Changing of the guard in Mid-Canterbury

Changing of the guard in Mid-Canterbury

Federated Farmers Mid-Canterbury provincial president has handed over the reins to veteran Willy Leferink, and the province has introduced some new blood to the Grain and Seed Chair with Joanne Burke.

After stepping down from Federated Farmers National Board in July, Mr Leferink says he has been getting his hands dirty again at the coalface n the farm but after a meeting of the Mid-Canterbury Executive and feels he owes it to the province to take the position as provincial president.

“I am looking forward to focusing on Mid-Canterbury and working with the regions stakeholders. There is a lot going on here with Environment Canterbury’s regulatory changes, especially in the Hinds Plain planning process. Farmers are a growing force here with agriculture driving mid-Canterbury’s economy, so there’s a lot of responsibility in representing our growing membership.”

Outgoing Federated Farmers Mid-Canterbury provincial president, Chris Allen, has done an outstanding job here in the heartland and is now focusing on his challenge as Federated Farmers National Board member.

“When I started this role I wanted to tell the farming story to the urban audience, which has been a huge task – there are a lot of assumptions drawn about agriculture and correcting those can be a full time job. Aside from that the past three years has thrown Mid-Canterbury some real curve balls in adverse events. If we haven’t been tying down our irrigators against gale force winds or digging our stock out of snow, we’ve been supporting the arable farmers during the exceptionally wet harvest. Needless to say my time as provincial president has been busy, and one of the most satisfying jobs to date has been watching the relationship between Federated Farmers, and ECan staff and Commissioners mature.

“I am excited about my new role on Federated Farmers Board and know I’m leaving our province in more than capable hands. The provinces membership has grown steadily with the growing awareness among farmers of a need for farmer representation in the environmental regulatory process. Federated Farmers Mid-Canterbury has been making sure that the farmer’s voice is continually being heard, something that Willy Leferink is no stranger to doing.

“Along with Willy’s excellent leadership, the province also has a new senior vice-President, Jessie Chan Dorman and Grain and Seed Chair, Joanne Burke. This now takes the provincial executive to three female members, making up a third of the team, which gives us a good balance.

“Jessie has been with us for some time. She started out as a Dairy Policy Advisor 10 years ago, then became our Dairy Chair after going dairy farming and lately stepped up to junior vice-President; she will make a great senior vice-President. Joanne Burke will be coming onto the Executive as our Grain and Seed Chair. It is always exciting getting a fresh face into the mix and Joanne will be bringing some fresh energy to our advocacy work.

“With such a great mix of people new and old, I know I am leaving Mid-Canterbury in a strong position with an even stronger team; and I won’t be far with my involvement in the Ashburton Zone Committee.” said Mr Allen.

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