Emma ‘buzzing’ over national win

Waikato Bay of Plenty Young Farmer e Waikato Bay of Plenty representative will bring the trophy home to her region after being announced the winner of the annual FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final event at an awards ceremony in Timaru last month.

Emma Poole is “absolutely buzzing” after being named the 55th FMG Young Farmer of the Year and making history as the contest’s rst-ever female champion.

Emma secured the win following three days of gruelling challenges against six other Grand Finalists. Contestants’ farming skills and general knowledge were put to the test with tasks that included repairing farm machinery, creating a hydroponic system and an intense race-style challenge with multiple tasks that saw points awarded for both skill and speed.

“I’m totally overwhelmed, I really wasn’t sure where I was going to sit.

“All the nalists have been so great throughout the competition and these last three days have been really tough so I wouldn’t say I was feeling con dent, but I knew I’d put in my best e ort and that’s all you can hope for at the end of the day.” regional was the best standard I can recall - the region is full of excellent apprentice butchers which is great for the trade.” e competition is proudly sponsored by Pact Packaging, ANZCO Foods, Dunninghams, Hellers, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Skills4Work, Tegel, Victory Knives, Wilson Hellaby, Anago, Rum and Que and Newly Weds.

As Emma accepted the award, Tim Dangen, her brother, mentor and last season’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year was there to congratulate her as she expressed “we’ve nally knocked the grass ceiling o the roof”.

Alongside industry and peer recognition, the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year will receive a coveted trophy and an all-expenses paid trip to the next World Butchers’ Challenge in 2025 with the opportunity to represent New Zealand in the ANZCO Foods Young Butchers of New Zealand team.