Jim van der Poel Honoured for 40 Years of Service to Dairy Industry
Dairy industry leader Jim van der Poel didn't make much of the invitation he received to the recent New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua.
He said winning the dairy manager of the year title gave him a chance to learn, grow, and excel.
"It has increased my confidence level and my capability to give my best back to the dairy industry.
"I want to say to the entrants out there in the audience, I can see myself in you guys when I started two years ago, when I first entered the awards to challenge myself and see where I was as a dairy farmer.
"The NZDIA were like a mirror for me. I was able to see my weaknesses and my strengths. I worked hard on those things, and you can see now where I am. Wherever you end up in the placings, keep taking the opportunities to enter again and use the valuable feedback to work on.
"I want to say a huge thank you, to the NZDIA and all the people behind it for creating these platforms to encourage people like me to get out of their comfort zone and think outside the box, and to give back to the industry. Thanks to sponsors and industry partners as well. I hope you guys will keep supporting NZDIA and support our future industry leaders."
Singh said the recognition he got after winning the award was amazing.
"Me and my wife Ruby were overwhelmed with the media interviews, new job opportunities and greetings, not only from New Zealand, but from my home country and over the world as well.
"I would say our dairy industry is going through a lot of challenges which are not limited to environmental issues, staff shortages, rising inflation cost, and fluctuating milk prices. But we farmers face challenges every day, learn from them and get ready for new challenges. Hopefully, people outside the dairy industry understand these factors and value us farmers for what we do."
