Palmerston North to host new recruitment programme
A new programme designed to attract young talent into New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, accelerate career paths and sector change is rolling out for young women in tertiary study or training.
Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT) chair Linda Cooper has stepped down after three years serving the charitable trust.
As part of its succession planning and maturing governance model, trustees Murray Donald and Keri Johnston have been appointed as co-chairs and took up their roles on 1 June.
Cooper has served the trust since mid-2019, leading it through further growth and extension of its impact across the primary sector, from farms to boardrooms.
“We’ve come through some challenging times with the pandemic over the past couple of years as we committed to investing in our programmes, and our women and men to help meet the future needs of the primary sector,” she says.
“I am excited for the trust’s future with the new programmes rolling out, the continued support of our partners, new developing partnerships, and the talent around the board and staff tables.”
Cooper will continue her involvement with AWDT, the primary sector and women it works with through her role as a facilitator and coach on the trust’s Next Level leadership programme.
The appointment of longstanding AWDT trustee, Southland farmer and experienced governor Murray Donald, will ensure continuity on the board as it retains his strong financial and strategic skills.
Farmer, environmental consultant and natural resources engineer, Keri Johnston joined the AWDT board in 2021, bringing experience and skills from her role as chair of Irrigation NZ and vice chair of Timaru Girls High School. She is a graduate of AWDT’s Escalator leadership and governance programme.
As part of further succession plans and board progression, Jenni Vernon and Fi Dalgety will step down from the AWDT Board this year and the trust will recruit one more trustee.
This will reduce the total number of trustees from eight to five, including sitting trustees Anne-Marie Brougton and Poto Davies.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
New Zealand must continue to educate Chinese consumers about the unique qualities of its red meat products and how they differ from competitors, says Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton.
There are opportunities outside the farmgate for young farmers to further develop their skills, says 2025 Primary Industries Emerging Leader Award winner Bridie Virbickas.
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