bachelor of the Year and a case of sibling rivalry.
Central Rural Life is listing the candidates in alphabetical order, to avoid any accusations of favouritism.
Cameron Black is returning to the event after winning the Agri-Knowledge Challenge in last year's regional final.
The 25-year-old, who has a bachelor of agri-science degree from Massey University, is a rural consultant at New Zealand Agri Brokers and was previously a banker.
''Every spring I take annual leave and help with lambing on my parents' farm in Southland,'' he said.
Stephen Blain.
Stephen Blain is an arable farmer who produces seed for export. His 310ha Ashburton family farm grows radishes, grasses, cereals, clovers, corn, peas, hemp and chrysanthemums.
The 30-year-old has backpacked around Central America and Southeast Asia, visiting about 25 countries.
William Ellis (27) was the Registered Master Builders Carters Apprentice of the Year for Hawkes Bay-East Coast in 2014.
''I now manage a 470ha sheep and beef finishing and breeding block in Timaru,'' he said. He has planted grain and canola crops in Australia and once swam in the Nile River.
William Green.
William Green, who grew up in England, has a passion for pasture-based agriculture that brought him to New Zealand four years ago. The 28-year-old is a farm manager on an 840-cow dairy property in Fairlie.
''I hope to be 50:50 sharemilking within five years,'' he said.
Adam Judd is an assistant manager on a 720-cow dairy farm in Pleasant Point. The 27-year-old grew up in Mosgiel and has a bachelor of science degree from Massey University.
''I really enjoy learning new skills and benchmarking myself against other contestants.''
Mr Judd plays rugby for Pleasant Point and is learning Spanish by correspondence.
Matthew McAtamney.
The McAtamney family has two finalists to support - brothers Josh (29) and Matthew (27). ''I really want to beat my brother,'' Josh McAtamney said, laughing. He is a contract milker of 950 cows in Carew, and also fattens bulls.
Matthew McAtamney, 2017 Rural Bachelor of the Year, volunteered to build shelters in Nepal after its devastating 2015 earthquake.
''It was right before the monsoon season, so the pressure was on to rebuild as quickly as possible,'' he said.
Campbell Sommerville's family has a long history with the FMG Young Farmer of the Year. ''My father, Baden Sommerville, was runner-up in the 1991 grand final,'' he said.
Mr Sommerville (24) works on a 600ha Methven arable farm and is a keen rugby player.
He has spent time in Britain harvesting meadow hay for race horses and milking 600 dairy goats.
The Aorangi regional final, to be held at the new Waimate A&P Shears Pavilion, will be hosted by comedian Te Radar.
The winner progresses to the national final in Invercargill in July.
