At Rural Service Centre, we’re passionate about backing the next generation of farmers here in Golden Bay. That’s why we were proud to support Future Farming Mohua, a programme led locally by Miriam Sherratt with the dedication of teachers who are opening up new opportunities for ākonga to learn practical skills on the land.

Recently, students spent three weeks learning the ins and outs of building post and wire fences alongside David Jacobson of Golden Bay Fencing, who brought nearly 40 years of experience to the training. The ākonga learned how to tie essential knots, operate a post rammer, replace a barbed wire fence with netting, and install electric fence insulators.

Fencing might not sound glamorous, but it’s a vital skill — not only to keep stock where they need to be, but also to protect Aotearoa’s precious waterways. These are the kinds of practical, hands-on experiences that will set our young people up for the future.

We were glad to contribute $1000 worth of fencing supplies to make this training possible, and it was awesome to see the energy and commitment the students brought to the course.

A special thanks as well to Ken McMiken from Gallagher Animal Management for sharing your expertise (and some goodies), to Lynn River for the safety gear, and to PGG Wrightson Takaka for helping ensure the students had the safety gear they needed to get the job done. And of course, hats off to Miriam and the teaching team for the mahi you’re putting in to grow the next generation of food producers and land stewards here in Mohua.