Agriculture Training Programme | Growing Future Farmers NZ

Not sure where to start? Choose the programme that best matches your experience and goals

Sheep & Beef Foundations

Is this for you?

You’re aged 16–20 and keen to start a career in farming
You prefer hands-on learning over classroom-based study
You enjoy working outdoors with animals, land, and machinery
You’re ready to live and learn on-farm and be part of a team
You want to build real skills, independence, and confidence
You’re motivated, reliable, and willing to learn from the ground up
You’re looking for a clear pathway into employment in the sheep & beef sector

Find out more - Click Here

GFF–Fonterra Dairy Pilot

Is this for you?

You’re aged 16–20 and interested in a career in dairy farming
You’re open to being based in Waikato or Bay of Plenty (pilot regions)
You want a mix of on-farm training and structured learning
You’re keen to commit to a 2-year programme in the dairy industry
You’re practical, hardworking, and ready to learn in a fast-paced farm environment
You have (or can get) reliable transport and basic work-readiness skills
You’re excited to build a future in a leading NZ agricultural sector

Find out more - Click Here

GFF Primary Industries Agriculture Level 4

Is this for you?

You already have farming experience (3+ years) or a Level 3 qualification
You’re currently working on-farm and want to step into leadership
You want to gain a formal qualification while you work
You’re ready to build skills in planning, technology, and farm operations
You’re interested in supervising staff, budgeting, and farm decision-making
You want to progress into senior roles or agribusiness pathways
You prefer flexible study that fits around your job

Find out more - Click Here

It is great to be able to offer his student a one-on-one relevant programme and having a keen young person training in his team made a big difference.

As employers, we need to lead our own training programmes as we are the beneficiaries.

Pete Mc Carthy, Cross Hills

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?

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.

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.