The Young Farmers organisation is as relevant today as when the national movement was formed almost 80 years ago.
That was the message from New Zealand Young Farmers manager Sara Russell, of Methven, who attended the Upper Manuherikia Young Farmers' Club 75th jubilee celebrations at Becks during the weekend.
Miss Russell said the core focus of the group, meeting the educational and social needs of young rural people, remained the same as when the national organisation was established.
It was obviously still striking the right chord, as members continued to increase.
"In fact, there's been a major upswing in the numbers nationally, a 25% increase each year for several years," she said.
It was in particularly good heart in the south.
Otago-Southland regional chairwoman of Young Farmers, Vanessa Hore, of Becks, said the Upper Manuherikia club was probably the oldest one in Otago.
Its membership had ebbed and flowed but it was still going strong.
