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Rick Pridmore
A LARGE and effective network involving farmers is the only way of effecting change in the dairy industry, according to Dr Rick Pridmore, DairyNZ’s strategy and investment leader for sustainability.
He spent much of last week facilitating a dairy leaders forum in Wellington, at which about 60 dairy farmers from throughout the country heard from a wide range of speakers on ‘sustainability’. The three-day forum culminated in a dinner at Parliament attended by politicians and other industry leaders.
Pridmore says its accepted that sustainability is an issue that needs to be addressed. But he says to give effect to that is not just about the dairy companies telling the farmers what to do. By developing a large network of informed farmers, it is hoped they can spread the key messages effectively, he says.
“It’s about farmers understanding what to do. This forum is about taking the cream of the crop of farmers whom we know are out there who are involved in helping to make decisions about sustainability. This could range from catchment engagement leadership groups or zonal committees in case of Canterbury. This forum is about educating them better so they can do their job better and participate in community processes.”
Pridmore says dairy farmers must learn to work with a huge range of different people and groups such as members of Parliament, regional councils and Fish and Game. He says representatives of all these organisations spoke to the group and there were good healthy debates. Lawyer Mai Chen was among the speakers.
Over the years, about 300 people have gone through this leadership programme and Pridmore says it was so popular this year they had to turn away about 25 people who wanted to attend.
He says there was a real ‘buzz’ at this year’s event with participants wanting to talk to each other because every part of the country is different and people want to learn from each other.
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