Wales YFC News

Wales YFC are proud to continue their relationship with New Zealand Dairy Scholarship for 2025. This opportunity enables members of Wales YFC to travel and work in New Zealand, through their continued learning programme.

Kathryn Haddow, from New Zealand Dairy career notes “NZDC is proud to offer young European dairy farmers aged 18 to 30 the opportunity to Live, Learn and Earn in New Zealand’s dairy industry that is globally renowned.

These working holidays promote an exchange of skills and insights that benefit participants and the dairy sectors of both nations. Participants gain hands-on experience while receiving training in our country’s world-renowned dairy processes, full pastoral care, and the opportunity to earn competitive wages. They’ll improve their practical skills, deepen their industry knowledge, and be well-prepared for promising careers in the global dairy industry.”

Wales YFC members have seen this firsthand. In 2022, Eleri George from Pembrokeshire YFC was offered a place on the Scholarship:

“In early December 2022 I boarded the plane for the flight to Christchurch.  Dairy Careers were amazing, helping at every step by selecting suitable farms for zoom interviews, meeting me at the airport and helping to sort visas and flights and giving me the opportunity to join the New Zealand dairy careers course.

I was fortunate to join the team at Van Black farming and lived in a 3 bedroom bungalow and milking over 600 Cows.  I worked a shift pattern and on the days off I was able to travel and explore the awesome New Zealand Countryside.  I joined the local YFC and made new friends, as well as seeing how they run as an organisation and the way they do some fundraising.

I am indebted to Wales YFC for the wonderful opportunities of travel that I have achieved and to the Scholarship for the chance to gain so much experience and expand my career and I am now working for a college farm in Ireland. Regarding any travel opportunities, don’t say no…accept any chance that is offered to you as you will learn, grow, make fantastic friends and look back on it all with the fondest of memories.”

In 2025, another Wales YFC member will fly to New Zealand to have the same opportunity. On Selection Day, it was announced that Rebecca John, from Pembrokeshire YFC, was awarded the scholarship. The judges were impressed with her passion for all things agriculture and her willingness to learn. We caught up with Rebecca after she received the news, “It’s an honour to have been awarded the dairy scholarship in New Zealand! I’m beyond excited to experience working within the New Zealand dairy industry and to explore the country. Massive thank you to Wales YFC and New Zealand Dairy Careers for this once in a lifetime opportunity!”

We look forward to following Rebecca’s journey and congratulate her on being awarded the Scholarship. We would also like to thank New Zealand Dairy Careers for working with us to be able to offer this opportunity to our members, which we hope to continue for years to come.