The winner of the Young Farmer of the Year Contest is Stuart McNaughton from the Tasman region. About 300 young men and women entered the contest earlier this year. Each region had one finalist. They each got good prizes. Then those seven finalists competed for three days in Gore, Southland, finishing last night.
They have to do many things in front of judges. They each had a 45 minute interview about themselves, farming, the community and the environment. Then they had a test where they had to answer all kinds of questions on sheep, dairy and deer farming and on growing crops like wheat. And they had to give a 3-minute speech. The second day was a practical day. They did not know what to expect until they opened their envelopes. Then they had to make a fence with a gate, plant trees, move sheep, build a mail box, cook venison (meat from a deer) and show first aid skills. This was a public day where people could watch. The last day finished on Saturday evening when again people could buy tickets and watch the show.
Stuart McNaughton is 26 years old. He said the contest was a mixture of hard work, study and physical fitness. He won prizes worth more than $100,000. They include a car, a 4-wheel farm bike, some money, outdoor power equipment like a chain saw, outdoor clothes, fertilizers, a scholarship to study at Lincoln University and to travel for three to four weeks to a partner university overseas.
Questions
What farming skills would you like to watch in a Young Farmer of the Year contest?
Do you think a good farmer needs to be able to make a speech?
Can you think of some questions they might be asked about the community?
Can you think of some questions they might be asked about the environment?
Why does NZ have a contest like this? Does your country have a contest for young farmers? |