Co-op launches programme to train young farmers in Waikato and Bay of Plenty

Exciting news for the future of dairy! We’re thrilled to announce a new two-year programme in partnership with Growing Future Farmers, designed to help more rangatahi build rewarding careers in dairy. Starting early next year, a pilot programme co-designed by the Co-op will launch in Waikato and Bay of Plenty, offering: ✅ Hands-on farm experience ✅ NZQA-recognised qualifications ✅ Mentorship from Fonterra farmers This is a big step toward building capability and ensuring a thriving dairy sector for years to come. #CareersInDairy #GrowingFutureFarmers #Fonterra #SustainableFuture #Rangatahi

Growing Future Farmers are really excited to announce a multi-year partnership with Fonterra as we collaborate to deliver this pilot programme to support our rangatahi in to the dairy industry. Click here to find out more: https://lnkd.in/gUrNN-2R

Today we’re proud to share that Growing Future Farmers has partnered with Fonterra to pilot a new two-year dairy training programme in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. This builds on what’s at the heart of GFF - real learning on real farms, wrap-around support and farmer-led shared experiences and wisdom - now extended into dairy, co-designed with Fonterra farmers. Thank you to everyone who continues to back this model and the young people stepping into our primary sector. He waka eke noa.

🎉🐮 Exciting News for the Future of Dairy! 🥛🌱 As part of our Careers in Dairy strategic initiative, we are absolutely thrilled to announce our new two-year programme in partnership with our friends at Growing Future Farmers. Starting early next year, a pilot programme co-designed by the Co-op will launch in Waikato and Bay of Plenty, offering: ✅ Hands-on farm experience ✅ NZQA-recognised qualifications ✅ Mentorship from Fonterra farmers This is a big step towards building capability and ensuring a thriving dairy sector for years to come. It's about cultivating a passion for sustainability, learning, and community, and we couldn't be prouder 💚🌍🐮 #CareersInDairy #GrowingFutureFarmers #FutureOfFarming #DairyIndustry 🌟

In partnership with Growing Future Farmers (GFF), Fonterra says it is increasing support for young people entering the dairy industry with a new two-year programme. Co-designed by the co-operative, the programme will begin with a pilot in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, starting in early 2026. https://lnkd.in/gcd8fwtt

The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook. Cook spoke at the recent Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) spring focus day, where she outlined the Emissions and Profitability Project, a collaboration between Fonterra, DairyNZ's Dairybase and LIC. https://lnkd.in/gfEtJnCS

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱-𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗡𝗭 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 & 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘄 New Zealand dairy just had a record-breaking season: Fonterra’s $10 payout plus a $3.2 billion windfall from the Lactalis deal! Optimism is back on the farm – but will this be a springboard for smarter choices or a repeat of past mistakes? Dairy plays a BIG role in our national prosperity, supporting over 50,000 jobs and powering regional economies. Yet, the path to long-term growth isn’t just more milk – it’s about making smart investments that future-proof the business, economy, and environment. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙮? - Boosting farm efficiency with innovation and precision technology - Investing in value-added products to open new markets and higher returns - Enhancing environmental stewardship via cutting-edge R&D - Diversifying income streams and strengthening trade relationships to stay resilient Research and innovation are at the heart of this transformation. From methane-reducing genetics and feed additives, to robotics and AI-driven herd management, smart solutions are driving both profit and sustainability. By investing into bold research and innovative solutions, New Zealand dairy can strengthen its position as a global leader in high-value, low-emissions production. When our sector embraces R&D and invests in cutting-edge ideas, producers, communities, and the environment all benefit. New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited #ProtectNZ #NZDairy #AgInnovation #Sustainability #FutureFarming

Exclusive: Hoxton Farms has filed for Singapore regulatory approval for its cultivated pork fat. The British startup expects to receive the green light from the Singapore Food Agency between late 2026 and early 2027. This kickstarts its global regulatory plans, with additional filings to come in the UK, North America, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Hoxton Farms currently operates a 14,000 sq ft pilot facility in London, running 500-litre bioreactors. “Our next facility, in the 10kL range, will be built next year and commissioned in early 2027,” co-founder and CEO Max Jamilly tells Green Queen Media. To date, his firm has raised $35M, and it’s planning a new funding round in early 2026. Despite the troubling funding environment for cultivated meat, he remains optimistic. “We’ve built proprietary technology, a de-risked regulatory path and a clear route to profitability at scale,” he says. “With low-cost reactors, efficient processes and a strong AI-driven manufacturing platform, we’re confident in both our position and our ability to attract new investment.” More on Green Queen Media: https://lnkd.in/geQvYzap Sonalie Figueiras - The World's Green Queen

