Business Rural North Winter 2021

22 | Fostering farming Richard Loader P aul Crick accepts that his passion for his cho- sen career is very much about the livestock, but it is also about people and that has been tightly threaded throughout his farming journey. “It’s about having the opportunity to grow people in our sector, to make a difference in people’s lives and provide a pathway for those who wouldn’t necessarily have had the opportunity.” says Paul. “The sector needs experienced people and, generally, if you talk to farmers they all want some- one who is skilled and with the right attitude, but who does this? Who lights the fuse and stokes the fire for these people? Who gets them interested, involves them, talks to them and encourages them about farming and what a great career it could be? The guys who are already keen are on their way — you put them on the pathway with support and away they go. But some of those people who are not so sure turn out to be absolutely awesome.” Paul was bitten by the farming bug working on his grandparent’s farm during school holidays and after two years at Otago University made the call to go shepherding. Working in Northern Southland, Otago, Canter- bury and Marlborough Paul got a broad exposure to different farming systems as well as working for some very good people and others who were challenged when it came to people management skill sets. Around 2001 the call of overseas travel knocked on the door and Paul worked in agriculture in South America, did a bit of farming in Canada and the United States along with lambing beats in the UK including the Shetland Islands. Returning to New Zealand in 2006 with an opportunity to take a farm management role in Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre in Masterton on a big coastal property, Paul progressed through to being appointed Director Farms in mid 2017, which entailed overseeing eight sheep, beef and deer farms, along with three dairy farms. “At Taratahi, we were all tutors and we talked about agriculture as a great conduit to building better people.” When Taratahi went into liquidation in 2018, Paul’s employment ceased at the end of June 2019 and, together with his partner Dayanne Almeida, leased neighbouring Glenside and Arahura farms, which had been part of Taratahi’s operation just out of Masterton. RURAL PEOPLE » Glenside Farms: Paul Crick The combined farming unit is 846 hectares effective, of which 220 hectares is cultivatable and the rest typical North Island summer dry hill country. “We purchased the livestock for both those properties and have 5200 sheep, 250 beef and 700 red deer. We’ve just purchased a highly tolerant FE and FEC stud sheep flock out of the Waikato. Our focus is on maternal performance across all breeds, with some semi-finishing.” In line with Paul’s passion for developing people, especially those who may not normally have the opportunity, Glenside takes up to two groups of PITA students (Primary Industry Trades Academy) each week during the school term. “We’ve just had a group of students from Heretaunga College in Upper Hutt. Anecdotally we generally see higher attendance throughout the year as they really enjoy being on farm, learning new skills and getting involved. We’re weighing sheep, body condition scoring, fencing, a bit of hand-piece work and mustering on the hill.” In addition to his farming enterprise Paul and two others saw an opportunity to help farm owners and managers develop and sharpen their people capability and relationship skills. Establishing a venture called Growing Good to Great, they successfully sought 12-months funding from MPI for this new programme, which com- menced February this year. “The key to the programme is that it’s done in two layers, one consisting of the farm owners and managers and the other consisting of their 2ICs. The principle is that people get to look at them- selves by doing an online behavior and personality assessment (DISC Profile), which places them in one of four categories. They begin to understand themselves, how they communicate and how they like to be communicated with. Rather than exter- nalising and blaming others, they’re looking in the mirror to understand what they can do to influence outcomes.” Since establishing the programme fifteen busi- nesses have got involved with 120 people enrolled. “It’s that classic line — ‘people don’t leave the company, they leave their manager’. If you can build the people, the people will build the business. We as leaders, owners, managers of businesses in our sector have a responsibility to develop people. If owners and managers can seek the right skills through professional development, or we can provide that like we’re doing with Growing Good to Great, that’s really powerful and makes an impact.” Glenside’s Paul Crick EID tagging lambs. PERFORMANCE•MATERNAL•PRODUCT ION Waipapa Station, 163 Clemett Road, Te Akau W twinoaksangus.co.nz E twinoaksangus@gmail.com Contact Roger & Susan Hayward: 07 8282 131 ANGUS STUD - TE AKAU NZ PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH GLENSIDE FARM ANNUAL 2 YEAR BULL SALE 11th June 2021 On farm and online with AuctionsPlus Your largest range of side by sides in the Wairarapa We service and repair all makes and models of ATV’s, Side by Sides and Bikes. Proud to support Glenside Farm Ltd High Street, Carterton Ph. 06 379 7887 www.sargentmotorcycles.nz