ANZ Young Farmer Contest Season Opens

For Immediate Release 08/08/13

Young Farmers from around the country will be sharpening their agricultural skills over the coming weeks and months as entries are now open for the 2014 season of the ANZ Young Farmer Contest.

The competition gets underway Saturday 5th October with the first district finals held in Hororata, Glenmark and Massey University.

Over 300 Young Farmers are expected to contend in the district finals, the first round of the competition. The top eight contestants from each region will go through to their regional final and battle it out for their share of the $14,000 worth of prizes and a spot at the Grand Final where they will vie for the coveted title of ANZ Young Farmer Contest Champion and a piece of the $162,000 prize pool. The level of complexity and difficulty increases as the contestants progress from districts to regionals and finally to the Grand Final.

The seven Grand Finalists, one from each region, will meet in Christchurch 3rd-5th July 2014 for a gruelling few days of competition where contestants will be put through a diverse range of practical, theoretical and technical challenges covering all aspects of agriculture including an HR challenge and a business presentation. The Grand Final culminates in a live-televised show where the contestants are questioned on everything and anything.

The 2013 ANZ Young Farmer Contest Champion Tim Van de Molen had some advice for aspiring competitors looking to prepare: “It’s about getting out and getting involved in the industry and using those opportunities and connections to build your network and build your knowledge base”, he said.

The ANZ Young Farmer Contest is New Zealand’s Ultimate Rural Challenge. It inspires excellence, showcases the innovation and growth in the agriculture sector and helps develop young kiwi farmers become the leaders of tomorrow.

The Contest not only offers cash prizes and products from ANZ, Ravensdown, Silver Fern Farms, Honda, Vodafone and Husqvarna there are also several scholarships and awards for career development programs from AGMARDT and Lincoln University.

Contestants of all skill levels are encouraged to enter to improve their personal and agricultural skills and New Zealand Young Farmers CEO, Richard Fitzgerald stressed that it’s not all about winning. “The Contest is a great way to meet new people, learn some new skills, have a bit of fun and try something new,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

Entry for the ANZ Young Farmer Contest is open and free for all NZYF members between the ages of 15-31 (entrants must be under 31 years of age at 1st January 2014). For more information and a full schedule of events visit www.youngfarmercontest.co.nz or contact:

ENDS

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