Having taken up farming just seven years ago, my passion for this industry is undiminished. Last week when I was voted Federated Farmers' new national president, my thoughts did turn to how this would impact on my weekly farming routine. I plan to make time for both.
This new challenge will
present a steep learning curve but I am excited by the prospects for agriculture and the part Federated Farmers has to play in this. We have a largely new board, with a wide range of skills.
Our former president, Southland's Don Nicolson, stepped aside at last week's Federated Farmers national conference and annual meeting in Rotorua, leaving a lasting legacy from his three-year term.
In the lead-up to the four-way contest for the top role, delegates were aware that my skills and experience differed from the other contenders. I have lived longer in cities than rural, I have spent longer in banking than farming and I spend as much time working with trees as I do stock. I have also talked about a more "collaborative" approach to our advocacy and building stronger ties with urban communities.
The issues Federated Farmers deals with won't change but we will see a new approach. I am confident the broader skills and backgrounds of the new board members will make an impact for the good.
My interest in the environment remains strong, with ongoing involvement with the East Coast Ballance Farm Environmental Awards and the New Zealand Poplar and Willow Research Trust. It concerns me that many farmers aren't recognised for the work they do building sustainable and profitable farming businesses.
This needs to change but there are also some who aren't pulling their weight and need to improve on their efforts. Hopefully, the skills and experience gained from almost 20 years in finance prove useful in the years ahead.
