In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp chats with 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year, Hugh Jackson about the preparation, support and motivation behind his winning campaign - and what’s next for the fourth-generation farmer at home on the farm at Te Akau.
Guest:
- Hugh Jackson, 2025 FMG New Zealand Young Farmer of the Year
Host:
- Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Country-Wide
For Hugh Jackson, winning the 2024 FMG Young Farmer of the Year wasn’t just about one big weekend - it was the result of years of effort, a strong support network, and a deep commitment to personal and professional growth. Since first competing as a student at Massey University, Hugh has steadily climbed through the ranks, and after placing in the Grand Final in 2023, he came back more determined than ever.
With help from friends, family, mentors, and former finalists, he put in hundreds of hours preparing for the technical, practical and theoretical challenges of the competition. His background in dairy, sheep and beef farming, as well as time spent organising the Grand Final in 2023, gave him a unique edge. But it’s his passion for lifelong learning, his grounding in community, and a clear focus on the future of the family farm near Te Akau that really stand out.
From trialling new pasture systems to exploring virtual fencing, Hugh is already thinking ahead balancing innovation with tradition as he looks to make the most of the coastal hill country his great-grandfather started farming in 1947. For him, the title is more than a trophy, it's a chance to help inspire the next generation of food and fibre producers.
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