125 years of supporting local farmers
Brian Dineen, Martin O’Connor, Stephen Todd and Kerry Irvine are some of the volunteer members from Nelson Federated Farmers who are proud to be part of the 125-year journey of supporting farmers. Photo: Supplied.
Federated Farmers last month marked 125 years of advocating for New Zealand’s farmers through 24 regional groups.
Their efforts benefit everyone connected to agriculture, including the local communities of Nelson and Tasman, often without recognition.
Nelson Federated Farmers played key voluntary roles in evacuating and caring for livestock during the 2019 Pigeon Valley fires and responding to the 2022 flooding in Nelson, rescuing stock, including heavily pregnant cows. When it became clear that pasture for animals would be unavailable for months due to flood damage, they arranged care and transport for hundreds of animals over an extended period.
Policy and law changes from the local council, such as the recent Stock Control and Droving Bylaw, which caused a few headaches for farmers in Nelson, Tasman, and Golden Bay, prompted active involvement from Nelson Federated Farmers. As farmers, they are best positioned to understand what works best on their farms, making them the leading voice in discussions about necessary changes.
The federation’s roots go back to 18 September, 1899, established by a dairy farmer, and over the past 125 years has adapted and evolved to consistently support and advocate for farmers and growers, who are the backbone of New Zealand’s economy.
“We are the only local farming organisation that actively engages with the council to discuss improvements, and that’s what makes us different from other groups,” Nelson Federated Famers president and Murchison dairy farmer Stephen Todd explains.
“We get in front of regulation and lawmakers and explain, with examples, on how what’s happening impacts farmers and what changes can be made. We have had a lot of success by having honest conversations with suggested solutions. There’s always groups discussing stuff affecting farming, we are a group that isn’t just discussing things, we are getting changes.”
Stephen highlights that making changes requires teamwork, and this would not be possible without the invaluable support of local volunteers dedicating their time to the Nelson Federated Farmers team, alongside the commitment of local members paying their annual subscriptions.
Whether you raise animals, consume fruits and vegetables, or simply enjoy meat, you have likely benefited from their efforts over the years without even realising it.