October 26, 2021 • 30 mins
Today we’re privileged to be chatting with Jen Corkran, Agronomist and Area Manager for Barenbrug Agriseeds.
She’s based in the Waikato, after making the move up from Christchurch several years ago.
Jen’s experience in the agri sector is wide-ranging, from on farm management, to overseas farming roles, and as a self-described grass nerd, now spends her days helping farmers grow the best grass they can.
Today, Jen shares her tips for younger women coming into the agronomy space, and the importance of personal growth.
Just a disclaimer, some parts of this episode have some background noise! Bare with us- it's worth it!
If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to visit our Instagram, Facebook, and website, or even become a member!
www.ruralwomennz.nz
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Welcome to the Black Keels and Tractor Wheels podcast, where
we are sharing stories from a range of women from
around New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
For nearly a century, Rural Women New Zealand has been
dedicated to strengthening and supporting women and children to become
empowered members of their communities.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
We hope that by hearing these stories from inspiring women
all around the country, you'll feel inspired yourself.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
We're your hosts, Emma Higgins and Claire Williamson, and we'd
love for you to join and subscribe to our podcast
so you don't miss our rural stories.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Today on the podcast, we are privileged to be chatting
with Jen corcoran agronomist and area manager for Baron Bragg
agre Seeds.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Jean's based in the Whitecutor after making the move up
from christ Church several years ago.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Jane's experience in the agri sector is pretty wide, ranging
from on farm management to overseas farming roles and as
a self described grass nerd, now spend two days helping
farmers grow the absolute best grass that they can Today.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Jin cheares her tips for younger women coming into the
agronomy space and the massive importance we need to place
on personal growth.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Welcome Jim, Hi, thanks having me, thanks.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
For joining us.
Speaker 5 (01:20):
So Gin and I first met funnily enough, I'm a
wogage broker and I helped her into her first home.
And when we first met, she said that she was
really passionate about grass, and I said, I was really
passionate about wool. And since then we've put it off
and been friends. So today we'll get a very good
chat around around Jem's journey. So first said jin Real,
(01:43):
keen to hear just a wee bit about your childhood.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
I understand that you grew up over in the beautiful Talks.
Speaker 5 (01:50):
Bay, and yeah, just a few stories about growing up
with your sisters and parents and what that.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Was like you. Yeah, so my parents weren't farmers, but
I did grow up very rurally in Central Hawk's Bay,
nearby Pokro. But mum was a teacher at a rural
primary school, so she taught out at Flemington's School and
all three myself, I'm the oldest, and my two younger sisters,
we went out to that school. So dad was a
social worker, so he also wasn't an industry but we
(02:19):
did have a thirty acre sort of lifestyle blot which
we grew up on. I think I was four when
Mum and Dad built the house there, so the whole,
my whole upbringing was there with just a few sheep
and kettle, and I really really had this passion from
a very young age for farming and agriculture. But I
think it really did probably. I mean it was innate
in a way. Mum said when I was two years old,
(02:40):
I just wanted to be outside and playing in the garden.
But also I think it was really fostered by going
to that rural primary school with all other farmer's kids
and spending weekends out on farm with them, thinking, then,
this life's pretty cool. I'd love to maybe one day
do something within this industry. So yeah, so that was
kind of the school upbringing part. Lots of week in
(03:00):
out on friends farms, like my very close friends, you know,
their family farms are all you know, still out there.
So it's really got and Mama daed to have just
retired and they're back on the weed lifestyle block that
we grew up on, so it's lovely going home. But yeah,
I definitely think that's probably where it all started for me,
and and luckily enough. You know, Mum and Dad worked
so hard, like we didn't have heaps growing up, Like
(03:22):
they were very hard working, and it really fostered that like,
if you work hard, you can probably do whatever you want.
Kind of value I suppose within me. And so all three,
myself and my two younger sisters have done completely different things,
like I'm the random farmer of the family. But in
saying that, you know, like we've all followed our passions
and it just shows you know, you can do whatever
you want if you put your mind to it.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
I guess I understand that you kind of got into
into university and then hit some experiences with your undergraduate
degree through into a farming role, and then did some postgraduates.
