AgriBusiness News May 2018

SPECIAL ADVERTISING WRAP
The Health Hub becomes Fieldays Health and Wellbeing and
has a wider scope, also confronting rural mental health issues.
From previous page
Sometimes a lot of stuff comes
out over a conversation. He does
this because he recognises that
this is a service that is required
and it’s his way that he can help.
It’s all done on barter. He will
be featured in the Health and
Wellbeing Hub among a lot of
other participants.”
Tied into the health theme is
the new Kitchen Theatre. Lee
says its purpose is to initiate
the conversation around primary
food production, paddock to
plate and also draw a link with
health and wellbeing in terms of
nutrition and food innovation.
Master of Ceremonies is former
MasterChef Brett McGregor
and visitors can enjoy culinary
presentations featuring delicious
recipes and professional
techniques. The focus is on
highlighting the food's origin and
the importance of knowing what
we’re eating from a nutrition and
wellness perspective.
The Pantry marquee will feature
New Zealand primary production
ingredients such as artisan
meats, specialty cheeses, select
cereals, orchard fruits and juices,
finest domestically produced
liquors, spirits, wines and ales,
premium preserves, condiments
and sauces, and delectable
honey. The pantry gives visitors
the opportunity to sample and
buy some of the ingredients
used in the Kitchen Theatre
demonstrations plus a range of
other delicious treats to tempt
the taste buds.
After 13 years, the Fieldays Rural
Bachelor of the Year contest is
phased out and makes way for
Rural Catch, a rural skills-based
competition featuring four men
and four women.
“Part of changing the Rural
Bachelor competition is us
acknowledging that times have
changed, and it’s important
to recognise the role and
contribution of rural women,”
says Peter. “This year four
women will compete against
four men in the Fieldays Rural
Catch. When we talk about ‘the
future of farming’, equality and
representation is part of that.”
Fieldays marketing and
communications manager, Taryn
Storey says There is plenty of
excitement around the release of
the Fieldays App made possible
through the work Bay of Plenty
company GPS-it did mapping
the entire Mystery Creek site.
The App allows visitors to create
Former MasterChef New Zealand winner Brett McGregor will MC the new Kitchen Theatre.
the quickest and easiest routes
around the site to any specific
location they require.
“It also means you can get
directions, complete with walking
pace and meet people wherever
you want to,” says Taryn.
“On a 114 ha site the ability
to define directions is huge.
We’ve enhanced the search
capabilities so when you search
for something it returns more
detailed and accurate results
than ever before. On the back
of previous feedback we have
included layers like the all
important coffee carts and
toilets.” The same functionality
is available on the new Fieldays
website.
The GPS process has also made
it far easier for exhibitors to
prepare sites. Previously they
needed to get sites inspected by
Fieldays staff before digging any
hole. Now most of that process
can be done remotely.
Also new this year - and part of
the 50th celebration - is a pre-
Fieldays roadshow across the
country, bringing expert speakers
to each location and meeting
people, in recognition of Fieldays’
role as a national event.
“We are national event so we are
going from the bottom of the
South to the top of the North
Island,” says Taryn.
‘Fieldays is very much about
stories. We hear regularly that
Fieldays is the only time that
farmers get off-farm and it’s a
great opportunity for them to
catch up with friends and family.
Those stories happen naturally
and the roadshow is about us
celebrating them and the people
that actually make this event
what it is.”
The events occur on May 19 in
Winton, May 26, Fielding, June 2,
Kerikeri and June 9 in Te Puke.
“Each event will be very much
community-based, encouraging
families to come along and share
their story over a coffee, a hot
dog and various games.”
Fixing fences and driving tractors is men’s work
Not a chance says New Zealand
Agricultural Fieldays as this year
organisers have opened the
entry criteria for Fieldays Rural
Bachelor, allowing both male and
female contestants to enter the
competition.
Under the new title of Rural
Catch, four men and four women
will compete for the coveted title.
Fieldays Rural Bachelor has been
a popular fixture on the Fieldays
calendar for 13 years, searching
New Zealand and Australia to find
eight talented rural competitors
to test their skill both on and
off the farm to find the ultimate
champion.
Between challenges the finalists
would attend rural functions and
activities, meeting and spending
time with a group of rural women
known as the Gumboot Girls, but
that’s all about to change.
Fieldays major event manager Lee
Picken says there are women all
over the country working in the
rural sector and it’s about time the
competition caught up.
“In the past we’ve had women
coming along to support the men
but that’s just so outdated. They
can do the work just like men so
now they can compete just like
men” said Lee.
The changes to the competition
recognise the role both men and
women play in the agriculture
industry and support for the new
format has been huge.
Last year’s winner Matthew
McAtamney says the changes
will bring a new element to the
competition and will make great
entertainment.
“There are heaps of really talented
people working in the industry,
and I think this year’s finalists
will be putting it all on the line to
show New Zealand what they’ve
got” said Matthew.
The format of the competition
will remain the same and there
won’t be any gender specific
competition or titles, however
the name Fieldays Rural Bachelor
won’t cut it anymore.
“This competition is about
celebrating the talented men and
women working in the agricultural
industry and giving them the
opportunity to take a break and
meet some new people.
“It’s a search to find the ultimate
rural catch so this year’s finalists
will be competing for the title of
Fieldays Rural Catch of the Year”
said Lee.
Not only are the finalists a catch
for any potential love interest but
their rural skills and knowledge of
agricultural business makes them
a catch for any employer, business
partner and the wider industry.
Partnered by Farmlands
Co-operative, the competition
is exclusively for singles but Lee
says you won’t find any rose
ceremonies here.
“Yes it would be nice to see our
finalists find love but we won’t
be matchmaking. Over the
years we’ve seen romances and
bromances blossom and honestly
that’s all we really want.
“Rural life can mean long hours in
remote locations so it’s all about
finding support and building
networks” said Lee.
Rural Bachelor People's Choice winner Gordon Mill,
left and overall winner Matthew McAtamney.