Almost a year since re-igniting, the lapsed Young Farmers Club on the West coast, the group is flourishing. Chair person for the group, Jennifer Grubb says she and a few others put out a call to other young rural people in the area to see if they could re-establish the club.
They held a launch event last October and there was a good turn-out of young farming people, rural professionals and other trades giving enough momentum to get underway.
The group meets on the first Monday of the month rotating between Hokitika, Greymouth, Ikamatua and Moana. Usually meeting at a hotel where they have a meal and time to socialise.
They’ve also held a 4x4 event in May and very recently a “Country Ball” in the old Moonlight Hall which was sponsored by West Coast Rural Support Trust and was a huge success. Around a hundred people aged from late teens to their 70’s danced the night away to the music of well known Coaster and Country Singer Jody Direen. Catering was provided by the Moonlight Hall committee.
The group has more events planned over the coming months to get young people off farm to mix with other like minded people. On September 18th they are hosting a Young Farmers paintball competition at Kaiata.
This will see clubs from around the region battling it out for an ultimate winner. They also plan to get involved with preliminary events for the Young Farmer of the Year competition, learning new skills and meeting up with other clubs. Jennifer says, being involved with the group helped her to make friends she would never have connected with otherwise.
Anyone aged between 18-31 can join the West Coast Young Farmers Club - to learn more you can do so by emailing westcoast@youngfarmers.co.nz or visiting their Facebook Page.
