Launched in Canterbury as part of the Red Meat Profit Partnership Action Network Group, the initiative is bringing together small groups of rural professionals to work towards a shared focus and goals.
The group of 12 rural professionals has joined forces to develop their skills in helping farmers make positive changes.
RMPP group facilitator Richard Brown said the action group model lets young professionals achieve their goals as facilitators and experts.
“The core objective for the group is to build the rural professional capability toolkit to help enable a sustainable future for farming.
“These young rural professionals are all very skilled people who are equally passionate about supporting farmers to help ensure the future of farming,” Brown said.
“It’s a very effective forum for generating ideas and driving practice change because it’s about small groups.
“You put that into a facilitated setting and bring in subject matter experts. It’s a powerful model.”
Brown said it is an effective way for rural professionals to test different styles and ways of working with farmers and fine tune their approach.
Since the group was formed it has focused on building financial literacy and self-awareness and development, including inviting a panel of farmers into a session to reflect on communication styles.
“It’s provided an opportunity for rural professionals to practice having conversations with farmers and resulted in some key learnings, including the importance of organisation and communication in meeting with farmers.”
RMPP is a seven-year Primary Growth Partnership programme working to help the red meat sector increase productivity and profitability.
The programme is funded by ANZ, Alliance, Anzco, Beef + Lamb, Blue Sky Meats, Greenlea Premier Meats, Progressive Meats, Rabobank, Silver Fern Farms and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
It works alongside farmers and sector businesses to develop, test and introduce new ways of engaging with information and technology.
