Back in the saddle

Well, its been quite some time since I put fingers to keyboard.  Busy.  Busy with the right things... busy with the wrong things, but busy none the less.

I have moved on  from Young Farmers, ten months ago in fact.  It's funny how you know when it is time to go.  My time was complete.  I had done what I needed to do and it was time for someone else to take the reins.  I can look back knowing that Young Farmers would not exist for it not a fair dose of determination, good luck and dedicated believers in the cause.

Young Farmers will never know how close they came to disappearing forever.  I am very proud of my contribution to NZ Young Farmers...it is my legacy.

I am back to blog and aim to keep it regular and all going well, it ill be worthwhile.   Time will tell.

Cheers
R

My study topic - Innovation Adoption

Over the year my reflection have revolved around why would a farmer go to the risk and hassle of changing their business to take on new ideas and technology. The availability of subsidies distorts this process, the free market seems to encourage it... I want to understand the why better, and how we can build on the positive drivers with our industry people building programmes. I am hoping the US will help build this picture .....

Off we go again-USA bound

Here we go again. I am off on my third and final leg of Nuffield scholarship. This trip focuses on gaining a better understanding of the drivers of the creation and adoption of innovation by farmers on and off farm. I will explain more soon..... I've gotta board a flight to the US.

Porky Torky: France

Porky Torky: France: This is a few more highlights from the Nuffield Global Focus while we were in France.

Porky Torky: California Dreaming

Porky Torky: California Dreaming: Here are some of the highlights from the Nuffield global Focus tour of California. Hope you enjoy.

Freedom is not free

We had a day and a half touring WW2 historical sites in the Somme, Belgium and Northern France. We had our tour guide Alan, a previous soldier now military historian provide commentary.

We visited many of the key battle sites in and around the Somme. This area is of particular significance to NZ and Australia. This included Passendale , Armien, Yves, Polygon Wood, Menin Gate to name a few.

There are over 1000 memorial sites in the area.

You cannot help but be moved by the sheer scale of destruction and loss of life in this area during both World Wars were around 3 million people were killed in action.

Farmers working the fields still take their own lives in their hands as unexploded shells are still brought to the surface during cultivation. In fact last year a farmer was killed when cultivating and he triggered a shell.

We all hoped this never happens again.

The Farm Bill is the hot topic

Washington DC took us to the global seat of power, Capitol Hill.

We met with a number of policy advisors, politicians, directors of various ag agencies and an senator over two days of meetings.

The Farm Bill is the hot topic as it is currently undergoing its six year makeover. This piece of legislation all the US policy for food production and surprisingly the Food Stamps policy.The Food Stamps policy is essentially the social welfare policy.

The Food Bill will account for $1 Trillion over the next ten years. Approximately 25% of this will be allocated to farm support.

When pressed why the farm production policy is combined with social welfare, it seems history and strong political lobbying have kept the two together. This seems to be a challenging way to develop policy but hey, who am I to judge.

Two of our most senior government officials who presented to us both (independent from each other) stated that they believe this is one o the most promising times to be involved in food production. Demand is outstripping supply, new technology, climate change and so on. This theme has been consistent