Student Applications are now open! Closing date 31st July

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Learn to Farm, Grow Your Future

Growing the next generation of farmers

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Training for future farmers, by farmers, on farm.

Essential Farm Skills Programme

A two year programme providing a career pathway for farmers of the future

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Become a Farm Trainer

Provide practical skills, training and experience in agriculture for the next generation of farmers.

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Your exclusive Federated Farmers benefits

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Beef+Lamb New Zealand Awards

Winners of the 2024 Rabobank People Development Award

Become a farmer with our Essential Farm Skills Programme!

Our two-year programme (44 weeks each year starting mid-January to late Nov/early December), provides a career pathway for farmers of the future.

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Great Course benefits:

  • On farm placement

    On-farm placements across various regions of New Zealand.

  • Practical Training

    Practical on farm training and development

  • Course Benefits

    Access to subsidised gear, equipment and clothing pack, and two pups provided.

  • Qualifications

    NZQA New Zealand Certificates via EIT in  
    - Primary Industries (level 2 and 3)
    - Certificate in Agriculture (level 3) Meat and/or Fibre Strand

  • Student Support

    Regional student support from Student Success Advisors

  • Living Allowance

    Weekly living allowance provided

Become a Farm Trainer

Farm trainers take a student on the two-year programme to give them practical skills, training and experience in agriculture.

  • Students live and train on farm as part of the farm trainers team for the duration of the course
  • Student Success Advisor’s work with Farm Trainers and Students to support the training.
  • Students are on courses approx. one day per week and will be on farm training and building experience four days per week.
  • Farm trainers host some training of the regional group and attend regular meetings with Student and Student Success Advisors.

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Programme Info

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Testimonials

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FAQs

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Get involved today

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Raising the industry standard of fit for work, educated and reliable farm students.

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Our News

Discover the latest updates and resources for aspiring farmers! Stay engaged and learn how to kickstart your farming journey with practical skills and support from experienced professionals. Join us in cultivating a new generation of skilled farmers!

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Listen to The Country-Wide Podcast

15 Nov 2024

Listen to The Country-Wide Podcast

Episode 47 - How do we encourage young people into farming? Keeping young people engaged in the farming industry is vital to the long term success of our sector.

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Growing Future Farmers Continue Work To Grow Program

15 Aug 2024

Growing Future Farmers Continue Work To Grow Program

Growing Future Farmers (GFF) is running three in-person experience days across the country to attract new students and potential farm trainers for the 2025 program.

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Growing Future Farmers CEO Wendy Paul

5 Aug 2024

Growing Future Farmers CEO Wendy Paul

Dom talks with Wendy Paul, CEO of Growing Future Farmers about its upcoming open days, its two-year programme and what's involved in being a Farm Trainer.

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