Delivered
Pleasant point Jonge Boeren meet monthly and have several events in the pipeline.
A group of young Timaru farmers are relaunching a club that provides support to rural people after their parents closed it 25 years ago.
Pleasant Point Young Farmers president Brittany Honeywell, who grew up in the area, said the group saw an opportunity to relaunch the club, which had been shut down by their parents.
“There’s a lot of local and family history associated with Young Farmers,” she said.
“We’re reopening a club that was closed by our parents and their friends because no young people came to take over, so those members were all aged by then.”
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She said it was important to connect with the community.
“We are a strong rural community and the support has been great. We also hope to support them immediately.”
Honeywell said the club would hopefully play a vital role in the mental health of young farmers after a recent survey by Federated Farmers found that farmers were struggling due to economic conditions.
A total of 1103 farmers nationwide responded to the January survey and 70.3% said they were affected, only 18.2% said they were not; 11.5% doubted.
“Farming can be tough. If someone is having a rough day, it’s nice and refreshing to come along to an event, they don’t have to cook and instead can get food together with the group.
“Getting together can be an escape from your day in case you need it. So come along, enjoy some social activities and show up when you can.
As a former member of the Mackenzie Young Farmers Club in Fairlie, having a club in the Pleasant Point area was necessary, she said.
Since the club’s launch in October, 65 members have been added.
Delivered
Pleasant Point Young Farmers president Brittany Honeywell says there is a need for the club.
Honeywell said she hoped the club could also be a resource for people who want to get into the industry too, with the clubs putting a lot of focus on connecting with the local industry.
“Maybe a job opening comes your way at a Young Farmers meeting that you otherwise wouldn’t have known about.”
The club met regularly with events held every other month.
There would be guest speakers and farm tours in 2023, with plans in the works to hold a club bonding weekend and travel to Christchurch to visit a velvet sorting facility, Honeywell said.