Congratulations to the 2025 B+LNZ Rural Leadership Scholarship recipients

For Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer Richard Cameron, the scholarship is a step towards his goal of farm ownership. With years of experience in farm management, Cameron is aware of the challenges farm employees face with career progression and ownership pathways. His research will focus on performance-based incentives, seeking ways to align employee and farm owner goals, promoting retention and productivity across the sector.

Te Kuiti farmer Natasha Cave co-manages Rotowai Farms and serves as the catchment coordinator for the Whanganui Region Catchment Collective. Cave’s research will examine how new technologies, like wearable devices, can enhance productivity in New Zealand’s beef industry. She’s especially interested in ways to encourage the adoption of wearables among farmers to maximise their impact.

The newly launched scholarship is a key part of B+LNZ’s refocused People & Capability workstream, dedicated to fostering on-farm leadership and enabling innovation and information transfer across the sector.

Olivia Weatherburn, B+LNZ National Extension Programme Manager, says she is excited about the scholarship’s potential.

“We look forward to seeing the impact of Richard and Natasha’s findings from completing the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. We believe their work will offer valuable insights for farmers and the wider sector.”

As an alumni, Weatherburn says the programme is more than just a research project. “The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme goes beyond just research – it challenges participants, connects them with like-minded leaders and opens doors that can make a significant difference in careers,” she says.

Recipients will share their learning outcomes at a series of B+LNZ events, ensuring that farmers have access to the insights and that the knowledge gained contributes to the growth and success of all B+LNZ levy payers.

ENDS

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