42 | MEAT & WOOL » Jeff Farm About getting the best start possible A full-time, two-year course, the training consists of many diverse elements. Randall Johnston As far as on-farm cadetships in the lower South Island go, there aren’t many with the reputation and commitment to giving a solid grounding in the basics of farming as Jeff Farm’s. Jeff Farm is a 2360ha-effective property located south-east of Gore. Manager Mike Benton says they have a mix of sheep (15,000 ewes), beef (450 Angus cows) and deer (530 red hinds) with all progeny finished on-farm – giving cadets experience across a diverse range of farming sectors. The farm was bequeathed to the Salvation Army back in 1954, when it ‘wasn’t in great shape and covered in gorse’ under the condition that it was used to train underprivileged kids in agriculture. Traditionally a sheep and beef farm, the deer were then introduced before the beef component was added. Mike and Tarryn Benton took over from John and Liz Chittock about a year ago, after working alongside them for 18 months prior to that. “John and Liz really solidified the programme over the last 20 years and we have been lucky enough to have been able to build on it from there,” Mike explains. Mike previously managed Otiwhiti Station, near Hunterville in the Rangitikei district of the North Island which also has an outstanding reputation for its training course. He also managed a station at Omarama, before starting his role on Jeff Farm. “I was quite keen to get back into a training role, which is something that I had found a passion for at Otiwhiti,” Mike explains. “I don’t like to put the cadets in a box and insist that they leave here as shepherds, they will all of course acquire those skills, but different people have different interests and paths in the wider agricultural industry. We have one cadet who has found a real passion for deer and that’s been fantastic and something that we have really encouraged.” “For us it’s about partnering with the right people with the right skills and ensuring that our cadets leave here with some formal qualifications. For example, we work with Competenz in Balclutha for our chainsaw (forestry) course and use Alexandra Shearer Stacey Te Huia, who has a world title and is super passionate.” They also have opportunities to gain Level 3 Primary ITO qualifications (sheep, beef and deer), with some starting Level 4 before finishing their cadetships. The annual intake at Jeff Farm is two to three new cadets per year (maintaining five cadets on • Drainage & Excavation • Gravel & Rock Supply • Site Works • Bulk & General Earthworks • Aggregate Cartage • High Pressure Drain Cleaning • Muck Spreading Ken Adams - 027 445 5813 Craig Ross - 027 224 4880 admin@k2kontracting.co.nz K2 KONTRACTING LTD farm at any one time), a level that Mike says ‘seems to be about the right balance’, and more females are expressing interest than ever before. Anyone between the ages of 16 and 20 can apply who have ideally completed their education to a NCEA Level 2 standard (or its equivalent) and they need to have a restricted license. Generally, they have about 20 people apply each year. Jeff Farm Trust also offers grants that support various Salvation Army programmes. A full-time, two-year course, the training consists of many diverse elements; assisting with “For us it’s about partnering with the right people with the right skills and ensuring that our cadets leave here with some formal qualifications.” drenching and shearing, deer weaning, getting young stock used to being guided with horses and dogs. Every cadet gets a pup to train up as a working dog, building to three or four dogs by the time they graduate. Applications have now closed for this round, but those interested in the next round keep an eye out on the Jeff Farm website (https://jefffarm.salvationarmy.org.nz) for an Open Day date for August 2025.
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