Two New Federated Farmers Board Members

Federated Farmers delegates elected two new National Board members at the 1999 National Council/Council. They are John Aspinall of Mount Aspiring, and Roger Barton of Wairarapa.

The National Board of Federated Farmers has seven members, four of whom were elected over the two-day conference.

John Aspinall (47) is a third generation farmer on Mt. Aspiring Station, with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons) from Lincoln University. His platform was that his Board position is there to reflect the view of grassroots members, as the President and Vice President concentrate on national and international issues.

Prior to his election, Mr Aspinall was chairman of the South Island High Country Committee, an industry group within Federated Farmers.

Roger Barton (41) was a Nuffield Scholar in 1995, and has been farming as a sole trader since 1982.

Mr Barton was elected to the board of Farmlands in 1998, and is vice-chairman of the Taratahi Agriculture Training Centre.

He believes strongly that "for too long, farming and other organisations have tended to make policies that entrench farmers in their business, rather than focusing on best industry practice, innovation and maximising opportunities."

Mr Barton has been President of the Wairarapa Province for the past two years.

ENDS

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