So tell us a little bit about what an agronomist
does and about your study and then about your pathway
through farming into hisht grad and agro agronomist.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Well, usually when I meet people that aren't in the
agriculture industry, they'll just be like, well, don't just make
up a word that what you do for a job.
And usually often people think you say economist. It's like, no, no, agronomous,
but agronomy is the study of plants essentially, So I
did an agriculture degree originally based off the fact that
I knew I was real passionate about the farming industry.
(04:27):
I don't really know what part of it. It was
probably kind of sheep and beef because that was the
area that I grew up around. And also once I started,
I realized I really liked that plant science kind of thing.
So agronomy is the study of plants. And the company
I work for an A Barren Brag who were egg
receeds same same breed grass essentially. So I've ended up
working kind of exactly where I wanted to get to,
(04:48):
but there was a path to get there, like it
wasn't It wasn't just a straight into that because that's
what I want to do kind of thing. So I
did my undergrade degree a MESU University in Pamesa North
that was amazing, met some great people who were friends.
Now it gives you a huge network too, and then
I just my partner at the time and I actually
went farming down in the South Island for two years.
(05:10):
I was done the two years, which was awesome. So
I didn't have the same level of practical experience as
some of my friends that I'd met at university, just
because I hadn't like done you know, I hadn't grown
up on a farm, though I did have reasonable you know,
stock sense and farming capability from jobs over school years
and stuff like that. Having that two years, like in
two years is just a drop in time really in
(05:32):
terms of farming in seasons and stuff. That was amazing
because it really cemented what I knew that I wanted
to do, which was the past just sort of side
of things. So on the farm, I just worked with
the farm owner, Brian. It was near Mayfield. Great times.
We actually arrived down there and then about two months
later they had the biggest snow storm was about two
thousand and so I think it was the biggest snowstorm
(05:55):
there had ever been about two meters of snow outside
no power US six weeks or something on the road on.
So it's crazy but awesome. Because i'd grubbed hooks baler,
I wouldn'tven know what snow was really Anyway, long story short,
two years down there, We've go on a beef farm.
We had about three hundred years that grazed the lane ways,
but mainly beef deer grazers and also finishing steers and heifers.
(06:19):
And I was worked just with the farm owner and
was responsible for all the past you management and stock
management and feed budgeting and all that sort of things.
And I just love the grass side of things. I
was like the fact that you kind of set up
the next grazing when you take the animals out of
the peddock like that your one chance sort of resonated
so much with me. Yeah, I just really liked grass
and grown grass and all the things you could do
(06:40):
around it. So it was weird, but I just got
this like extra I mean, I was already pretty excitable,
but I got this like extra passion for grass. And
I decided at that point. You know, actually Brian, where
I worked, they decided they were going to convict to Darius.
It was right in that big boom, big flat farm irrigated.
They were going to put a pivot up. So I
helped with about three months of converting the farm and
(07:03):
obviously the beef animals were still there at that point.
Decided at that point, actually I'm going to go back
and do a bit more study around grass. So that's
what I did, and that practical experience was invaluable in
terms of understanding more about how things worked, you know,
so that was great. So yeah, then I went back
to UNI Messy back up to Parmy and did a
post grad year in eighteen months end basically in plant
(07:26):
science and sheep and beef systems.
Speaker 5 (07:28):
So yeah, amazing. Yeah, and was and was that when
you after that? Was there when you came into the
role with Barrenbroke? I?
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Actually, yeah, So I did that that research in post
grade paper year and a half and then I actually
went over to the UK at that point for really
three years. Yeah, so I lived. I lived in London
for a while and I actually worked as a PA
in an office for a year, nothing to do with farming,
because I was like, well I'm going to go back
(07:58):
and get mess lely into this industry. I'm just going
to be county and have some fun. And that lasted
a year, that's right, and it was super nice. I
mean London was a struggle at the start, but he
really got into it. But actually after twelve months, I
and also like traveling into Europe and the weekends. Very
lucky to have done it, you know, when he wasn't
(08:18):
a pendingmic hitening so I then centially was like, I
really want to go and see what it's like farming
in the UK. So I did spend nine months out
on farms as well, very different over there, so that
was cool to get that experience too. Yeah, so I
did a little bit of both when I came back
from the UK. I was very lucky to learn on
(08:38):
my feet with a role with and Brag.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
So yeah, yeah, I'm really interested.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
I'm really interested now to hear a little bit about
your journey without Brag in terms of I understand you've
been with him now forteen.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Years coming out ten years.
