When Jake Jarman entered the Taranaki-Manawatū regional heat of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition, it was more about giving it a go rather than thinking he was going to win.
After all, it was his first time competing in the event.
However, once he won the regional contest back in January – and with it a place in the grand final – there was no doubt the 24-year-old ANZ relationship associate was going to give it his best shot.
“I’m a very competitive person. I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself and set myself a really high standard,” Jarman said.
Jarman was in Napier to watch the previous grand final in 2019 (the 2020 event was cancelled due to covid-19) and got some inspiration from seeing James Robertson, who was 22 at the time, come out on top.
“I think it really went to prove that age isn’t a barrier in this competition,” he said.
“It also showed that you could be a rural professional and still be successful, that it takes an all-round person.”
However, going into the national final his primary focus was on performing to the best of his ability and being competitive.
He took it a little further than that, winning the agri-business, agri-sports and agri-knowledge awards during the grand final on his way to winning the title.
“I loved the practical day; the challenge of having to multitask under time pressure and be a bit strategic,” he said.
The competitors are not told what the practical tasks will be prior to the event.
They are given a gear list a fortnight before the final but that’s it.
“We needed things like a spade, hammer, pliers, tin snips, health and safety things, so you can have a bit of a guess and knowing who the sponsors are helps, but, apart from that, you’re going in pretty blind,” he said.
He’s grateful for the help he received from friends, family and his employers before and during the grand final, including vocal support at the practical day, the group of mates who helped with general study and preparation, and his work colleagues who helped with practicing his presentation.
While his rural roots have always been strong, Jarman says there was a time he was planning on studying meteorology.
“I really enjoyed science and maths, but my love of agriculture classes won out,” he said.
He has a Bachelor of Agri-commerce and a Masters in Agri-science from Lincoln University and Massey University respectively.
“I opted to go down the commerce route for my studies because it’s always been something I’ve found interesting,” he said.
“When I did my masters we looked at the financial aspect of the farm system change we investigated, which was something I really enjoyed.”
After completing his studies, Jarman headed home to work on the family dairy farm in Inglewood, the fifth generation to work on the property.
“I loved being home and working with my parents; it’s a privilege in many ways to work land that’s been in the family for so long,” he said.
At the same time, Jarman worked part-time as a farm systems research graduate with Dairy Trust Taranaki on its Living Below the Fat Evaluation Index supplementary feeding research project, which seeks to compare alternatives to feeding PKE in an attempt to lower the fat evaluation index of milk.
Earlier this year, Jarman headed back down south, having landed a position with ANZ’s rural lending team in Ashburton.
His job involves working alongside relationship managers, helping customers to start, grow and maintain their rural businesses.
“Since day one it’s been a challenge and a steep learning curve, but I’m really enjoying it and feel like this is where I’m meant to be for now,” he said.
“It’s a really good learning experience; I want to make a positive impact and add some value to the sector.”
As he showed by winning this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year title, Jarman’s not afraid of extending himself beyond where he’s been before.
“If you’re not out of your comfort zone, you’re not really growing,” he said.
He says the six other grand finalists pushed him all the way during the grand final.
“My fellow competitors certainly didn’t make it easy and, honestly, I feel like it was anyone’s game for the whole three days. It’s been a privilege getting to know them and to now call them friends,” he said.
Despite this being his first year competing, Jarman has been involved in Young Farmers since university and has lapped up every opportunity to take advantage of what the organisation offers.
“Young Farmers is a lot about networks and a lot about meeting like-minded people. I’ve been a member of four clubs as I’ve moved around the country, so I have friends in all parts of the country now,” he said.
As for the future, Jarman has his eye on farm ownership and raising a family on the land, just like his parents.
“Having that family environment on a farm would be incredible. I really enjoyed my childhood and the opportunities that came from the farm. I want to provide that for my family when I reach that age and stage in life,” he said.
For now, he’s keen to stay in the rural professional space, save his pennies for his long-term goals and be as involved in the industry as much as he can.
He sees the NZ farming sector as having a great future, although there are challenges, one of which is not everyone understanding the sector’s story and contribution.
“We’re world leaders in producing food and fibre,” he said.
“We’re very fortunate that we’ve got a great launchpad with our pastoral-based production system.
“It’s a great foundation and point of difference. We’ve just got to make sure we stay at the forefront.”
