What's involved in being a Farm Trainer?
All our farm trainers show a desire to educate and train their students. They are patient, empathetic, friendly with an encouraging disposition and willingness to upskill their own attributes.
Curious about what's involved in being a Farm Trainer?
What’s involved in being a Farm Trainer?
Over the course of the two year programme, each student is partnered with an experienced farm trainer who provides one on one mentorship both in the paddock and behind the scenes. These trainers guide learners through hands on tasks—everything from livestock handling and machinery operation to pasture management—while also teaching essential life skills like time management, teamwork, and problem solving.
The programme is
supported by
Live in training:
Students join your farm team and live on site four days a week (with one day dedicated to off farm coursework). Student Success Advisors liaise with you and your student to ensure ongoing support and smooth progress.
Group sessions & progress reviews:
You may get the opportunity to host regional training workshops for your cohort and will attend Quarterly Progress Meetings with your student and their Success Advisor to celebrate achievements, set new goals, and conduct living environment check ins.
Mutual benefits:
Mentoring students offers fresh perspectives on your own farming practices—often sparking improvements in efficiency, health & safety, and technique. You’ll also develop your leadership and coaching skills, enjoy professional growth, and rediscover the rewarding purpose of nurturing the next generation of farmers.
Requirements of a Farm Trainer
Provide fully-furnished on-farm accommodation - with power, heating and WiFI
Supply the student with a heading pup and a huntaway in their first year.
Weekly Sponsorship allowance
Practical On-farm training alongside your existing team
Respectful, open-minded mentor
I got involved with GFF because I saw a need to provide more young people the opportunity to enter the sheep, beef and deer industry. It is immensely rewarding having these young people start with little to no farming skills and then see them progress, develop and grow as people to become valuable contributors to the team and the business. It is a real win-win that delivers meaningful outcomes to the student and the farm business.
Dan Jex-Blake, Mangapoike
Testimonials
Growing young people
Ann and I are really proud to be farm trainers in the GFF programme, over the last 4 years. Growing young people who want to be part of our sheep and beef industry is
something we are all responsible for and should be part of. We totally believe
in the GFF programme and the wonderful people it develops. So much so, we have
just employed one!
Al Reeves, GFF Farm Trainer
Build Staff Talent
I see GFF as a great pathway to build staff talent in the industry, giving keen young people the chance to be immersed in your farm business for two years.
Kevin Ramsey, GFF Farm Trainer
The pride and the payoff
Farm trainer Richard Subtil shares the pride and payoff of mentoring GFF students through their two-year journey. Growth like Ella’s - on the land, with her dogs, and in herself - is what it’s all about. Are you keen to come on board as a farm trainer with GFF?
The pride and the payoff
Farm trainer Richard Subtil shares the pride and payoff of mentoring GFF students through their two-year journey. Growth like Ella’s - on the land, with her dogs, and in herself - is what it’s all about. Are you keen to come on board as a farm trainer with GFF?
Young people gain confidence, consistency
Wairarapa dog trainer Todd Heynes is
passing on proven training techniques to GFF students. From calming rowdy pups
to building trust and respect, his sessions help our young people gain
confidence, consistency, and the know-how to grow great working dogs and great
careers.
Young people gain confidence, consistency
Wairarapa dog trainer Todd Heynes is
passing on proven training techniques to GFF students. From calming rowdy pups
to building trust and respect, his sessions help our young people gain
confidence, consistency, and the know-how to grow great working dogs and great
careers.
Corey Caseley
Corey Caseley, Farm Manager at Glendonald Station, shares his experience as a GFF Farm Trainer - now on his third student. He talks about what it's like having a student on farm, the support available, and why it’s worth getting involved.
Thinking about becoming a farm trainer? Watch the video and hear Corey’s tips.
Corey Caseley
Corey Caseley, Farm Manager at Glendonald Station, shares his experience as a GFF Farm Trainer - now on his third student. He talks about what it's like having a student on farm, the support available, and why it’s worth getting involved.
Thinking about becoming a farm trainer? Watch the video and hear Corey’s tips.
Living the dream
Growing up in the city, Rebecca dreamed of working on a South Island station. She applied to GFF and was placed on a large station in the hills of Taihape, where she thrived with all the hands-on training the programme offered. After graduating in 2022, she headed to a station in Eastern Wairarapa. And now? She’s back down south on a big station, living the dream! Rebecca’s currently part of the 2025 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Generation Next programme.
How Training Young People Is Rewarding
Farm trainers Trudy and Richard talk about how proud they feel to be part of the GFF programme. Training young people and seeing them develop into skilled farmers is immensely rewarding.
How Training Young People Is Rewarding
Farm trainers Trudy and Richard talk about how proud they feel to be part of the GFF programme. Training young people and seeing them develop into skilled farmers is immensely rewarding.
Farm trainers Alastair and Ann Reeves of Reeves Farms in the Waikato
Farm trainers Alastair and Ann Reeves of Reeves Farms in the Waikato
Farm Trainer, Matt
Farm Trainer, Matt
Meet Hamish! A GFF Farm Trainer
Meet one of of Growing Future farmer Trainer, Hamish. He discusses why he loves the program and supports it too!
Meet Hamish! A GFF Farm Trainer
Meet one of of Growing Future farmer Trainer, Hamish. He discusses why he loves the program and supports it too!
Your farming career starts here!
At GFF, we equip you with skills that last a lifetime. Your farming career starts here. Learn more at growingfuturefarmers.co.nz
Your farming career starts here!
At GFF, we equip you with skills that last a lifetime. Your farming career starts here. Learn more at growingfuturefarmers.co.nz
Dreaming of a career in farming?
Dreaming of a career in farming? Our programme opens doors to a rewarding future!
Dreaming of a career in farming?
Dreaming of a career in farming? Our programme opens doors to a rewarding future!
