First-time contestant crowned Northland's best
A Franklin dairy farmer has inched closer to national victory after being crowned Northland’s top young farmer.
The Northern representative has brought the trophy home to his region which hosted the Grand Final in Whangārei, after three days of challenges.
Waikato Bay of Plenty representative, and Dangen’s brother-in-law, Chris Poole, 27, came in runner-up.
Dunsandel Young Farmer Jonny Brown, age 31, representing Tasman came in third place.
The winner was announced at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Evening Show at McKay Stadium on Saturday night, taking home a prize pool worth over $75,000.
Beef farmer Dangen, age 30, also claimed the FMG People’s Choice Award and three out of five challenges.
He says he is overcome with emotion, exhausted, excited and relieved to have taken out the title.
“The competition within the Northern Region over the last five years has been so strong, so I just want to represent all those people well, keep the work up going forward and encourage young people to get amongst it,” he says.
It was Dangen’s first Grand Final after competing in four Regional Finals.
“I’ve met a bunch of good people, learnt a whole lot, got a lot of growth out of it. It’s just such a good advisory for the industry, I love this competition to bits,” he says.
He says competing against his brother-in-law, Poole, pushed him to keep going.
A dairy farmer from Te Kawa West, Poole also took home the award for the Agri-Skills challenge.
“It’s obviously not the result I came her for but I’m really stoked. I’ve said right from the start if me or Tim could do it, I’d be wrapped, so I’m really pumped that Tim won and I’m stoked to get second.”
“It’s really cool for our families who have spent so much time at Regional Finals over the years, it’s really exciting for everyone involved.”
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FMG Young Farmer of the Year 2022 runner-up Chris Poole. |
