Online Rural Trader provides top network

Online Rural Trader provides top network

A special rural-oriented website, which has been launched this week, will present a rapidly-expanding range of rural news, views and trade to people with interests in the country and outdoors.

Set up by business partners Irish farmer and marketing expert Dave Meaney, now living in Te Awamutu, and Kiwi sharemilker and IT specialist, Robert Watkins, of Ohakune, the online site has been built specifically for farmers and rural people, and provides a range of free daily services on stock markets, weather, current events and news relevant to rural communities.

As well, there are blogs, forums and areas of special interest and hobbies, and also sites for those seeking expert advice on specific topics.

“We set it up because we realised there was a need for something that was specially for farmers ands rural people, where they can get information they want quickly and easily, and where they can exchange ideas and get good advice,” says Mr Meaney.

While the site is based in Te Awamutu, it has national application.

“We hope farmers around the country will join in and share their ideas and thoughts with others.”

Mr. Meaney says there is no cost to register on the site – www.ruraltrader.co.nz – and feedback will be sought on ways the site can be expanded or improved.

Already it has sections for general farming information, daily news, rural issues, farm equipment, hobbies and interests, home and leisure, “green fingers”, regular weather updates, outdoor columns on hunting, fishing and conservation, horticulture and organics.

As well, Rural Trader offers what it hopes will be a rolling series of rural community funding projects, where online voters have the chance to nominate rural non-profit groups and organisations for eligibility for funds.

“We’re putting up $11,100 to kick it off, with $5000 for the winner, $2500 for second place, $1500 for third, and the other seven top finalists each getting $300,” says Mr Meaney.

“We’d like people to nominate a good rural cause, register it with Rural Trader, and write us a short, 300-word essay on why it is such a good cause and what the money will be used for. We’d like a photo included too,” he says. “The deadline is April 5.”

He is now seeking long-term sponsors to create a partnership with Rural Trader for the community funding project.

“There are hundreds of country schools, clubs and sporting organisations in rural communities all over New Zealand which will benefit from such a project, and by taking part it people will help to build a stronger community spirit.”

Mr Meaney says Rural Trader welcomes contributions from members of the public on any rural topic.

He says he came to New Zealand for a holiday in 2007 “and I liked it so much I’ve stayed on”.

He has since worked in rural communities in both the North and South Islands, and in doing so realised there was a major gap in the website market for an online rural-oriented trading network to be established.

ENDS

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