More women in NZ Young Farmers Board

Woodville's Rebecca Brown is one of three women who have joined the New Zealand Young Farmers Board.

A technical farm manager with Ngai Tahu in Canterbury is one of three women who have joined the New Zealand Young Farmers Board, along with Woodville farmer and banker Rebecca Brown.

Ash-Leigh Campbell helps oversee management of the iwi corporation's eight dairy farms which milk about 8000 cows. The 27 year old was one of two New Zealand Young Farmers members elected at the board's annual meeting in Invercargill.

"I'm hugely passionate about the organisation and I want to continue giving back while I still can," said Ash-Leigh.

She has been joined by Wellington-based airline pilot Hannah Cameron, 28, who grew up on a dairy farm in the North Waikato.

"I ran for the board because governance has always interested me and NZ Young Farmers is a huge part of my life," said Hannah.

Woodville's Brown, 34, has also joined the board.

Rebecca chairs the contest committee which oversees the running of the prestigious FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

She was elected to the position on Sunday and is the first woman to hold the role.

"I'm really honoured. It's a cool feeling and shows women can do anything," said the mother of five.

"I love being on this side of the contest. My husband Angus Brown was a grand finalist in 2010. I've been around the contest for 15 years and we even convened a couple of regional finals as well," she said.

The changes mean half of NZ Young Farmers' eight-member board are now women. The fourth is appointed Dunedin-based director Sharon Angus.

"It shows we're leading the way in ensuring our board reflects our evolving membership base," said NZ Young Farmers Board chairman Jason Te Brake.