Nurture, assist, and encourage the current and future farmers within our sector, by developing their capability and building their potential as future industry leaders.
About the Generation Next Programme
Generation Next: Our future sheep and beef farmers' programme involves the delivery of three workshops over a six-month period with the following objectives:
- Understand the farm business – financial basics and management.
- Personal Development, goal setting, leadership basics and mentors.
- Develop better decision-making skills for farm business systems.
- Learn new technologies and ideas to take back on to farm.
- Develop good team culture within the workplace.
- Understand the overall industry goals and aims.
- Continued learning and connection through the Alumni programme post-graduation.
Programme requirements
- Free programme to all associated levy payers and their employees.
- Please note all travel and beverage expenses are at the participants own cost. All meals and some accommodation costs are covered.
- If you are a successful applicant for this programme, please note there will be a small amount of pre-work sent to you prior to the start of the programme.
Selection criteria
- Actively working on a sheep and beef or drystock property (associated levy payers).
- Willingness to learn new skills and understand the drivers to improving on farm profitability of the sheep and beef sector.
- Applications are to attend all three workshops (no single workshop attendance).
Apply now
- Applications open: December 12 2025.
- Applications close: February 20 2026.
Announcement of acceptance into the programme early March 2026.
Dates and locations
| Generation Next 2025 Dates |
B+LNZ Region | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern North Island (ENI) | Mid Northern North Island (MNNI) | Western North Island (WNI) | Northern South Island (NSI) | Central South Island (CSI) | Southern South Island (SSI) | |
| Module One | Date 23 – 24 April |
Date 9 – 10 April |
Date 30 – 31 March |
Date 1 – 2 June |
Date 3 – 4 June |
Date 4 – 5 June |
| Location Masterton |
Location Hamilton |
Location Fielding |
Location Christchurch |
Location Alexandra |
Location Gore |
|
| Module Two | Date 3 – 4 June |
Date 9 – 10 June |
Date 3 – 4 June |
Date 5 – 6 August |
Date 12 – 13 August |
Date 12 – 13 August |
| Location Palmerston North |
Location Hamilton |
Location Palmerston North |
Location Lincoln |
Location Dunedin |
Location Dunedin |
|
| Webinar | Location Online – North Island Team Run |
Location Online – South Island Team Run |
||||
| 7 May | 9 July | |||||
| Start Time 7 pm – 8.15 pm |
Start Time 7 pm – 8.15 pm |
|||||
| Module Three | Date 22 July |
Date 24 July |
Date 29 July |
Date 29 October |
Date 26 November |
Date 26 November |
| Location Havelock North |
Location Hamilton |
Location Bulls |
Location Ashburton |
Location Balclutha |
Location Balclutha |
|
Hear from past graduates
Saskia Rupp – 2024 graduate from the North Island intake
“I can confidently recommend the programme to anyone looking to expand their understanding, skills, and confidence across the board. It covers a wide range of topics, from financial literacy to understanding the demands of the international meat export market – gained through a walkthrough of a meat processing plant, followed by a conversation with the company CEO.”
Ashley Sim – 2024 graduate from the Southern South Island intake
"If you’re someone who wants to accelerate your learning in any aspect from pasture to plate, or simply someone who wants to get off farm and make new industry connections with a bit of learning on the side, then this programme is for you!"
Find out more
For all overall queries, please email [email protected].