Gisborne TeenAg member wins major award at Future Sheep New Zealand

A Gisborne student has won a major accolade at an event design to educate young people about the sheep industry.

Taylor Trott, 16, was named the Allflex NZ Senior Ambassador at the Future Sheep New Zealand event in Hawke’s Bay.

The prestigious award comes with a $1,000 educational travel scholarship.

“I was pretty stoked to win. I wasn’t expecting it, but when they called out my name it was a huge buzz,” said Taylor.

“It’s not every day kids my age get an amazing opportunity like this.”

Taylor is a member of the TeenAg club at Gisborne Girls’ High School.

Her twin Tiffany Trott joined the club first, then Taylor “started tagging along” and really enjoyed it.

Five club members travelled to Hawke’s Bay to compete against 75 students from 13 other schools at Future Sheep New Zealand.

They had to tackle a series of modules.

“It was a lot of fun. We did dog trialling, sheep judging, wool classing, pasture management and animal health,” she said.

“I also had to do interviews and prepare a curriculum vitae and a cover letter.”

The competition was developed to inspire young people about the commercial sheep industry.

“My current plan is to get a cadetship at either Waipaoa Station, Pukemiro Station or Otiwhiti Station,” said Taylor, who lives on an orchard.

“That way I will get qualifications. My big goal is to own my own farm one day.”

The TeenAg club at Gisborne Girls’ High School was set up last year.

Its members are a mix of students who live in town and others who are off farms. It’s an active group.

“In June we attended the Kaharoa Angus bull sale. We were joking that we might place a bid, but the top bull sold for $95,000,” laughed club member Lily Torrie.

“Our TeenAg club is great for girls who don’t have a farming background or are interested in agriculture and horticulture.”

“They can just come along and we can get them involved in workshops and courses,” she said.

Lily is the club’s youngest member and serves at its secretary.

“I’d love to work in agriculture when I’m older,” said the 14-year-old.

“My plan is to study an agri-commerce degree so I can learn more about the business aspects of the industry.”

TeenAg clubs are a key part of the work being done by NZ Young Farmers to attract students into the agri-food sector.

For more information on the competition check out Future Sheep New Zealand’s Facebook page.

© Scoop Media