Northlanders’ success at Farmers finals
Lisa Kendall is one of only four women to make it into the grand final of the Young Farmer of the Year by winning the Northern regional title on March 18.
The Northern region includes all clubs from South Auckland to Cape Reinga.
Kendall, 25, a first time entrant, won four of the five agrichallenge titles. The practical skills tests were held at Kamo High School on Saturday followed by an evening quiz night where general knowledge and agriculture related questions tested the stamina and nerves of all contestants.
Runner up Colin Beazley and third place getter Clement Lafon both have connections to Northland.
It is the third time Beazley, 29, has entered the competition, twice before winning fourth place.
Originally from the North Hokianga, Beazley initially studied accountancy before deciding on a career in dairy farming. Married with two children, he is a 50 /50 sharemilker at Wellsford and hopes to move to farm ownership.
Lafon, 25, grew up on a cropping farm in the southwest of France.
He completed an engineering degree before coming to New Zealand three years ago.
He initially planned to work as a mechanic, but fell in love with the dairy industry.
Lafon was competing for the second time in the contest.
He and his partner Anabelle are farm managers on a dairy farm in Kamo.
He says the best way to learn about farming in New Zealand is to take part in the competition.
Contest winner Kendall was raised on a lifestyle block at Karaka in south Auckland.
She worked with sheep and horses when she was young.
She has a diploma in agriculture and farm management and now manages her own farming support services business, Nurture Farming. She hopes to one day develop her own sheep milk brand.
She will contend for the grand champion in the final in Manawatu on July 6-8 against six other regional finalists.
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year sets a benchmark of excellence for young people in the agricultural industry.
The contest portrays New Zealand agriculture as a professional, credible industry that provides a wealth of career opportunities and remains the cornerstone of the nation’s economy.