No skill is more important than the ability to feed yourself and this was just one of the skills B+LNZ’s Generation Next students learnt in the course’s final module, Meat Appreciation.
COVID-19 disruptions meant the third and final module was delayed until January of this year. Normally it would have been held in November 2020.
The one-day module started with a visit to Ashburton Meat Processors which process livestock for the domestic market.
This was followed by a session on nutrition, tips and tricks for busy farmers, delivered by former Masterchef contestant and owner of Twentyfour catering Chantelle Quinn.
Chantelle also demonstrated just how quick it is easy it is to whip-up a highly nutritious meal – naturally based on beef or lamb.
“Quick and easy doesn’t necessarily mean burgers and chips. Get those nutrients into your body so next morning you are rearing to go.”
Following a delicious lunch, also prepared by Chantelle, the farmers learnt about export markets and strategy, the importance of insurance risk and assessment and environmental issues.
The evening function featured guest speaker agricultural journalist, Sally Rae discussing the agricultural sector from a media’s perspective.
Reflecting back on what he had learnt over the six-month course, Te Pirita farmer Samuel Hobson says he has benefitted most from the financial-focused module, but says he has learnt something from every part of the course.
Samuel says he enrolled in the six-month course to grow his knowledge and meet people at a similar age and stage to him.
South Canterbury farmer and self- confessed techno-phobe Michael Bolton says he has particularly enjoyed the on-line learning.
“It’s something I’ve been hiding from but it’s something I need to implement on-farm.”
He says the course has met all his expectations.
“It’s been really good.”
Generation Next was the brainchild of B+LNZ’s Southern South Island Extension manager Olivia Ross and she made it a reality with the support of the Southern South Island Farmer Council.
Launched in Southland in 2015, the programme has extended north and now covers all of the South Island.
Twenty applicants from each of the three South Island regions are selected every year.
Olivia believes Generation Next’s success is due to it being a technical programme for practical people while focusing on their goals and aspirations.
“The commitment is minimal and the payback for the time they invest is priceless. It’s been humbling to see the programme sell itself.”
Applications open for the 2021 intake on 19 February.
For more information go to https://beeflambnz.com/your-levies-at-work/blnz-generation-next-programme