Boost for TeenAg seen as vital investment

Boost for TeenAg seen as vital investment

Source: Federated Farmers

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Federated Farmers sees the $146,000 for TeenAg announced today as an investment in the nation’s future.

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye said the Government would contribute $50,000 towards the agriculture sector youth programme run by New Zealand Young Farmers. Another $96,000 in cash and in-kind support was coming from partners including Red Meat Profit Partnership, DairyNZ, Lincoln University and Southfuels & Northfuels.

Federated Farmers education and skills portfolio leader Rick Powdrell said if we’re to meet the goal of doubling exports by 2025, a vital component was boosting the number, and skills level, of young people choosing a career in the primary industries.

"We need quality and motivated people to drive productivity and efficiency goals and to deal with the increasingly complex technological advances in farming," Powdrell said.

"The dairy industry in particular is crying out for keen young Kiwis as we work to reduce our reliance on migrant labour.

"Leadership abilities are another key, and developing those skills is what TeenAg is all about," he said.

Kaye said TeenAg aimed to promote a positive picture of agriculture and raise awareness of agricultural careers from an early age.

The new funding partnership announced today would support around 500 more young people to participate in the programme, she said.

TeenAg consists of two core elements:

- Schools-based TeenAg Clubs, which provide a context to learn about agriculture and develop leadership and broader life skills.

- TeenAg competitions, which extend and challenge competitors outside their comfort zones to build character and leadership skills. These can be a stepping stone to participation in the high-profile and prestigious FMG Young Farmers competition when the students are older and working in the industry.

These and other programmes run by Young Farmers increasingly target city kids as well as those living in rural districts.

Rick Powdrell said a few decades ago "just about every young Kiwi probably had a relative or friend with a farm who could expose them to agriculture.

"Nowadays it takes an effort to ensure those who may otherwise not experience farming get chances to not only learn more about where the food on their plate comes from, but also to see the sector as offering really attractive, diverse and rewarding career options."

ENDS

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