Accolade for Te Puke Young Farmers

Te Puke Young Farmers members, from left, Daniel Anders, Natalie Cameron, Tayla Keane, Jen Russ, Andre Meier at the Waikato/BOP Young Farmers Ball where the club was named club of the year.

Te Puke's Young Farmers' drive to become a more active club has landed it with an award.

Te Puke Young Farmers was named best club in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty area recently.

Chairman Andre Meier says it is good to be recognised for all the work that has been put into running the club in recent years.

Club members meet up socially once a month and there are also monthly farm yarns — where members meet in different farms to "have a look and share each other's ideas and systems." says Andre.

"A lot of the guys in Young Farmers are quite young and a lot are farm assistants and haven't been on a lot of other farms, so it's quite a good eye opener for them.

"We are trying to get education into the guys as well as having fun and we finish with a barbecue."

Members regular have the opportunity to visit farm related businesses, also to learn, and help out with under 18s with an interest in agriculture through Ag Teens.

One of the club's recent initiatives was to hold a reunion.

Memories and reminiscing were triggered for older members through a display of old photographs.

"Some of the older boys getting quite excited about photos they are in and looking back. Once a Young Farmer always a Young Farmer."

Andre says the event also drew interest from a number of potential new members.

The club is seeking sponsorship at different levels and also fundraises through doing silage stacks or hay pick up for farmers who pay the club for doing the work.

Anyone wanting to find out more can contact Andre on 021 0222 5566.