Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, Value Chain Innovation Programme applications open, Help meet the rising need for food support in Aotearoa, Involved with crossbred wool? Your perspective is valuable
This page contains this week’s e-diary national notices.
If there’s something you want to know specific to your region, contact your local extension manager – find their details here.
To sign up to e-diaries, create/login to a B+LNZ online account, go to ‘Account settings’ and select the e-diary box – you’ll be asked to pick which region/s you want to receive e-diaries for.
See elsewhere on our website for other e-diary info:
This week’s notices:
Mental Health Awareness Week 2026
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and this year’s theme is Belonging Matters. Life on the farm can be demanding and sometimes isolating. That’s why staying connected to the people around us matters more than we might realise. Take a moment to reach out to someone, attend a B+LNZ event for some time off farm, or simply make time for a yarn. You never know the difference it could make. More info and resources available here.
Value Chain Innovation Programme applications open
B+LNZ is a proud Programme Partner of Rural Leaders NZ. Applications are now open for the 2027 Value Chain Innovation Programme, running from 31 January to 6 February. Designed for operational, mid-level and senior leaders in the food and fibre sector, the five-day programme helps participants build strategic thinking skills, explore value chain innovation and connect with industry influencers. Applications close 22 November 2026. Find out more and apply on the Rural Leaders website.
Help meet the rising need for food support in Aotearoa
The need for food support continues to rise across NZ, and sheep and beef farmers can help. Meet the Need connects farmers with foodbanks across the country, providing nutritious, high-quality protein to families facing tough times. There are several ways you can get involved: donate livestock (virtually or directly through partnered suppliers: Silver Fern Farms, Alliance and Hazlett), donate virtually (make a cash donation) or spread the word. Find out more here. B+LNZ provides in-kind support to Meet the Need.
Involved with crossbred wool? Your perspective is valuable
B+LNZ Scholar Nic Ruddenklau is undertaking a Kellogg Rural Leadership programme, researching the topic of objective wool-shed testing and traceability for crossbred wool. She’s keen to hear from people across the industry on this topic – you can fill out the short survey here.