| 11 With new quarters planned this year, Jeff Farm is aiming to recruit three new cadets for their 2027 intake, rather than just two. RURAL PEOPLE » Jeff Farm With new quarters planned this year, Jeff Farm is aiming to recruit three new cadets for their 2027 intake, rather than just two. “What we look for in our cadet applicants is attitude: young people who are willing to step outside their comfort zone and ask questions. They need to be bold, brave, and willing to work hard. Our recruits are aged between 16 and 20 years. Ideally, they will already have a restricted driver’s licence and a vehicle to get around in too.” Jeff Farm’s 2026 cadet intake – Ollie WalkerLeach, Lilly McQueen and James Read – will be taking people around the farm on the 2026 Open Day, answering questions and filling them in on what to expect. CALL NOW FOR A JOB WELL DONE Get the best for your sheep for e ciency & reliability Phone Mark Spain or Martin Smith - 03 218 3712 Martin Smith 027 432 8930 or Email: o ce@spainsmith.co.nz Proud to be associated with Jeff Farm Last year’s graduating cadets, Gavin Perkin and Ben Fifield, are already out working as shepherds - at Ben Callum Station and Caberfeidh Station respectively - with a great future ahead of them. Included in the cadet programme are skills like stock handling, shearing, training of working dogs, fence building, and learning about new technology and animal genetics. Mike says the focus recently has been on formalising the programme to be more structured and to include more events, such as shearing competitions. (Jeff Farm’s second year cadets, Jake Anderson and Noah Monson, recently took part in Southern Shears 2026, and did very well in their first such competition). Meanwhile, Jeff Farm has a new head shepherd, Jake Faulkner, himself a former cadet (Growing Future Farmers), now with five years’ shepherding experience behind him. Rounding out the team are stock manager Henry Smith, with Josh Gibson as the farm’s fencer/tractor driver and his wife Maisie as the farm’s cook. For more on Jeff Farm’s Open Day 2026, go to the Salvation Army website (under Education & Learning/Jeff Farm) or the Jeff Farm Facebook page. Peter CORCORAN & CAIRNSCONTRACTING LTD CONTRAC We’ve got the experience & the equipment to do the job right. We pride ourselves on top results. www.rbrural.co.nz rbruralltd@gmail.com OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES • Production Animal Veterinary Services • Nutrition Consulting and Products • Animal Management • Stock Water and Culverts • Dairy Shed Supplies • Electric + Conventional Fencing Proud to support Jeff Farm
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