New young voice for the South

Chris Pemberton is the new Young Farmers Otago/Southland provincial chairman. Photo by Yvonne O'Hara
Chris Pemberton is the new Young Farmers Otago/Southland provincial chairman. Photo by Yvonne O'Hara
Teviot Valley farm manager and fodder beet contractor Chris Pemberton is the new New Zealand Young Farmers Otago Southland provincial chairman.

''I am just a voice for Otago and Southland province to the national body,'' Mr Pemberton said.

A founding member of the Teviot Valley Young Farmers Club, he took over from former provincial chairman James Lawn, in February.

Mr Lawn is planning to travel overseas.

Mr Pemberton manages a sheep, beef and dairy grazing property behind Millers Flat and also has a fodder beet planting contracting business.

He will be representing the province at a two-day national conference in Hamilton and will be at the launch of the 2015 competition in Taupo.

''We can bring up the issues we have within Young Farmers, such as stuff to do with the contests and membership issues,'' he said.

Many of the clubs had common concerns, including how to attract and retain more members and how to encourage them to enter the district and regional finals.

He said in addition to the social and sports sides, Young Farmers fundraised for community and charity groups, and encouraged members to develop leadership skills, including attending the Generate Leadership courses.

Members could apply for tertiary study grants, and were encouraged to attend Generate Leadership courses, to helped attain long-term farming and personal goals.

He said Young Farmers encouraged younger students to become involved with Teenag and Agrikids clubs and competitions.

Often they would later join the Young Farmers clubs.

''We should see a follow-on effect.''

He said he was keen to see more Central Otago members become involved with regional governance roles and competitions.

Mr Pemberton said he would also like to see more mainstream television exposure given to the national final.

''We are a major industry in New Zealand and we are the future of that industry.''

When not working he plays rugby for Roxburgh.

The Otago district final is in Milton on December 13.

The Southern district final is in Balfour on December 6.

The Eastern Southland district final is in Waitane November 29.

The regional final will be in Queenstown on February 7.

 By Yvonne O'Hara

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