Passion for learning shaped Young Farmer finalist

The 25-year-old Lincoln Alumnus was named Aorangi FMG Young Farmer of the Year and is striving to take the title of national champion at the Grand Final this week.

The Pleasant Point farmer acts as Agri Manager for Ravensdown, working with about 150 farms and recommending fertilisers to ensure their soil is healthy.

It has been a long road for Gareth, who studied a Bachelor of Agriculture straight out of high school with the goal of getting a base knowledge of the industry and having a bit of fun.

“I certainly got more than that.”

He left university with a “really good grounding of all things agriculture” and the knowledge of how to skilfully learn.

“I really did enjoy it. I’m still employing those skills.

“I’d be a massive advocate for anyone thinking about going to Lincoln.”

He admitted his grades were not the best, but while studying found he enjoyed learning and wanted to continue doing so outside the classroom.

After graduating Gareth moved to Australia to work on a sheep and crop farm. He later returned to New Zealand and worked with deer in the Ashburton Gorge.

Although the end goal was to continue farm work, he wanted to diversify his knowledge in as many fields as possible, which is what led him to working at Ravensdown.

“I saw the opportunity to learn more outside the farm gate and on more than just one farm.”

He loved working widely across the industry and attributes his success to the skills he learnt while studying.

Now in preparation for the Grand Final he was making sure to meet with experts and spend time studying agricultural theory every week.

“Understanding high level content and finding what’s relevant is one of the great skills you learn at Lincoln.”

The Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final will be held in Hamilton from July 11-13. The winner will be announced on Saturday July 13.

Watch the Livestream of the Grand Final on Saturday night on the NZ Young Farmers website:

Grand Final Season 56: Livestream