Before starting Gateway this year I knew I wanted to look at a job with a farming background after working on a farm over the summer break. I also wanted to look at other jobs that work with farmers everyday.

The careers I researched and trialed taster days in were farming and specifically crop farming, contracting, and stock agent. I really enjoyed them all but coming into the winter it was the off season and nothing much was happening.  I also wanted to have a look at other careers before making a decision

After all of these taster days I was a bit unsure how I was going to fill in the time over the off season and make something work. During that time I went out with a Ravensdown representative for a day to see what they do. It was interesting but the job wasn’t really what I wanted to do. After that I went and had a look at a different crop farm and I really enjoyed it, they had more happening and a lot of different jobs which hooked me in.

After all my taster days I decided to go with a crop farm and have a Gateway placement with Rathgen Farms. I enjoy how no two days are the same and I enjoy working outside with machines. At my workplace I drive tractors, help with general maintenance, sweep and clean out sheds that have been holding grains and fertilisers, and other general farm tasks.

My Learning Plan involves me completing standards with Telford - Southern Institute of Technology. During class time I work on Telford papers that are based on different farming practices. At the moment I am working on one about fertilisers. The units I complete count towards a future qualification including an agricultural apprenticeship.

My plans for next year are to go to Lincoln University and do a Diploma in Agriculture. I will continue to work in the farming industry for a long time and want to travel overseas and work on big crop farms in Australia, Canada and the States once it's safe.