Government Backs NZ Young Farmers Clubs Nationwide
The Government has announced $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) clubs across the country.
Agribusiness leader Lynda Coppersmith has been appointed the first woman chief executive of NZ Young Farmers, from October 1.
Coppersmith (48) is currently a senior account manager with the accounting software company MYOB in Christchurch.
“The more woman chief executives we have the better; diversity is important,” she says.
“If the primary industries are to meet growth targets, they must connect with young women.”
“I’m hoping my appointment and having Ash-Leigh chairing our board will send a positive signal to women about our sector,” she says.
She has spent the past six years in management positions at MYOB. Prior to that she worked for DairyNZ, was a business development manager for LIC and an area manager for Fonterra in Timaru.
“Lynda has great relationship building skills, excellent business acumen and experience dealing with grassroots farmer issues,” said NZ Young Farmers board chair Ash-Leigh Campbell.
“That will stand her in good stead working with our membership and the organisation’s other key stakeholders.”
Coppersmith is married with two teenage children. Her daughter Sophie attends Christchurch Girls’ High School and has friends in the school’s TeenAg club which is run by NZ Young Farmers.
Outside of work, Coppersmith likes to travel and study.
“We’ve spent a bit of time travelling through Southeast Asia and we’ve lived in Australia,” she says.
Coppersmith is completing an MBA through the University of Canterbury.
National’s pledge to introduce 19 new national standards shows the party is serious about getting Wellington out of farming, Federated Farmers says.
The National Party’s policies to make it easier to grow fresh vegetables, secure reliable water and energy and simplify farm planning are practical changes that will give growers the confidence to invest, according to Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).
Fonterra Co-operative Group chief financial officer Andrew Murray has resigned to take up a role outside the dairy giant.
A major move is about to get underway to improve the quality and viability of dairy beef and cattle in NZ.
Veterinarians say changes to the code of welfare for dairy cattle provides a positive foundation for improved cattle welfare across the country.
Today, 15 October, is the International Day of Rural Women, which recognises rural women’s contribution to farming, communities and the environment.
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