First-time competitor Jake Jarman, 24, beat out all competitors to be recognised as the 2021 FMG Young Farmer of the Year, in the contest’s 53rd edition.
Jarman (pictured), who is also a relationship associate for ANZ, represented the Taranaki Manawatu region. He is a fifth-generation dairy farmer and is part of the Inglewood Young Farmers Club.
The grand final of the contest, sponsored by rural insurer FMG, was a three-day event that included head-to-head competition plus technical elements, such as an innovation project and interview challenge. The contestants must also deliver a convincing speech on a topic given to them just a few days beforehand.
The final round was a quiz, involving six buzzer beater rounds of agricultural and general knowledge questions.
Tikokino representative Joseph Watts was named runner-up FMG Young Farmer of the Year and also won the Agri Skills Award. Calvin Ball of Whangarei took third place and also won the Community Footprint award.
Meanwhile, Kieran McCahon from Hamilton City Club won the FMG People’s Choice Award with a record number of votes.
“FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest is a special way to showcase the excellence and achievement of young farmers in this country,” said Michelle Stevens, FMG national sponsorship manager. “These are the seven best young farmers in the nation for 2021 and we're right alongside celebrating with them and their communities.”
