Waikato farmers vie for FMG Young Farmer of the Year — People's Choice Award

Waikato / Bay of Plenty champion Josh Cozens in action at the regional final.

Voting is officially open for the 2018 FMG Young Farmer of the Year — People's Choice Award.

Once again, Kiwis will have the chance to back their favourite Young Farmer, thanks to the People's Choice section, introduced by leading rural insurer FMG back in 2016.

"Since coming on board as the principal sponsor, FMG has looked at ways to build on the competition's popularity," says FMG's chief client officer Andrea Brunner.

"The People's Choice helps the regional winners showcase themselves as ambassadors; encouraging more young people into the industry.

"For us, the FMG Young Farmer of the Year finalists represent some of the best young talent we have in the industry, and we wanted to help build up their professional profile and seek opportunities to become leaders and positive influencers in the rural sector.

"This award also gives people a chance to get more involved with the competition. Rural and provincial communities are fiercely loyal, and this award gives people a chance to show that loyalty by backing their favourite competitor."

Each of the seven grand finalists has established their own Facebook page, have their face and name plastered on a billboard within their region and have received a '101' on how to market themselves and seek opportunities to raise their professional profile. The finalists can also build a convoy of support with custom bumper stickers — a new addition to the marketing arsenal for 2018.

"The individual Facebook pages are an easy way for grand finalists to share aspects of their lives, whether it be moving to a new farm, drenching livestock, helping other farmers grow their businesses or volunteering in their communities," said NZ Young Farmers events and marketing manager Carolyn Bennett. "It also provides an opportunity for people who want to know more about where their food comes from to connect with some of New Zealand's best operators."

The finalists have the support of FMG, NZ Young Farmers and their local clubs, and are only limited by their imagination so long as they positively promote the rural sector and showcase themselves as young leaders in the industry.

Everyone who votes goes into the draw to win a Fitbit Surge and the winning finalist will also pick up $1000 for their Young Farmers region.

The People's Choice winner will be revealed at the grand final on Saturday, July 7.
¦The seven finalists are: Cameron Black — Aorangi; Patrick Crawshaw — East Coast; Dan Bradbury — Northland; Logan Wallace — Otago/Southland; Will Taylor — Taranaki/Manawatu; Andrew Wiffen — Tasman; Josh Cozens — Waikato/Bay of Plenty. Voting can be done by visiting www.fmg.co.nz/peopleschoice.