From the messages we have received, staff and our community have followed the progress and success of Mac Williams and Jack Coakley who were awarded the title of Junior Young Farmer of the Year last Friday.

During the day there were a few ups and downs for the lads as they moved off and on the top five leader board, but they held their cool and ended up as the top qualifier for the buzzer round. They then spent a few hours cramming some agriculture general knowledge and pacing to calm their nerves. They competed really well in the live buzzer round and managed to keep their top spot and were crowned the Junior Young farmer winners for 2020.

I am really proud of the boys and the effort they put in during the week to complete all the components and the hard work and determination they have shown to achieve their goal. 

Some of the tasks they had to complete included:

• Building a compost bin
• Completing an innovation project where decide on the best use of a 250ha blank canvas farm in a current market. They had to do a business plan include an annual budget and cashflow and do a presentation on why the bank should lend them the money.
• Presenting a speech on government policy around regulations on water quality and greenhouse gases
• Doing a written exam consisting of general knowledge, water usage calculations and an essay
• Completing seven modules run but FMG, Ministry of Primary Industries, Ravensdown, Lincoln Uni. Massey Uni, Worksafe, and New Holland.

As many of you may remember from when Angus Grant and Nick O’Connor won this same competition two years' ago, this is a significant achievement.

See the link below for further information on the NZ Young Farmers TeenAg page.

http://www.teenag.co.nz/latest-news/2020-fmg-junior-young-farmer-of-the-year-winners-announced/

Mr John McPhail
Teacher