Thursday, 06 August 2026 08:55

Farm2Future Camp Opens Students' Eyes to Agribusiness Careers

Written by Staff Reporters

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Visit to Oakley’s Premium fresh Vegetables – Robin Oakley second from right at ground level

Twenty five secondary school students from around New Zealand recently completed a three day residential programme designed to explore career opportunities across the food and fibre production supply chain.

Held last month, the Farm2Future educational camp, funded by Rabobank and run by Lincoln University, brought togethr Year 12 students from 20 schools nationwide.

During the programme, participants visited a range of agribusinesses throughout Canterbury, including Rakaia Island Dairy Farm, Oakley's Premium Fresh Vegetables, PGG Wrightson, Original Foods, Zentera Wool Company, and Foodstuffs.

Students also attended a presentation by Sudeley Angus and Sheep Stud, heard from a panel of young agribusiness professionals about their roles and career pathways, and toured Lincoln University to gain further insight into agricultural education.

Rabobank Upper South Island client council chair and Oakley's founder Robin Oakley said Farm2Future was originally developed by Rabobank and Lincoln University in response to a need to raise awareness of the diverse career opportunities available within New Zealand's food and fibre sector among secondary school students.

More like this

NZ Milk Price Could Hit $10/kgMS as Global Supply Eases

A 'tsunami' of milk from key exporting countries is winding down and this may be good news for New Zealand dairy farmers.

Arable ROI Crisis: Why Canterbury Farmers Are Moving On

Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.

NZ Arable Farmers Warn of Mass Exodus From Sector

A warning for New Zealand seed and grain companies – be prepared for an exodus of farmers from the arable sector.

Canterbury Farmer Builds on 160 Years of Dairy Legacy

Gareth Hale is the current custodian of a 160-year legacy that saw his great grandfather dairying in Taranaki since the mid-1850s and grandfather dairying in the Waikato from the early 1900s.

Rabobank: China Quotas, Brazil Risk to Reshape Beef Trade

Chinese beef trade quotas and a looming suspension of Brazilian beef imports into the European Union are expected to reshape global beef trade flows over the remainder of 2026, with implications for New Zealand exporters, according to Rabobank's Q3 Global Beef Quarterly report.

Featured

2027 NZ Dairy Industry Awards Open for Entries

Entries opened on Monday, 5 October 2026 for the 2027 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA), which organisers describe as the nation's biggest celebration of excellence in the dairy sector.

Ah Tatua, You've Done It Again!

Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.

Labour Vows to Change Tact on How to Handle Freshwater Rules

A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.

India FTA Unites NZ First, Greens

National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.

2026-27 Fishing Season Opens Across New Zealand

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.

CODC Rejects Plan to Spread Sludge on Lauder Farmland

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.