Growing farming's future
A programme providing school leavers with a viable career option in agriculture has seen student numbers soar in recent years.
Paul, who was director culture and wellbeing at Fonterra, will lead the GFF programme into the next phase of growth.
GFF provides specialised industry training for industry graduates to boost their career pathways.
Paul says what attracted her to the role was the chance to directly impact the industry at a point of strategic need.
“I’ve had 18 great years with Fonterra and have worked across the entire agrisector value chain,” she says.
“During that time, I’ve talked with many farming families around kitchen tables, and I’ve heard what matters to them.
“One thing has stayed with me: they are worried that the next generation of family don’t want to continue the tradition of farming.
“I saw more than a few tears over that potential break.
“That’s why I went for the CEO role at Growing Future Farmers. GFF is providing career pathways for succession and intergenerational stability in our farming communities. I want to help them do it.”
A solid foundation of progress already exists within GFF. From the original 2020 pilot programme involving 10 students, the 2022 intake stands at 60, and in 2023, 80 students are expected to take up placements on 80 farms in 10 regions across the country.
Further growth is needed and the GFF board believes Paul has the experience and credibility to take the programme through its next phase.
“Wendy has the team-building skills to lead our 10 regionally- based liaison managers,” says GFF board chair Brad Tatere.
“From her corporate experience, she knows how to maintain relationships with key stakeholders, and with GFF there are quite a few: students, farmers and farm managers, government departments and industry-based programme funders.
“A lot of people have to be on the same page for GFF to continue its growth and success. Wendy is the person to help them share the same purpose and work together.”
For Paul, the next phase of progression has several clear markers. To date, GFF has developed career pathways in sheep and beef, but an appetite for succession planning exists across other sectors. Paul knows the work of GFF has caught the attention of several industries.
“Succession planning is a problem across many sectors and dairy, horticulture and viticulture are saying, ‘Please bring your student development programme over here’.
“My role will be to help GFF upscale to meet these wider needs.”
During her 18 years in the agrisector, Paul has worked offshore with consumers and is adamant that New Zealand farming offers the world a unique value proposition: grass-fed, sustainable farming from a country that really does care about the land and the animals.
