New Feds VP Ready To Work For Farmers
Newly appointed Federated Farmers vice president Sandra Faulkner says she is honoured and excited to hold the role.
HELP IS needed to pack and distribute food hampers to agencies working with Christchurch’s most vulnerable people in what Federated Farmers says will be the Farmy Army’s last operation.
“This time doesn’t it require a shovel. Instead, we need help to pack fresh food hampers,” says Helen Heddell, Federated Farmers Farmy Army’s coordinator of catering.
“If you can help us this Friday, we’re asking people to go to one of two locations. If coming from the north, please head straight to New Brighton by 10.30am. We’ll be operating from the Roy Stokes Hall carpark, which is opposite New Brighton Police Station.
“If you’re coming from the south, east or west, please meet at the Riccarton Racecourse’s main driveway before 10am. We need help there to freight the frozen meat and the home baking we’ve received to the New Brighton Police Station.”
Heddell says that in August organisers thought Farmy Army had completed its last mission after delivering Sunday roasts with meat donated by Alliance Group and vegetables donated by farmers from around Ashburton.
“[But] such has been the true spirit of Christmas that we started planning for this last operation... As word got out the volume of donated food grew and grew.”
Federated Farmers, Rural Woman New Zealand, Young Farmers, the Student Volunteer Army and the New Brighton Police have been putting food packs together during the week.
“Unlike August, we’re now delivering food packs to agencies who will then get them to those most in need. What the Farmy Army wants to encourage is the same spirit of community we share in rural New Zealand.
“We hope recipients will ask their neighbours and family over to share their Christmas. Now is the perfect time to move forward, help each other and bolster our Canterbury spirit.”
Federated Farmers Farmy Army acknowledges the support of Alliance Group, Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust, Ashby Meats, the Mad Butcher and CQ Printing.
Amber Davy has won the 2026 Canterbury Young Grower regional title.
Carey Pawson-Edwards, a South Canterbury stock manager, has been named the winner of the 2026 Rabobank Management Project Award.
Nominations are now open for two directorships on the Ravensdown Board and will close at 5pm, Friday 24 July 2026.
AMINZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have partnered to develop a new Farm Debt Mediation video series aimed at farmers, creditors, and advisors.
Taranaki is preparing to welcome the country’s top young farmers for one of rural New Zealand’s most anticipated events.
Horticulture New Zealand’s Board has welcomed the re-election of grower-elected directors Alistair Petrie and Doug Brown.

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