Two 14-year-olds from Mid Canterbury are competing in the FMG Junior Young Farmers grand final, despite being from different schools.
Friends Leo Acland and Charlie Clark successfully got approval from the hierarchy of the annual FMG Junior Young Farmers event to be able to compete together at the event in Invercargill, which starts early tomorrow and finishes on Saturday in a Face Off event between the top five teams.
The pair grew up on farms at Mount Somers and Valetta, respectively.
Leo who attends Christ College and Charlie at Mount Hutt College, lobbied the Young Farmers board of directors to be able to team up.
“We got disqualified last year because of the rules around schools and Christ College was technically out of region, which was pretty disappointing,” Leo said.
“We didn’t agree with that rule so we went to the board and convinced them to change the rules so we could compete together, and they listened,” Charlie said.
“It was really important that we work together because we’ve been friends for almost 10 years.
‘‘I know how Leo thinks and works under pressure and vice versa.”
Being the youngest team in their district to qualify for the grand final, the two are quietly confident that they have what it takes to secure the win.
“We’ve both competed in AgriKids so we’ve had a lot of practise and preparation. We’ve been putting in the hard yards,” Charlie said.
He was a member of the winning AgriKids grand final in 2023.
“To win would be crazy, it would just be wild but we’re confident we have what it takes.”
In the senior event, Aorangi Young Farmer of the Year grand finalist Gareth McKerchar of Pleasant Point is taking his second attempt at winning the FMG Young Farmer of the Year title very seriously.
He came third in the event last year.
Starting a new job, ramping up studies and having a baby has not stopped the 26-year-old preparing for the three day competition on from today in Invercargill.
“Getting another crack at the title is exciting. It’s like, here we go again. It feels like it never really stopped.
‘‘My foot’s been on the accelerator ever since the last season,” he said.
‘‘I’m still young, keen and enthusiastic, and I figured that it would be easier to go two years back-to-back.”
“It’s the best opportunity to have another crack straight away. It just made sense, and I reckon I can win it so I’m keen to go a couple of positions better.”
The grand final, on from July 3 to 5, is viewed by thousands of spectators, will see seven grand finalists race against the clock (and each other) in a series of high-pressure challenges designed to test them on their farming knowledge and ability to excel under pressure.
Contestants will navigate big machinery, livestock, a Farmlet and brain power will be tested at a quiz in the final challenge on Saturday night.
The title ‘FMG Young Farmer of the Year’ and over $90,000 worth of prizes will be up for grabs.
Sixty three AgriKidsNZ competitors from across Aotearoa will compete for a national title including teams from Hinds and Dorie schools, and 14 FMG Junior Young Farmers teams.
New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive Lynda Coppersmith says this year’s finalists were determined to make their mark.
“One of the things that makes the finalists stand out is the breadth of experience they bring to the table. From sheep and beef to dairy and tertiary study, each contestant is deeply involved in our rural communities across the motu.’’
‘‘It’s exciting to see this kind of forward-thinking in each Grand Finalist that will greatly benefit New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.’’