Speaker 5 (08:54):
Yeah, And I suppose, like many things in the rural
industry and then in the in the wrap around services
around farming, traditionally things like stock agents, futilized reps, et cetera,
there is a bit of a male dominated sort of
environment there when you came into Barrenberg and your journey
from sort of that starting point until now, how do you.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Feel that things have changed?
Speaker 5 (09:18):
And if you if you're giving advice to someone who
might be coming into the industry as in your grad
or is someone who's really interested in the same things
you are, what kind of advice would you give them.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Yeah, that's a that's a good question, because when I
knew I could, I was well qualified at that point
and had been overseas and done a few things and
been farming, and I was like, right, I know, I'm
well qualified to get a role in agronomy with a
seed company. And this says, yeah, this is ten years ago.
So I do think times have changed just a tiny bit.
And I don't know that's a drop in the ocean
(09:51):
for probably a lot of people that will be listening
to this podcast, but for the younger ones, it's probably
quite a long time. You know, like ten years is
a very long time when you when you're twenty years old.
So I I was twenty five somewhere around that late
twenties area when I came back from London and I
was looking on websites at the different seed companies. I
already had resonated with eggre Seeds as they were at
the time named from a cultural perspective, because I could
(10:12):
already see that that looks like a company that had
the culture that I'd be interested in working. But I
was so nerverspot applying because I thought, well, mcgirl, you know,
if if there's a boy with similar qualifications, they'll probably
employ ham, which was just a story that I was
telling myself, but it made me fearful, but you know,
like just go for it, and that's what I did. Nowadays,
I don't think it, honestly as even something that would
(10:34):
be considered in people looking at CVS for us, in
any of the other proprietary seed companies and New zeal
even farming jobs, so like it's definitely not as much
of a thing in my opinion, Yeah, I would say anyway,
but definitely, you know, like I could have just there
was a point where I was like, well maybe I
won't maybe I'll go farming again, or maybe I'll just
wait a bit and see if anyone approaches me, but
(10:54):
not just get in there and go for it, Like yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
Being the master of your own destiny, way, isn't it. Really?
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (11:02):
And I think one of the things that's come through
a lot and a lot of the conversations we've had
with women is to pick up on people who can
support you, be a mentor be a champion for you
heating forward. And I know that I know in previous
conversations I've had with you that that's been a real
factor for you and in quite a few different places,
(11:23):
so be amazing to hear a little bit about what
that looks like for you. And those people might be
especially thinking from a perspective of someone coming into not
just your industry, but anyhow any part of the real industry.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
And I think it's so important to find people perhaps
like I think a mentor would be described as someone
who's maybe traveled a similar path to you, or can
relate in terms of some of the things that you've
done together that they've done. Sorry, So finding someone who's
taken a path or even just part of a path
that you want to take, I think is a real key.
(11:58):
So I was lucky enough to bump into, I think
a girl who was working in agronomy when I was
doing my postgradera and I spent a couple of days
out on farm with her and was like, yeah, I
think this is something that I will do when I
get back to New Zealand. So that was quite a
good thing to do, because you might think that you
want to do a certain role, but actually go out
and spend a day with one of these people, like
(12:20):
someone like myself, for example. Just look people's names up
on the website, email them like the worst thing they
can do is not reply, but they will most of
the time. So find those people, get yourself out and
get those experiences to see if it is something that
you want to do, like do your research. But for me,
like there was definitely keep people along the way. Like
when I started in this role, a very senior sort
(12:40):
of person in the company who had been with the
company for number as an is still a mentor to
me now said to me, oh, Janet's great, You've got
stob I think you're going to be wonderful, but you
won't be an agronomist for about five years. And I
was like, well, I'm almost now, Like that's in my head.
