With the future of Telford still uncertain as discussions continue, South Otago reporter Samuel White steps on to the grass to see what the mood is like for students and staff at the educational facility.
At the end of last year, Lincoln University made the decision to cull 16 jobs and the equine course from Telford after a three-month consultation period.
Lincoln University and North Island-based Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre also signed a statement of intent which included provision for the transfer of operations at Telford to Taratahi as Lincoln continued to operate the Telford division near Balclutha this year.
The Otago Daily Times met and spoke with students and staff at the campus three weeks into the first semester, which started on January 31.
Despite the "uncertain future" as stated by Telford, students were upbeat and remained positive, with a committed team of staff and tutors behind them.
A total of 51 students enrolled in the Certificate in Agriculture while 11 were taking the Diploma for Rural Veterinary Technician course.
About 20 additional Diploma in Agriculture students were expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Agriculture student Alex Hood, formerly of Blenheim, last year studied the now defunct equine course at Telford.
It was disappointing the course was no longer offered, she said.
While she was aware of the uncertainty of Telford’s future, it was not enough to stop her from applying for the agricultural course this year.
With dreams of becoming a farm manager, Ms Wood intended on continuing her education at Telford in the diploma course next year — if it was still offered.
Regardless of whether it was owned by Taratahi or Lincoln, she did not believe much would change as it was "still Telford".
Ms Wood said the timing of the decision to cull jobs and announce a potential takeover was "a bit awkward".
Other students reiterated this statement as they did not find out if the course they had applied for would even be running until 10 days before the start date.
Some did not have a back-up plan if it transpired their course did not eventuate. For them, the only option was Telford.
Campus manager Chris Hargest said Telford had a reputation all over the country for providing quality rural education.
"You get a lot of students that want to come here and set their hearts on coming here."
Telford was consistent in teaching them valuable life skills.
Given the current situation with ongoing discussions between Taratahi and Lincoln, Mr Hargest said the staff at Telford remained positive.
"We’ve got to be positive because that impacts on the students . . . and I think it makes all the difference."
He remained hopeful a resolution would be reached soon and Telford would be able to continue functioning.
He said numbers enrolled at Telford were on par with last year even with the equine course no longer operating.
Work executive co-ordinator Allan Roxburgh said despite the negative information spread over the summer, the staff at Telford had worked hard to mitigate the damage.
"We’ve had a hell run."
Staff were still committed to getting the students through the year and ensuring they had an enjoyable time.
The first four weeks had been a sharp learning curve for students as they were given a "crash course" in animal health and farm practices aimed at gearing them up for work experience starting in March.
There was a diverse range of students from all over the country and an even mix of male and female, he said.
The attitude from staff and students was positive, he said.
Shearing senior tutor Ken Payne said the institute was carrying on "business as usual".
The staff were doing their best to teach new students the skills they needed to learn.
"We’ve come to the fact that we’ve really got to knuckle down and get on with things because we really want this to survive here."
Telford was doing everything it could to make it work, Mr Payne said.
A decision on whether a transfer of Telford would go ahead was anticipated about April 3.