🟢 EACOP Is Creating a New Class of Millionaire Farmers But Only for Those Who Are Certified. When a $10 billion oil pipeline runs through Uganda’s farmlands, the real question isn’t who owns the land it’s who owns the opportunity. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is more than an engineering marvel stretching from Hoima to Tanga it’s a massive market engine that will consume thousands of tonnes of food, farm products, and essential supplies over the next decade. But here’s the catch: 👉 Only farmers and cooperatives that are certified, registered, and compliant will be allowed to supply. That’s why government and EACOP officials are urging farmers to form SACCOs, get certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), and register legally with the (Uganda Registration Services Bureau URSB). 💡 Why This Matters The EACOP project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Each construction camp alone can consume up to 3–5 tonnes of fresh produce daily vegetables, cereals, fruits, poultry, and meat. Multiply that across the entire route: Hoima, Kikuube, Mubende, Gomba, Sembabule, Lwengo, Kyotera, Rakai… That’s a multi-million-dollar agribusiness opportunity waiting for those who can meet supply standards. Certification isn’t bureaucracy it’s the new currency of trust. It signals: ✅ Food safety & quality assurance ✅ Consistent quantity and timely supply ✅ Professional business systems & traceability In the new economy, farmers who stay informal will be invisible. But those who organize, certify, and supply will build lasting wealth — quietly becoming the new millionaires of Uganda’s agricultural sector. ⚙️ How Farmers Can Position Themselves 1. Form or join a SACCO or farmer cooperative. Pool resources, aggregate produce, and gain bargaining power. 2. Get certified through UNBS or district production offices. Focus on food safety, handling, and traceability. 3. Register your enterprise with URSB and get a TIN. Oil and gas companies contract only registered suppliers. 4. Invest in quality, not just quantity. The EACOP supply chain demands consistency and reliability not just yield. 5. Document and market your compliance. Visibility attracts partnerships and contracts. 🔍 Strategic Insight Power in modern agriculture no longer lies in land ownership it lies in compliance, organization, and certification. Whoever controls certified supply will control market access. In Machiavellian terms, this is the art of positioning before the power shifts. 💭 Are you building your farm’s certification strategy, or are you watching others sign the contracts meant for you? What’s one thing stopping your farmer group from getting certified today? Let’s start that conversation below because opportunities like this don’t wait. 👇 #EACOP #UgandaAgriculture #CertifiedFarmers #Agribusiness #FarmerSACCO #UNBS #URSB #ValueChain #SustainableFarming #UgandaOilAndGas #AgribusinessOpportunities #EastAfricaFarming #Agrithinkers

Greetings, Here’s a list of Food and Agricultural Policies with what each policy states or emphasizes: 1. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) – European Union (EU) ➤ States that: The EU will support farmers, ensure a stable food supply, protect the environment, and promote sustainable rural development. 2. United States Farm Bill (US) ➤ States that: The U.S. government shall provide support for farmers through subsidies, crop insurance, conservation, and nutrition programs to strengthen the agricultural sector. 3. FAO Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition (2021) ➤ States that: Countries should integrate sustainability and nutrition into national food systems to ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all. 4. Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) – African Union ➤ States that: African countries should allocate at least 10% of their national budgets to agriculture to achieve 6% annual agricultural growth and reduce hunger. 5. Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) ➤ States that: By 2030, end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Kenyan Food and Agricultural Policies 1. Kenya Vision 2030 – Agricultural Sector Goals ➤ States that: Kenya’s agriculture will be transformed into a modern, commercially oriented, and globally competitive sector. 2. Kenya Food and Nutrition Security Policy (2017) ➤ States that: Every Kenyan has the right to adequate, safe, and nutritious food; the government shall promote food availability, access, and stability. 3. Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Act (2013) ➤ States that: All agricultural activities, including regulation, development, and marketing of crops, will be coordinated under one authority for efficiency. 4. Climate-Smart Agriculture Strategy (2017–2026) ➤ States that: Kenya will promote sustainable, low-emission, and resilient farming practices to adapt to climate change. 5. National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP) ➤ States that: Kenya will increase investment in key agricultural value chains to boost productivity, food security, and job creation. 6. National Livestock Policy (2021) ➤ States that: The livestock sector shall be modernized and commercialized through better breeding, marketing, and animal health services. 7. National Irrigation Policy (2018) ➤ States that: The government will expand and manage irrigation systems to enhance food production and reduce dependence on rain-fed farming. 8. Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) 2019–2029 ➤ States that: Kenya will prioritize smallholder farmer empowerment, value addition, and market access to achieve food security and economic growth. #FoodAndAgriculture #AgriculturePolicy #FoodSecurity #SustainableFarming #FoodSystems #FoodSafety #NutritionPolicy #ZeroHunger #AgriDevelopment #ClimateSmartAgriculture #FarmersSupport #AgriInvestment #FoodInnovation #SDG2 #FoodSustainability #GreenFarming #FoodPolicy #AgriEconomy