Applications are now open for the Gardiner Foundation 2025 New Zealand Study Tour. The Tour will visit the South Island of New Zealand over eight days in mid to late March 2025.
Last year, 12 dairy farmers and dairy industry professionals embarked on an eight-day journey across New Zealand to explore its dairy sector and develop their leadership skills in the process.
South Gippsland dairy farmer and 2024 study tour participant, Mitchell Jones, said gaining insights into how New Zealand farmers tackle regulatory issues was like looking into the future.
“New Zealand farmers are dealing with grazing caps, nitrogen limits and other government regulated items that impact operations. It was important for me to gain insight on how they are managing these things.”
“It ignited a thirst to get more involved in our industry here. Having experienced what may occur in the next 15 years, is motivation to prepare for those changes, rather than being caught off guard,” Mitchell said.
The Gardiner Foundation has been funding the tour since 2008. Now in its 17th year, the New Zealand Study Tour will run with the support of the Australian Dairy Conference (ADC), Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) and Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF).
Gardiner Foundation CEO, Allan Cameron said it’s important to learn more about dairy farming in New Zealand to share knowledge for the benefit of our local industries and communities.
“The New Zealand Study Tour offers young dairy professionals, our future industry leaders, a unique chance to immerse themselves in the New Zealand dairy industry,” Allan said.
“Gardiner Foundation are committed to providing experiential leadership opportunities that deepen knowledge and build leadership capacity across the whole dairy supply chain.”
Application close 5:00PM Monday 2 December 2024. To apply, visit: https://www.gardinerfoundation.com.au/studytour/