Category: Farmers stories
Managing fatigue
There are only so many hours in a day, so when life gets really busy on farm having a strategy to manage fatigue is vital.…
A Hawke’s Bay shearing legend
One Tuesday evening recently, Colin Watson-Paul was busy teaching a group of women how to shear, when, much to his surprise, a TV crew walked…
Back in the saddle
When poor health impacted Vicky O’Connor’s ability to work on farm, she picked up a camera and started her photography career again. Now she’s sharing…
Lessons learnt from gruesome accident
Bay of Plenty dairy farmer Paul Walker counts his lucky stars he only lost one finger and not his whole hand in a grisly accident…
Focusing on the positive during the drought
The recent drought was super stressful for central Hawke’s Bay farmers Megan and Howard Petersen, but their diversified farming business helped cushion the economic blow.…
The key to unlocking time off the farm
Aspen Farm’s Olivia Doonan has a great trick up her sleeve to ensure her family gets regular breaks off the farm. She books a family…
Learning to roll with it
After eight years farming, with three years sharemilking, Stu Davison has taken on a fresh challenge working as a dairy analyst. He shares what farming…
Helping kids through tough times
A new children’s book designed to generate discussion about mental health in rural communities is proving a hit with schools. ‘Use Your Voice’ tells the…
Great turnout for Farmstrong fundraiser
A speed shear event organised by the Pendarves Young Farmers in Canterbury has raised more than $5,000 for nationwide, rural wellbeing initiative Farmstrong. Bridget McFadden,…
A different philosophy
Drought-hit Northland farmer Mark Meyer has an approach to farming that helps him get through even the toughest times. Mark milks 400 cows on…
Filling the fountain
Juggling farm work and family responsibilities is a challenge many rural women face. Taranaki sharemilker and 2019 ‘Dairy Woman of the Year’ winner Trish Rankin…
Wednesdays with a difference
When the world went into lockdown, the overseas staff on Waikirikiri Farm Canterbury dairy farm were a long way from home. The Reeds decided it…