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Professional Development

To The Core - Leadership and governance development programme

This introduction to Governance enables you to take your Director skills to the next level and gain valuable insights and training with "To the Core", supported by Farmlands, Silver Fern Farms, LIC and sponsored by AGMARDT. 

Want to take your governance career to the next level?
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Silver Fern Farms Co-operative, Farmlands Co-operative, and LIC are pleased to welcome applications for our award-winning rural governance leadership programme - To The Core.

This unique programme has been designed for Silver Fern Farms Co-operative, Farmlands and LIC shareholders and gives participants an opportunity to learn more about governance in our co-operatives, as well as developing skills needed to operate at board level.

 

Where: Novotel Christchurch Airport

When: 16-18 June 2025

What: We will have an outstanding lineup of speakers, as well as opportunities to discuss issues impacting boards.

 

Topics include: 

  • A perspective on agribusiness co-operative boards - strategy and structure
  • How to navigate boards through risk and market disruption
  • The future of farming and impacts for boards
  • CEO and Chair panel

 

Rave Reviews for To The Core 2024

Award-winning rural governance leadership programme  To The Core was held over 3 days in Christchurch in early-June, and feedback has again been first class.

Created in a partnership between Silver Fern Farms, Farmlands and LIC, To The Core is developing the next generation of governance talent for the three co-operatives, and the wider rural community.

This year To The Core attracted 94 applicants from across the Food and Fibre sectors, leaving organisers the difficult task of selecting the final 24. 

The speakers were a who’s who of the sector including Rob Hewett, Corrigan Sowman, Dawn Sangster, David Chin, Dan Boulton, Julia Jones, Tim Gibson, Trevor Burt, Richard Young, Cassandra Crowley, Lain Jager, Leanne Crozier and Amanda Malu. 

They spoke about their respective co-operatives, key areas of governance focus and their own governance journeys, together with macro and geo-political events and risks that impact farming here in New Zealand.

“I was absolutely delighted with the high level of engagement of this year’s cohort,” says Clark Taylor, who facilitated the programme. “The future pipeline of governors for our rural co-operatives really is in good hands if this year’s group is anything to go by.”

Should you have any questions about To The Core, please contact Clark Taylor (Shareholder Relations Manager, Silver Fern Farms) clark.taylor@silverfernfarms.com or phone 029 9145060

Participant Feedback

"Fantastic initiative between the co-ops to help secure a future pathway for directors. Clark awesome job on time management and keeping on track !!"

" This has been a brilliant few days.  A great group of people were selected to attend, very balanced group.  Fantastic experienced and open speakers who were very willing to share their knowledge and experiences. A great variety on sessions, was good to be challenged on our thought processes."

"I would like to thank everyone who had a hand in organising the course, all the speaker and facilitators were fantastic and it was truly inspiring"
"I believe running courses like this will only help the NZ Agri sector and make our governance strong across the industry. It's hard for younger people to get involved and this has been a great insight… I look forward to seeing where some of the course attendees end up in the future. Thank you for the opportunity"

 

Leadership and Governance Development Programme graphic

Robbie Burnside Governance Scholarship

The Robbie Burnside Governance Scholarship is supported by Silver Fern Farms Co-operative. The scholarship will cover up to 50% of the cost of the approved programme, to a maximum of $10,000. The programmes provide the opportunity for Silver Fern Farms Co-operative shareholders to gain knowledge, skills and experience to contribute as governors of co-operative agribusinesses. There are four programmes supported through the Scholarship.

  • Fonterra Governance Development Programme
  • Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme
  • Agri-Women’s Development Trust — Escalator Programme
  • Mayfield/Co-operative Business NZ Governance Development Programme.

For an application please contact Clark Taylor at clark.taylor@silverfernfarms.co.nz or on 029 914 5060.