YOUNG FARMERS LOOK AHEAD

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28701, 26 September 1958, Page 13 (Supplement)

YOUNG FARMERS LOOK AHEAD

By

ALLAN WRIGHT,

Immediate Past President, N.Z. Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs.

rpWENTY-FIVE years have A passed since the Young Farmers’ organisation began in New Zealand. The first clubs were formed to further agricultural education among young farmers and this still remains the most important aim of the movement.

Three clubs were formed in Otago in 1933 and from that small beginning the organisation has increased to 370 clubs and 10,000 members.

The minimum age for members is 14, though the maximum age first fixed at 25 was later raised to 30.

In 1936, the Y.F.C. Federation accepted an offer made by the Department of Agriculture to provide the services »of its field instructors as district secretaries and organisers. The offer also included a full-time secretary with headquarters in Wellington. This assistance from the department has been continued along much the same lines for the last 22 years. The Y.F.C. was just reaching the point of firm establishment in all parts o'f the Dominion when World War II caused a temporary set-back, but the re-establish-ment of the movement took place rapidly.

In June. 1944, there were 72 clubs, a total which had grown to 210 by June, 1946. Of the pre-war membership of almost 6000, more than 3500 saw active service, of whom 500 lost their lives. As a memorial to those who paid the supreme sacrifice, £20,000 was raised and two memorial buildings were erected at Lincoln and Massey Colleges, providing an enduring and creative memorial to the war services of the movement’s members.

These two buildings enable Y.F.C. members to take advantage of special short courses arranged for them from time to time at the colleges. What has the Y.F.C. done for the rural youth of this country 9 One has only to see the way which young men now take an active part in community life. Leadership Apart from the most important aspect of agricultural education, members receive the training for leadership through taking an active part in such club activities as debating, impromptu speeches, and the correct procedure of addressing and controlling meetings.

Other activitiei which give members good training for future farming and community life are stock judging, organising field days, and ploughing matches, and generally it could be said that services to the community have been at all times in the forefront of Y.F.C. activities. Today, after 25 years, members who have passed through the ranks can be seen throughout the Dominion on education boards, municipal and urban councils, dairy factories’ boards, and community undertakings.

The Y.F.C. movement in Canterbury was started in 1934 and by 1939 there were 38 clubs. At present there are 78 clubs, a figure which, although satisfactory, is by no means a complete coverage of the entire area in the South Island north of the Waitaki river. Today, New Zealand grazes more than 40,000,000 sheep; dairy cows exceed 2,000,000, with total cattle having passed the 5,500.000 mark. There are also 66,000 tractors in use today.

Changing Times These figures 'compared with those at the time the movement was started show we are living in a rapidly changing era and the day has passed when almost all a young man was required to be able to do was to handle a horse and set a plough. Farming is now a highly scientific business, and the young farmer more than anyone else appreciated the changes that are taking place from year to year. One of the worries the leaders of the movement are facing today is the urban sprawl and the drift to the town.

By the agricultural education, community leadership, and fellowship received, the young farmers’ movement develops within its membership. We feel that the future of New Zealand faxming, which at this moment is standing at the crossroads, will head along the road to prosperity and progress. This correct path will be directed in no small way by the schooling and grooming received by members in the methods and training of farming in the past, present and future. The aims of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs is to Improve the standard of farming arid the obligations of citizenship of all young farmers. Such aims must Ultimately affect also the standards of life of New Zealand as a whole.