New Zealand Young Farmers Vice Presidents
Ben Allomes and Stephen Belton have been elected Vice Presidents of New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF). They replace Vice
President Hilary Phillips, who has been elected as President, and Richard Hogue, who resigned after three years as Vice
President.
Ben Allomes was a finalist in this year’s National Bank Young Farmer Contest and is also Taranaki-Manawatu NZYF Chair.
Ben and wife Nicky, whom he met through NZYF, have a seven month old son Jack and sharemilk 320 cows on 140ha at
Woodville, in Tararua. Ben and Nicky were also finalists in the regional Sharemilker of the Year competition earlier
this year.
“My goal is to see NZYF make a positive contribution to New Zealand agriculture by providing training and personal
growth to the future primary industry leaders, while recognising the importance of the social side of life. I want rural
New Zealand to remember what Young Farmers has done, and challenge everyone to feel responsible for the organisation so
we can continue into the future,” says Ben.
NZYF’s reputation for providing a training ground for farm leaders, excellent networking opportunities and involvement
in competitions and the legendary social scene, means many young agribusiness people are joining the club along with
their farming colleagues.
Vice President Stephen Belton is a Senior Field Officer for Ravensdown Fertiliser
Co-operative. He joined NZYF after finishing university as a way to get to know people in a new town, and has been a
member for seven years. Stephen is also currently Tasman NZYF Chair. This year he organised the Tasman regional final of
the National Bank Young Farmer Contest after a third placing the previous year.
“I get a lot out of being a member of NZYF, and I want to encourage others to get involved. I have made some great
friendships and learnt so many new skills through my involvement in NZYF. I would like to see membership increase and
enable people to enjoy the same opportunities that I do,” says Stephen.
New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) is a rural group for people aged 15-31. Membership of NZYF offers young people pathways
to friendship, achievement and knowledge. Run by young people for young people, NZYF welcomes members from all walks of
life. For more information on New Zealand Young Farmers, call 0800 FARMING. New Zealand Young Farmers is an industry
group of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc).