If membership does not increase in the next five
years, The Young Farmers Club could disappear, said the
Tasman regional chairman Hamish Reid. The YFC's national
membership was 10,000 in the late 1970's, today's
estimate is 1600.
When Braden Cooper, a spokesperson for the Tapawera
branch, first joined the Wakefield branch it had 35
members, today it has just two. Two keen members, who
must now travel to Tapawera, to be part of a more viable
unit.
"We've got about 20 members in the Tapawera
branch, a few students, a couple of sharemilkers, a
couple of dry stock managers, a mechanic and a shearer.
There's been builders, secretaries and everything. You
don't have to live on a farm, work on a farm or have
anything to do with a farm to be a member of young
"For city, and the not-so-rural types, you get to
drive tractors and 4 wheel motorbikes, we go horse
trekking, done that a lot, the guys and the girls enjoy
that, it's real good fun. Not so long ago we got a heap
of motorbikes together, some smoky old AG's and did a
trip through the Rainbow to Hamner. Ones that couldn't
ride, got the 4 wheelers. People just love getting away,
and away from the city and having a real break."
The 66 year old club promotes fun, friendship and
learning with other young people, through social contact,
personal growth, training and education, and travel.
YFC's normally hold informal and easy going meetings on a
monthly basis to let everyone know about activities and
competitions.
Young farmers find increased confidence and leadership
skills, with team work developed with involvement in
activity organisation. Learning by doing, is how YFC
works, and all YFC competitions and activities offer
opportunities to learn something new.
Fully sponsored exchange trips to the United Kingdom,
Canada and an inter-regional exchange to other YFC
regions are up for grabs, as well as the opportunity to
travel in New Zealand to conferences and competitions.
Competitions can include the Young Farmer of the year,
stock judging, shearing and wool handling, public
speaking, debating and safety.
The next competition is stock judging, run by Nelson
districts and hopefully in Golden Bay, with a fishing
weekend thrown in as well. Then the Nelson district young
farmer, in March where we have to find a representative
for the Tasman regional final.
The Tasman region is divided into five districts -
Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch and North
Canterbury, which are in turn divided into 16 individual
clubs. Internet savvy young farmers (and city folk) can
make enquiries through the New Zealand Federation of
Young Farmer Club's website at www.yfc.co.nz/about.html
