Lincoln University and Rural Leaders offer new prize to Young Farmer winner

Lincoln University and New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) have teamed up to offer the winner a place on the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, which has been developing leaders for the rural and agri-food sector since 1979.

The programme is delivered by Rural Leaders primarily on the Lincoln campus, but also includes time in Wellington to examine the political context around leadership and the chance to meet key decision makers, including ministers.

The partnership between Lincoln and Rural Leaders is an opportunity to offer a prize that will benefit not only the winner as they progress their career, but also the food and fibre sector through the growth of a young leader whose outstanding agricultural skills and knowledge are already evident.

Lincoln is a proud sponsor of the competition and as a specialised land-based university, also has a long history of growing leaders in the agricultural sector.

University staff help administer the Young Farmers event, through setting challenges for competitors, and Lincoln alumni consistently make the finals.

The 2023 edition is no different, with three of the competitors, Pat Crashaw, Peter O'Connor and Lisa Kendall, boasting Lincoln degrees or diplomas, while current Lincoln student Nick O'Connor (Peter's sibling) will also be battling it out in Timaru from 6-8 July.

 The 2023 FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Finalists.