Joanna Hoogenboom

Coming to the end of her time at Central Hawkes Bay College, Joanna knew she wanted to work with agriculture, but was determined to maintain her love for environmental studies.

The ability to pair a Bachelor of Environmental Management with courses on agriculture made Lincoln University a “no brainer” for her.

Joanna now works as an Agronomist at Pāmu Farms, also known as Landcorp Farming. The state owned enterprise operates 110 farms across New Zealand, ranging from Dairy, Deer, sheep and beef and horticulture. 

She’s out there helping farm managers with fertiliser and cropping plans, boosting pasture performances, managing crop activities, supporting financial analysis and helping make smooth changes to farm systems. It’s the perfect position for somebody who wants to make a difference and adores being outdoors.

She’s proud to be working in the industry and sees a lot of potential for other women in the agriculture sector.

“It’s pretty cool to see some of my female friends from Lincoln working in the sector as well and taking it to new heights.

“I have even had the opportunity to work alongside some during my career, making those connections even more meaningful.”

Joanna wants to keep building a strong foundation within the agricultural sector. The learning hasn’t stopped just because she’s graduated.

“I want to be part of a team that challenges each other to grow and develop innovative solutions for the industry.

“Ultimately, my goal is to give back by passing on my knowledge and passion to the next generation, ensuring they have the same opportunities that I’ve had.”

She made the most of her time at Lincoln, becoming involved with groups like Lincoln Young Farmers and the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management. These allowed her to learn directly from others and provided valuable connections for her future career.

Aside from the wealth of opportunities, Joanna loved how practical her classes were and how much choice she had in selecting her courses.

“The flexibility made it easy to tailor my courses to include agricultural studies and major in water management. What was most valuable was the combination of practical experiences and networking opportunities at Lincoln.

“Field trips to farms and businesses were instrumental in exposing me to the various pathways within the sector.”

Joanna looks back fondly at her time studying at Lincoln and described it as “incredibly rewarding”.

“Living in Centennial Hall was a highlight—it felt like a home away from home. With all the halls nearby, it was easy to meet students from different degrees.

“The most enjoyable aspect of my study was being surrounded by grounded, like-minded individuals who have now become lifelong friends.”