Youth Ag-Summit participants selected

Youth Ag-Summit participants selected

New Zealand to send six delegates to global ag-summit
• Focus on feeding a growing world population
• World map on www.youthagsummit.com shows where delegates come from
• Event to take place August 24-28, 2015 in Canberra, Australia

Auckland, 16 June, 2015 – Six forward-thinking and passionate young people have been selected to represent New Zealand at a summit focused on solving one of the world’s most important issues – how to feed a growing population.

Hamish Clarke, James Robertson, Zach Mounsey (Waikato), Sarah Crofoot (Wairarapa), Rosario Monzales (Massey) and Shaun Snoxell (South Canterbury) will join 100 delegates aged 18 to 25 and from 33 countries, who have been selected for the second global Youth Ag-Summit.

The Summit which is themed “Feeding a Hungry Planet” takes place in Canberra, Australia, on 24 - 28 August, 2015. It is hosted by Future Famers Network Australia and Bayer CropScience.

Bayer New Zealand Managing Director Dr Holger Detje, who also heads Bayer New Zealand’s CropScience division, says he is impressed with the quality of the New Zealand delegates.

“To select the delegates we ran an essay competition and I must say the quality of the work submitted was outstanding. Entrants had to outline their position and ideas on the underlying causes of food insecurity and its effect on a growing population. The challenges and solutions identified highlight that opportunities like the Youth Ag-Summit provide a great platform to continue further discussions on what is increasingly an important topic.

“We believe there is a need for young leaders to be engaged in finding sustainable agricultural solutions to the growing global need for safe and nutritious food. The Youth Ag-Summit is an opportunity to broaden the perspectives from others around the world. It will also enable young leaders to further grow personally and develop their knowledge,” says Detje.

The New Zealand delegation will be accompanied by a mentor and once in Canberra will network, hear from guest speakers and participate in debates, discussions, group-work and industry tours. The purpose of the Summit is to generate innovative, sustainable and actionable solutions which will be driven by their leadership.

During the Summit, the delegates identify, connect and create ideas to progress agriculture around the world. This collaborative approach aims to leave them with actionable ideas they take back to their home countries to embed into their personal operations and careers.

The delegates are from the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA and Vietnam.

Visit the website www.youthagsummit.com to meet the delegates and for more information on the Youth Ag-Summit.

New Zealand delegation

Hamish Clarke
Keen outdoors man Hamish grew up on his family deer, dairy and dairy support farm near Otorohanaga in the Waikato. His passion for innovation and leadership within agriculture and food supply chains led him to study a Bachelor of Agriculture Science at Lincoln University. Currently, Hamish is completing his Masters of Agricultural Science for which he is researching the viability of robotic milking (AMS) in farm systems in Canterbury with the support of a OneFarm scholarship.
James Robertson
James was brought up on a 200 cow pedigree Holstein Friesian farm in the Waikato. During his school years he was heavily involved with the New Zealand Young Farmers association and their TeenAg programmes and competitions. James’s passion for agriculture and business meant that studying a Bachelor of AgriCommerce at Massey University was the perfect fit for him. Currently, James is majoring in International Business and hopes to experience different agricultural systems around the world.

Zach Mounsey
Zach’s passion for the agricultural industry stems from his upbringing on his parent’s dairy farm in Otorohanga, Waikato. He has completed a Bachelor of Management Studies majoring in Finance and Strategic Management as well as a New Zealand Diploma in Business. Zach’s engagement with the agricultural industry has seen him become a Chairman of Federated Farmers in Otorohanga, a Fonterra Networker, an Economist at DairyNZ and have a partnership in a dairy farm.

Rosario Pillar Monzales
Known to friends and family as Rio, Rosario was exposed to the farming community in her early life through her farmer grandparents. She has since worked for two international NGOs in the Philippines that advocate nutrition and food security for impoverished children and families. Currently, Rosario is studying a Master of Science in Human Nutrition at Massey University. She enjoys travelling because it allows her to explore nature and the different cultures around the world.

Sarah Crofoot
Sarah grew up 45 minutes north of New York City on a seventh generation farm. She moved to New Zealand when she was 8 and her family farm Castelpoint Station, a sheep and beef property in Wairarapa. Sarah completed a Bachelor of AgriCommerce at Massey University, Palmerston North, and graduated with 1st Class Honors. She also completed a post graduate in International Trade and Agri Food, half of which was completed while studying at the University of Missouri in the US.

Shaun Snoxell
Shaun spent his childhood growing up on his parents’ dairy farm near Waimate, South Canterbury. After finishing school in 2011, he decided to take a gap year and spent time volunteering in Africa. This experience gave him a passion for poverty alleviation and led him to pursue a career in agriculture development. After returning from his travels, Shaun began studying towards a B.Commerce and Agriculture Degree at Lincoln University. He hopes to someday work in International Rural Development.

ENDS

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