Course organiser:Kathryn Ell & Tim de Castro
3 Jul:
John McKenzie on 'The seed Industry: 'John McKenzie is group general manager for PGG Wrightson Seeds and is responsible for all aspects of the company's world wide operations. Amongst other matters he will talk to us about the importance and diversification of the seed industry in Canterbury. In 1986 he founded the forage seed company Agricom. He still has farming interests in mid-Canterbury.
10 Jul:
Doug and Gabi Michael on 'Gladfield Malt: 'Doug and Gabi come to us from Gladfield Malt. For generations the Michael family of Dunsandel have grown prime quality malting barley in Canterbury. Gladfield Malt, established in 2003, builds on this reputation. Doug and Gabi will share their enthusiasm for producing a product that is widely sought after by breweries.
17 Jul:
David Acland on 'Mount Somers Station: 'The Acland family bought Mt Somers station from the Bob Burnett estate in 1983. Having completed his B Ag Sc at Lincoln, done his globe trotting and marrying Kate, David took over management of Mt Somers station in 2010. It is now a large scale sheep, beef and deer farm with a dairy unit added last year. David will tell us how this has been achieved.
24 Jul:
Tom Gilroy on 'The role of nurseries: 'Tom comes from Gilroy Nurseries - a local Garden Centres and Nurseries company.
31 Jul:
Lynda Murchison: Lynda & her husband Jock have farmed a sheep & beef property in the Weka Pass, North Canterbury since 2005. Previously they were at Lake Coleridge where the Murchisons have farmed since 1878. For the last 18 years Lynda has worked in Resource Management for district councils and Ngai Tahu. She is a part time lecturer at UC and President of Nth Canterbury Federated Farmers..