Young Farmers connect in Pleasant Point

High on the agenda for the relaunched Pleasant Point Young Farmers Club is connection.

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by Kent

caddick ] and NZ Young Farmers

The club aims to connect like-minded young people aged 17-31 in the Pleasant Point area to the community, to new friends and to new career connections.

Having grown up in the area, Pleasant Point Young Farmers chair Brittany Honeywell, saw an opportunity to relaunch the Club.

As a prior member of the Mackenzie Young Farmers Club in Fairlie, she knew the value it would bring in connecting young people so she fl oated the idea to her fl atmates.

They agreed there was a need and together they could easily gather people keen to join. Since October 2022, the lub has quickly grown to 65 members.

“There’s a lot of local and family history tied up with Young Farmers,” Honeywell said.

“We’re reopening a club that was closed by our parents and their friends because they didn’t have young people coming in to take over, so those members back then all aged out.”

To spread the word, she contacted local farming businesses and managers of industry organisations letting them know the club is back up and running again.

Many of the businesses recall the Club from earlier years and are willing to offer support in any way they can, whether a venue, donation, or sponsorship.

“It’s very important to have that community relationship. We are a strong rural com- munity, and the support has been great. We hope to support them right back too.”

And she’s already shoulder-tapped prior members who are now part of the growing Young Farmer’s Alumni to provide advisory support.

“If we have anything come across our table that we’re not too sure about, say fundraising, we hope to have someone we can turn to and go, ‘what do you think would be a good approach to this situation?’.”

Using social media to share club details, Honeywell cast the net wide to attract not just young farmers, but young professionals, trainees, or anyone with an interest in the rural sector.

“Having more than just farmers in the Club means we can expand our conversations, introduce people to farms for fun on tours, and have great discussions with others in our age range,” she said.

The newly appointed club executives describe the club as ‘very social, switched-on group. Keen to get into the work and have some fun too’.

“Farming can be tough. If someone has a rough day, it’s nice and refreshing to come along to an event, they don’t have to cook dinner and instead can grab food together with the group. They can talk about their day with others, or have a new conversation if they need a break<’ Honeywell said.

“Getting together can be an escape from your day in case you need it! So come round, enjoy some social activities, and turn up when you can.”