The New Zealand Young Farmers Club has been part of rural communities for nearly 100 years. Photo / 123rf
Kem Ormond takes a look at the world of farming back in the day. In this week’s Pastures Past, she’s found newspaper articles from 1937 to 1940 on Young Farmers’ clubs.
The New Zealand Young Farmers movement began in 1927, when the first club was established in Feilding, Manawatū.
Its purpose was to provide education, social connection, and practical support for young men working in agriculture.
Following World War II, the Country Girls’ Club emerged as a parallel organisation, and in 1972 the two groups amalgamated to form the Federation of Rural Youth.
The organisation was renamed the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs in 1973, and eventually became New Zealand Young Farmers in 2003.
Today, it continues to support and develop young people involved in agriculture and rural industries throughout New Zealand.
The New Zealand Young Farmers Club has been part of rural communities for nearly 100 years, with the iconic Young Farmer of the Year contest running since 1969.
Below is a selection of historical stories from the Te Puke Times (1937), Central Hawke’s Bay Press (1938), New Zealand Herald (1939), and Pahiatua Herald (1940).
Opening of club room
Te Puke Times, March 25, 1937
A very enjoyable evening was spent in the local Club rooms, Security buildings on Friday evening last, when the Te Puke branch of the Young Farmers’ Club entertained young farmers and their friends on the occasion of the opening of the Club Rooms.
Mr D. S. Ross (President) and Mr Mutton (Chairman) welcomed the visitors and specially mentioned their indebtedness to Mr Cuff for placing the rooms at the Club’s disposal.
The evening was spent in table tennis, draughts, and chess.
Mr C. Walker, Instructor in Agriculture, gave a very interesting address on Clubs and their progress and discussed the itinerary of the proposed tour of the North Island by the Young Farmers’ Clubs of the Bay of Plenty.
Mr 0. Thomas, on behalf of the Paengaroa Young Farmers’ Club, thanked the Te Puke Club for the invitation to attend the opening of the Club’s rooms and wished the Club every success.
A bounteous supper served by the hosts brought the evening to a close.
Central Hawke’s Bay Press, 8 October 1938
Some 24 young farmers from the Tikokino district, and cadets from the Smedley Estate, at a meeting on Wednesday decided on the formation of a Young Farmers’ Club to serve the district.
There were also a few older farmers present.
Mr H. Eddy, in opening the meeting, introduced Mr J. W. Palmer, district organising secretary.
Mr Palmer then took the chair and addressed the meeting, outlining the objects of the Young Farmers’ Club organisations.
Officers were elected as follows:– Advisory president, Mr R. N. Orr, R.D., Waipawa; chairman, Mr S. J. Rumbal, Tikokino; secretary, Mr H. Eddy, Tikokino; treasurer, Mr M. R. Bishop, Smedley Estate, Tikokino; committee: Messrs. P. Coupton-Smith, S. Harvey, I. H. Henderson, T. Addis, C. Eddy, J. Robison, C. Williams.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Eddy moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Palmer for ably organising the formation of the club.
This was seconded by Mr. Rumbal, senr.
Mr. Palmer replied and thanked Mr. E. R. Roach, secretary of the Farmers’ Union, who had assisted him in submitting the names of the young farmers in the district.
Also, a vote of thanks and appreciation was accorded Mr. Roach for his kind offer of paying for the hire of the hall for the Young Farmers’ Club’s first meeting.
Franklin Club formed
New Zealand Herald, March 20, 1939
The formation of the Franklin Young Farmers’ Club was decided upon at a meeting held at Drury under the auspices of the Drury branch of the Farmers’ Union.
There was an attendance of 50 farmers and farm workers, and the meeting was addressed by Mr. C. Walker, secretary of the Auckland provincial council of the Young Farmers’ Club movement.
It was stated that the membership of the movement was increasing and that all farmers or farm workers under the age of 30 years were eligible to join.
There was unanimous agreement on the desirability of having a club in the district, and the young farmers present, to the number of 17, agreed to join.
The following officers were elected:—Advisory president, Mr. Athol Wood; advisory members, Messrs. J. Paterson, W. Bremner and F. Appleby; club chairman, Mr. C. Wood; secretary, Mr. R. W. Franke; treasurer, Mr. A. Franke.
Inter-district stock judging.
Pahiatua Herald, May 4, 1940
Recently, an inter-district Young Farmers’ Club stock judging championship was held.
Competing against ten teams, the Southern Hawke’s Bay team gained fourth place.
One of the members of this team, Mr George Cotter, of the Mangatainoka Young Farmers Club, won the cup for judging beef cattle with a Young Farmers’ Club record of 175 points out of a possible 180.
- Source: Papers Past