Attending three Grand Finals of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year as a spectator inspired Jake Jarman to enter – resulting in him taking the top title in 2021.
“Having attended Grand Finals and many regional finals, I was so impressed with all the competitors,” says Jake.
“It seemed like such a lot of fun to be involved in. I am also a competitive person, so I was naturally inclined to see how well I could do and if I could compete with people I looked up to.”
At the time, Jake was a relationship associate for ANZ but he is currently on an OE in the UK, working as a sustainability analyst for Map of Agriculture, a UK and NZ-based primary farm data company. His main focus is on the reporting of greenhouse emissions from farms through to the food industry.
Jake says the biggest challenge in the final was the very high level of competition at the final, held in Christchurch.
“I was competing against tough competitors and having to rise to the challenge and working under time pressure and fatigue at the practical day to try to do a quality job.
“Then thinking of answers on stage to the quiz questions when the lights are shining brightly on you and a thousand people are waiting for your response – and all the work required in the lead up to the Grand Final while fitting in everyday normal life.”
Despite the high pressure, he says he really enjoyed the entire experience.
“The varied nature of the three days, testing us on all sorts of things both practical and theory based and the camaraderie between all the competitors was amazing
“Although we were competing against each other, we all wanted the best for each other and we supported each other in every aspect.
“I’m still in touch with some of my fellow finalists. It was also great to catch up with them at regional and Grand Finals in the following years as we all naturally are attracted back, whether that is as spectators, volunteers or competitors.”
Jake says highlights for him included the Thursday parade and walking to the Riverside market in Christchurch with members of Junior Young Farmer and Agri Kids.
“Then felling the big tree to end the agri-sports on practical day and being surrounded and supported by NZ Young Farmers staff and volunteers who all worked really hard to make it an awesome event.”
Jake says an important part of his success was having the support of family, friends and work colleagues from the regional final all the way through the next six months to the Grand Final.
“Another great memory of the Grand Final is all the supporters there cheering me and the other finalists on. Many had travelled a long way. Also, having family and friends there offering helpful advice when we were doing the practical day farmlet.
“It was great seeing everyone in the crowd while doing my speech, then celebrating with them at the awards evening and hearing them from the audience while I was on stage.”
Jake says a major learning for him was how important the competition is to the rural community.
“The competition is the beating heart of the Young Farmers organisation and competing is just small part of the whole thing - the effort required from volunteers, staff, and sponsors is huge, but everyone does it because they love the community, the history and the importance of supporting the agricultural industry.
“By being a competitor, I was able to see how the whole organisation works and see the passion of everyone involved in much more detail than just being a community Young Farmers member.
“I would like to thank all the sponsors, in particular FMG as main sponsor, for their continued support of NZ Young Farmers.”
