New Zealand Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust
16 October 2006
2007 Nuffield Scholars Announced
The New Zealand Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust is pleased to announce that the 2007 scholars are Les Keeper, Jane
Mitchell and Steven Sterne.
Nuffield Farming Scholarships promote leadership and innovative practices in agriculture through worldwide study and
networking. The highly sought after scholarships also give an opportunity to develop a better understanding of New
Zealand and international relationships by studying farming, marketing or organisational practices.
Les Keeper is the managing director of a large scale dairy operation in Southland. Les’s study topic will examine ‘dairy
value added consumer business - changes to share and investment structures’. He plans to use his scholarship to research
a value-added strategy for Fonterra from a farming shareholder’s understanding.
Jane Mitchell manages a sheep, beef and deer property in Central Otago. Jane will study how New Zealand can take a
positive approach to the increasing pressure on farms to operate in an environmentally sensitive manner. She wants to
examine overseas markets and identify the opportunities and threats for New Zealand.
Steven Sterne operates an outdoor pig farm in North Canterbury. Steven will research the type of marketing model best
suited to maximising profits for farms on the size and scale of his pig farm. Steven’s objective is to explore the most
efficient method of converting pork into value added products ready for sale in New Zealand and offshore markets.
“The quality of candidates for the scholarships was high, and it was difficult to narrow the selection down. The
successful candidates’ strong commitment to their industry impressed the selection panel,” said Nuffield chairman Stuart
Wright.
“I am sure that the scholarships will help the winners develop their leadership skills and networks," said Mr Wright.
Background:
Nuffield farming scholarships are funded by Dairy InSight, Meat & Wool New Zealand, the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation, Rabobank, FMG, Landcorp, HB Williams Turanga Trust and Federated
Farmers of New Zealand.
Nuffield Farming Scholarships have been offered to over 100 innovative New Zealand farmers over the past 50 years.
Nuffield scholars from all over the world meet in Europe at the beginning of the scholarship for briefings and supported
tours. New Zealand scholars then continue their own travel and study, with support from the United Kingdom Nuffield
Trust. A North American tour is also offered.
Scholars return with new knowledge and wide contacts and many have become prominent in the farming community and in
other walks of New Zealand life. They have been represented in government, on agricultural producer boards, in major
cooperatives, and in agricultural organisations, as well as taking leading roles within their communities. All have made
significant contributions to the development of rural New Zealand.
For more information on Nuffield visit www.nuffield.org.nz.
ENDS