FMG and New Zealand Young Farmers is pleased to announce the country’s leading rural insurer as the new principal sponsor of the Young Farmer of the Year contest.

The competition will now be known as FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

The contest is the country’s preeminent rural challenge, pitting contestants in battles around agricultural knowledge, people and practical skills and mental fortitude.  All qualities and attributes needed to be successful in farming today.

“For us Young Farmers embraces so much of what’s great about farming in this country.  It promotes taking calculated risks, innovation, competition, collaboration and idea-sharing, leadership and achievement” says FMG Chief Executive, Chris Black.

“Young Farmers has a wonderful tradition, dating back to the mid-1930’s – and interestingly FMG has been there from the outset, supporting Young Farmers get established in various ways in the early days – so it’s fitting to be rekindling the relationship” says Mr Black.

“FMG’s roots are firmly grounded across the rural sector and to have them on board is a perfect match for us” says Terry Copeland, Chief Executive New Zealand Young Farmers.

“FMG is a well-respected rural organisation and is genuinely passionate about not only supporting us to enhance the competition but to also support young men and women to achieve great things in agriculture.

“This passion is referenced by the fact they want to be a hands-on sponsor. They’ve already rolled up their sleeves and sat around the table with us to start building on the great work that has gone on previously.  I think this attitude says it all about their spirit and commitment to fostering achievement and leadership within the sector.” says Mr Copeland.

“Supporting Young Farmers fits with a wider programme FMG has on backing young people in the primary sector.  We have an intake of university graduates every year, offer scholarships to school leavers looking to study agricultural degrees and are centrally involved with the prestigious Kelloggs and Nuffield programmes” says Mr Black.

“Put simply, partnering with Young Farmers is a natural fit for FMG as it allows us to actively participate in supporting the growth and development of NZ’s younger generation of farmers.

“Everyone at FMG is excited by the news we’ll be closer aligned with Young Farmers. We’re looking forward to working with Terry and his team to showcase to New Zealanders right across the board the young talent we have in agriculture in this country” says Mr Black.

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