rivettingKateTaylor

Just weeks after Tim van de Molen became the face of Young Farmers with the Cloak of Knowledge and the ANZ Young Farmer of the Year trophy … it’s the turn of Pleasant Point dairy farmer Cole Groves to smile for the cameras.

Cole has been voted the new Chairman for New Zealand Young Farmers (Paul Olsen stepped down after a two-year term – well done on your achievements Paul 🙂 ).

“It’s a fantastic group of people”, Mr Groves said in a Young Farmers press release this morning. “It’s a big honour”.

Mr Groves previously served on the board as an elected member for two years and views his new appointment as an opportunity to give back to an organisation that has given him plenty. He says he has gained “so much out of my involvement with Young Farmers; from self-development to growing my business contacts”.

Cole competing in the AgriSports of the Young Farmer Contest Grand Final in 2011

Cole dealing with a Human Resources Challenge at the historic Brancepeth Homestead in Wairarapa – 2011 Grand Final

The press release continued…

The twenty-six-year-old dairy farmer from Pleasant Point considers Young Farmers an integral part of New Zealand’s agriculture industry.

“Young Farmers tends to act as a glue for the industry – we help develop the future leaders of agriculture and contribute to a skilled and capable workforce.”

Cole also commented on the continued progress of the organisation.

“Young Farmers has come a long way. Industry partners are now coming to us whereas five years ago we were the ones going to them. The success has also been driven by our increasing membership, dedicated volunteers, our office staff and the growing network of past members.”

Retention of members is high on the list of priorities for the new chairman.

“It’s important to make sure there is a flow through from all the programmes and keep members in the ‘pipeline’ of Young Farmers”, said Mr Groves.

Engagement is paramount in order to help grow membership and keep people involved in Young Farmers.

“Our [the board’s] goal is to involve the members more. Members need to feel connected; they need to believe in Young Farmers. From the 17 year old who leaves school to join a club to the 27 year old who wants something more for their business or career – we need to make sure that we can provide it, every step of the way”, he said.

“Members are the success of the organisation. To us, they are the owners, whatever we do at the strategy level of the board is focused on the members”, said Mr Groves.

Mr Groves studied at Lincoln University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in agriculture science with honours.

Speaking of Lincoln, here is Patrick Aldwell on the right… one of three interview judges grilling Cole in 2011 Grand Final