Success can be a ‘lousy’ teacher
Farming leaders have gone back to their communities armed with ways to lift the environmental performance of dairy farming after attending the Dairy Environment Leaders’ Forum.
About 100 farmers gathered in Wellington to focus on environmental issues affecting the dairy sector at the December event.
Having addressed issues on their own farms, the forum farmers were now getting out into their local communities to encourage other dairy farmers to also do the right thing, Matamata farmer and Dairy Environment Leaders’ chairwoman Tracy Brown said.
‘‘They are leading in the new style leadership which involves collaboration and inclusiveness,’’ she said.
‘‘They are purposeful and empowering, and stepping up around the country to inspire and influence to shape sustainable farming for the future generations, and to enhance the region they live in.’’
Dairy environmental leaders had to lead by example, Putaruru farmer Marilyn Baldwin said.
She said the forum was inspiring.
‘‘The forum’s vision is to support, develop and empower dairy farming leaders to lead positive change, shape a sustainable future for the dairy industry and enhance the communities we live in towards a better New Zealand.’’
The forum was also a chance for farmers to celebrate achievements.
By May, they would have excluded dairy cattle from all significant waterways and wetlands in the country with nearly 25,000 kilometres of fencing, Baldwin said.
She and husband Gray had planted more than 20,000 trees on their property, where they have developed wide riparian margins to help protect waterways.
They are also re-vegetating a major wetland area, which is being used to monitor data and showcase to farmers and the community ways to improve water quality.
The couple milk 1300 cows supplying Miraka, the Maori owned dairy company based near Taupo. Baldwin is on the advisory board for Transform Aotearoa and a facilitator for Shinegirl, a programme for vulnerable teens.
A keynote speaker was All Blacks psychologist Gilbert Enoka, who told farmers that life was about the discomfort zone and that success is a lousy teacher.
He urged farmers to set high challenges for themselves, to think clearly and do the work required to achieve them.
‘‘We set the All Blacks the challenge of being the most dominant team in the history of world rugby. In getting the right mindset heading into the last rugby world cup we told ourselves that we were not just going to defend the world cup, but that the All Blacks were going to win it.’’
Businesswoman Theresa Gattung said farmers had to develop a narrative around their role as food producers, similar to the stories being told by the ethical fashion designers that sourced materials and clothing from socially responsible and environmentally friendly suppliers.
She also urged clear thinking, saying ‘passion without intellect is a disaster, however, a marriage of will and heart equals magic’.
‘‘The forum's vision is to support, develop and empower dairy farming leaders to lead positive change.’’ Marilyn Baldwin