Professional Development

To The Core - Leadership and governance development programme

This introduction to Governance enables you to take your Director skills to the next level and gain valuable insights and training with "To the Core", supported by Farmlands, Silver Fern Farms, LIC. 

Applications are now open for 'To The Core' - an introduction to governance programme supported by Silver Fern Farms Co-operative, Farmlands and LIC. 

'To The Core' will help you support your rural community as you develop your leadership and governance skills, by providing access to relevant, influential speakers and directors who'll share their real-life experiences with the group.

This unique programme offers interested and aspiring shareholders of Silver Fern Farms Co-operative, Farmlands and LIC the chance to gain the skills and knowledge in demand by modern co-operative agribusiness boards.
 
Everyone taking part learns about governance in our co-operatives, and develops the skills needed to operate at board level, but they also acquire a holistic view of governance development as the skills learnt through the course can also be applied to any organisation, down to the level of volunteer sports clubs and charities.

Where: Novotel Airport, Burnside, Christchurch
When: Monday 16 June – Wednesday 18 June 2025

Applications close 16 March 2025. 

We have an outstanding line up of top speakers, as well as opportunities to discuss issues impacting boards.

Topics include:

• A perspective on agribusiness co-operative boards – strategy and structure
• How to navigate boards through risk and market disruption
• The future of farming and impacts for boards
• Lessons learnt from being a new board Director

✓ 100% of participants in 2024 agreed that the programme met or excelled against its objectives.

✓ 87% of participants said the programme had motivated them to progress their governance career.

The programme fee for 2025 is $995 plus GST, which includes all accommodation and meals throughout the course. Course fees can be paid using your Farmlands Card.

This fee is subsidised by Farmlands, Silver Fern Farms and LIC, together with the support of our speakers. All travel to and from Christchurch is at the participants' own cost.

This is an opportunity to meet a diverse group of emerging rural leaders from throughout New Zealand - the connections made during this course will last a lifetime.

Applications are open now and close on 16 March 2025. We are limited to 24 spaces

For further information please contact:

Clark Taylor
Shareholder Relations Manager
clark.taylor@silverfernfarms.co.nz
029 914 5060

Rave Reviews for To The Core 2024

Award-winning rural governance leadership programme  To The Core was held over 3 days in Christchurch in early-June, and feedback has again been first class.

Created in a partnership between Silver Fern Farms, Farmlands and LIC, To The Core is developing the next generation of governance talent for the three co-operatives, and the wider rural community.

This year To The Core attracted 94 applicants from across the Food and Fibre sectors, leaving organisers the difficult task of selecting the final 24. 

The speakers were a who’s who of the sector including Rob Hewett, Corrigan Sowman, Dawn Sangster, David Chin, Dan Boulton, Julia Jones, Tim Gibson, Trevor Burt, Richard Young, Cassandra Crowley, Lain Jager, Leanne Crozier and Amanda Malu. 

They spoke about their respective co-operatives, key areas of governance focus and their own governance journeys, together with macro and geo-political events and risks that impact farming here in New Zealand.

“I was absolutely delighted with the high level of engagement of this year’s cohort,” says Clark Taylor, who facilitated the programme. “The future pipeline of governors for our rural co-operatives really is in good hands if this year’s group is anything to go by.”

Participant Feedback

"Fantastic initiative between the co-ops to help secure a future pathway for directors. Clark awesome job on time management and keeping on track !!"

" This has been a brilliant few days.  A great group of people were selected to attend, very balanced group.  Fantastic experienced and open speakers who were very willing to share their knowledge and experiences. A great variety on sessions, was good to be challenged on our thought processes."

"I would like to thank everyone who had a hand in organising the course, all the speaker and facilitators were fantastic and it was truly inspiring"
"I believe running courses like this will only help the NZ Agri sector and make our governance strong across the industry. It's hard for younger people to get involved and this has been a great insight… I look forward to seeing where some of the course attendees end up in the future. Thank you for the opportunity"

Robbie Burnside Governance Scholarship

The Robbie Burnside Governance Scholarship is supported by Silver Fern Farms Co-operative. The scholarship will cover up to 50% of the cost of the approved programme, to a maximum of $10,000. The programmes provide the opportunity for Silver Fern Farms Co-operative shareholders to gain knowledge, skills and experience to contribute as governors of co-operative agribusinesses. There are four programmes supported through the Scholarship.

• Fonterra Governance Development Programme
• Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme
• Agri-Women’s Development Trust — Escalator Programme
• Mayfield/Co-operative Business NZ Governance Development Programme.

For an application please contact Clark Taylor at clark.taylor@silverfernfarms.co.nz or on 029 914 5060.