Stall grows business to new heights
For Kumeu grower Frank Argent, opening a produce stall on site has been the best business decision of his life.
Each finalist represents a different region of New Zealand and they come from a variety of backgrounds.
Representing the northern region is Ian Douglas, 30, a dairy farmer from Whangarei. He is the current chairman of the Whangarei Young Farmers Club and placed second in last year's Northern Regional Final. Douglas also took home the honour as Northland Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year.
The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Grand Finalist is Tim Van de Molen, 30, from the Hamilton City Young Farmers Club. He works in Hamilton as an agri-manager for ANZ, owns a farm and has spent time with the NZ Army. Molen holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology. He was also runner up in the 2011 Grand Final.
From the Taranaki/Manawatu Region is Cam Brown. The 30-year-old works as a lower order sharemilker south of Pahiatua and he is a member of the Fitzherbert Young Farmers Club. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in agri-business and AgITO Level 4 in production management. Brown was also a Grand Finalist in 2011.
Dairy farmer, Aaron Passey, 31, is the East Coast Grand finalist. He has been a member of Young Farmers for seven years and is the current Ballance Club chairman. He lives in Dannevirke and his hobbies include hunting, riding motorbikes and spending time with his family. He also won the Ballance Club annual clay bird shoot in 2012.
Twenty nine-year-old Reuben Carter, is from the Tasman Region. He is a graduate trainee with a seed company in Christchurch. He recently graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Agriculture. Carter enjoys stock judging, hunting, rodeos, flying – he is working on his pilot's licence – and he is active in competitive wood chopping; he competes at most agricultural shows around the country. This will be his first Grand Final.
First time Grand Finalist is 26-year-old Matthew Bell, representing the Aorangi Region. Bell currently works as a dairy farm manager in Mayfield with 1100 cows on 300ha and one day hopes to own a large sheep and beef farm. He is a member of the Hinds Young Farmers Club and enjoys refereeing rugby, snowboarding, cricket and mountain biking. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agriculture.
Representing Otago/Southland is Dean Rabbidge, 27. He is a manager on his family's sheep, beef and dairy farm near Wyndham and his interests include rugby, hunting, and mountain biking. Rabbidge is the current chairman of the Wyndham Young Farmers Club and regional vice-chairman for Otago/Southland. He has a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture from Lincoln University. Rabbidge is well travelled and has spent time working a harvest in the UK and indoor lambing in Wales.
The Grand Final events begin Thursday, May 17, 4pm with the official opening at Aotea Square. Friday, May 18 is the Practical Day, held at Kumeu Showgrounds. Entry to the showgrounds is gold coin donation. Friday evening sees the black-tie ANZ Grand Final Dinner, held at the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron. The competition continues on Saturday, May 19 with a closed door exam in the morning and the evening show at TVNZ studio 3 and a live-feed broadcast, seated dinner and celebration ball for audiences at SkyCity.
Tickets for all these events are still available at www.youngfarmers.co.nz
