Dr Roshean Woods, who completed her PhD and Bachelor of Science with Honours degrees at Lincoln, won the Tasman regional final of the FMG Young Farmer of the year on Saturday to book her place in July’s grand final.
The DairyNZ farms systems scientist battled seven other alumni and current students in the eight-person final, with former Lincoln students taking all the podium places for the second regional final in a row.
Roshean is a passionate advocate for the agricultural industry, but it wasn’t always a career she saw herself in. It was not until a visit from Lincoln University and DairyNZ to her high school that she got thinking about the opportunities.
“I’ve always loved science and saw myself working in a lab of some sort. They came to visit my school and spoke on all the opportunities outside of farming within the industry.
“Agriculture was a way for me to combine my love of science with the outdoors. And also contribute towards overcoming the challenges the industry is faced with. I couldn’t imagine working in any other industry now.”
Jonny Brown, a Lincoln Bachelor of Commerce (Rural Valuation and Agricultural Management) graduate, who manages a Dairy Holding’s Limited farm in Bankside, came second.
Peter O’Connor, 22, a member of Lincoln Young Farmers, who finished a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours at the end of 2020, came third.
Congratulations to all the competitors, and good luck for the grand final Roshean.
Lincoln University is proud to be a sponsor for the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition. As a land-based university we have been growing careers in the sector for over 140 years.
At Lincoln, we are all about growing opportunities, and Young Farmers is a great opportunity for New Zealand’s young talent to shine. We are behind the competition and behind talented young New Zealanders, supporting them every step of the way to achieving their dreams and expanding their world.