Young Farmer of the Year regional winner is Justin Ruygrok from Franklin.
A Franklin dairy farmer has inched closer to national victory after being crowned Northland’s top young farmer.
Justin Ruygrok, 28,was announced as the winner of the Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year on February 1, after spending the day competing in a series of challenges at the Helensville A&P Showgrounds.
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition, now in its 57th year, showcases the best talent in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.
“The whole experience has been awesome, from having a crack at the district contest to now gearing up for the Grand Final. Tim Dangen [FMG Young Farmer of the Year 2022] talked me into entering, so I’ll be hitting him up for some tips.”
Ruygrok clocked up 310.3 points, defeating Auckland Young Farmers member Jack Holloway who finished with a score of 291.4. Kurtis Danks from Kaipara Young Farmers nabbed the final spot on the podium.
Contestants were tested on a broad range of practical skills, technical know-how, and their ability to cope under pressure.
“The practical side was heaps of fun, but the theory, and being up in front of a crowd, was definitely more of a challenge,” Ruygrok said.
“Some of the answers you know, but you’ve got to be quick on the buzzer. I had no idea what to expect heading into the competition, but it was a heap of fun.”
The AgriKidsNZ competition was another crowd favourite. After a busy morning being challenged to their industry know-how, Grace Fitchett, Katie Caldwell, and Renee Hardwick, all 12 years old, from Te Kamo Intermediate, emerged as the region’s victors. Annabelle Baker,11, Deanna Finlayson, 12, and Jenna Crawford, 12, also from Te Kamo Intermediate, placed second, just ahead of Sofia Flores-Jochmann, 10, Madison Lironi-Irvine,10 and Naomi Varney, 9, from Helensville Primary and home-schooled, who trailed close behind.
Meanwhile, Chloe Fergusson and Nicky Wellwood from Whangārei Girls’ High School took out the title of Northern FMG Junior Young Farmers of the Year, ahead of Isla Stephenson and Maddy Cameron from Mount Albert Grammar School.
Along with Ruygrok, the top AgriKidsNZ and FMG Junior teams will now compete in July’s Grand Final in Invercargill.
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