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.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.