First time’s a winner for Jake

For Jake Jarman, being crowned FMG Young Farmer of the Year for 2021 was a dream beyond imagining. He remains immensely proud of his achievement and hopes it will inspire others.

The ANZ Relationship Associate represented the Taranaki/Manawatu region, beating six other grand finalists for the prestigious title at Wigram Airforce Museum in Christchurch in early July. Jake said he was determined to give the Grand Final his best shot after signing up to the contest to just give it a go. “I was happy that I gave everything a go to the best of my ability and to be competitive. I loved the practical day, the challenge of having to multitask under time pressure and be a bit strategic.” The victory was a culmination of days of gruelling practical and technical challenges set out to test the seven grand finalists’ skills, knowledge and stamina. Contestants participated in a technical day, a practical day, speeches, exams and the famous FMG Young Farmer of the Year buzzer quiz. Jake won a prize package worth over $75,000 that included a $15,000 cash prize from FMG, a Honda ATV and a $30,000 package from New Holland. An Inglewood Young Farmer, Jake is the fifth generation to work his family dairy farm. He also works as a farm systems research graduate with Dairy Trust Taranaki. “My fellow competitors certainly didn’t make it easy and honestly I feel like it was anyone's game for the whole 3 days. It’s been a privilege getting to know them and to now call them friends.”

| FMG Young Farmer of the Year Jake Jarman salutes the crowd on awards night.

WHO WON WHAT

FMG Young Farmer of the Year: Jake Jarman, Taranaki/Manawatu Runner Up FMG Young Farmer of the Year: Joseph Watts, East Coast Third Place FMG Young Farmer of the Year: Calvin Ball, Northern Agri Business Challenge: Jake Jarman, Taranaki/Manawatu Agri Sports Challenge: Jake Jarman, Taranaki/Manawatu Agri Skills Challenge: Joseph Watts, East Coast Agri Knowledge Challenge: Jake Jarman, Taranaki/Manawatu Community Footprint: Calvin Ball, Northern FMG People’s Choice: Kieran McCahon, Waikato/Bay of Plenty

| Joseph Watts (East Coast) was runner-up for the second time.

| The competition attracted a big crowd of supporters.

My fellow competitors certainly didn’t make it easy and honestly I feel like it was anyone's game for the whole 3 days.”

FMG Young Farmer of the Year Jake Jarman

Jake also won the Agribusiness, Agri Sports and Agri Knowledge awards. Joseph Watts was named runnerup FMG Young Farmer of the Year for the second time. He also won the Agri Skills Award. The Tikokino Young Farmer missed out on the title in 2019 by a whisker and qualified for the cancelled 2020 Grand Final. Whangarei Young Farmer Calvin Ball took third place and also won the Community Footprint award. Kieran McCahon from Waikato/Bay of Plenty was named FMG People’s Choice winner. Congratulating Jake, New Zealand Young Farmers CEO Lynda Coppersmith said he was a fantastic representative for the contest and the agriculture, food and fibres sector. “As a first-time competitor, it has been amazing to watch Jake shine and not just give it a go but take out the title. He has proven to us again that this contest isn’t about age and experience but determination and cross-sector skills.” After last year’s cancellation, Lynda said the competition this year was more fierce than ever. “To have such a wide range of grand finalists this year really shows the massive range of opportunities available in the agriculture, food and fibre sectors. Watching them battle it out in the classroom, on the stage and on the field and to have seen their individual strengths shine over the season has been a privilege.”

| Kieran McCahon (Waikato/Bay of Plenty) won the FMG People’s Choice award.