He was so right, Like I really you know, it
took me five or six years to start to be like, oh,
(13:03):
I think I kind of understand, you know, like I
think I'm adding value to this company and bringing back
and I'm not saying diminishing any of the previous five years.
Like there was so much learning and so much stuff
that we did, and so much we gave back in
different ways. But it's a long game, and it can
be a long game with mini career paths, not just
what I've done and just recognizing that and taking every
day to learn off the people around you, find the
(13:24):
people that inspire you and get close to them. So
when I moved up to the y KAO SO, I
was based down I've been with County ten years. It
was based down at the head office in christ Church
with a big research farm near Dartfield. I was based
down there for three years and then I've been up
here for When I first came up, I was working
with a guy called will Henson and really inspiring guy
pretty much the same age as me, so there wasn't
(13:46):
really an age gap. He'd been in the company a
bit longer. Obviously. The scales he had for like talking
to people and communication and storytelling around grass and how
it grows and topics was so inspirational to me, and
he didn't realize it probably at the time, but he
was definitely someone that I'd made a lot and was
kind of a mentor. Like I'd be like, oh, you
know when you just described that thing before that person
(14:08):
and they really got it, He's like, yeah, You've got
to tell a story, you know. I was like, well,
I can do this, like you know, so why do
those people that inspire you and also maybe that are
doing a similar thing can be good. I think. So
there's been a few like and my my postgrade supervisors
at UNI were also champions of their field, King Penagronomy,
De Morris and Beef Systems and Paul Kenyon and Sheep
(14:32):
like Veil great because they were living a passion and
it made me know, like, I want to love my
passion too. I want to be like you guys going
to burn.
Speaker 5 (14:37):
So yeah, it just you can never underestimate the value
of having those special inspiring people around you just to
kind of help lift you up and also give your
advice about how to do things you might already be
doing well, even bitter.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
And they're really really awesome version of yourself.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
And yeah, I have seen that and you even in
the time that I've known you, which is incredible. And
I really appreciate it when you when you dumb it
down for me because I don't really know a lot
of grass.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
There's no such thing as going down. It's just telling
a story in a way that people can understand, right,
But yeah, it's so true. The other thing I would say, though,
is to look for people. Maybe for me that's been
useful as finding people outside of your probably your patient
area what you're doing for work, that can ask you
questions and probe you in a right way. And you
know that's then we'll look at things through a different
(15:30):
lens and ask you all do that that way or
do is there what you want to keep doing or
what else are you interested in? Like, I think it's
good to have a wide circle, but in terms of
career and what you want to do, I'd say, find
those people that you really think are awesome and kind
of copy them for a while.
Speaker 5 (15:47):
Jim, you and I talk quite often about looking after
yourself as a person before you can come to work
and be really effective.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
And also in any.
Speaker 5 (15:58):
Giving back, any volunteering, any industry stuff that you do,
because I know that you're really passionate about your overall industry.
Tell us a little bit about some of the things
you do day to day, week to week and actually
even season to season that help make doing the best
version of yourself.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Oh, that's that is so important, And I think we
don't talk about this stuff enough. Like we were always
busy wearing our different masks day to day of whatever
we're doing at the time. But like it's so important
to look after number one. And when you are busy,
or you've got a career, or you're a mom, and
you've just got all these things going on, like it
can be really hard to actually remember who you are
(16:37):
underneath it all, but scheduling that time to really remember.
So for me, it's work that will distract me a
little bit from looking after myself at times. And I
travel a bit for work, so you really every week
is different, and so I cheesily call it gen time,
and I will schedule in my gen time, usually on
a Friday, or sometimes on a Saturday if it's for
(17:00):
the following week. So normally the week before you know
what your week's going to look like the next week,
so actually looking within it. So obviously for me works
number one Monday to Friday, but I know what that
looks like, and I know where the gaps and where
I can fit stuff in, so I know what fills
out my cup. So I think it's important to know
for you what's important to you to get your to
(17:21):
fill yourself back up, I guess, and rather than just
continuing to take from the cup. So for me, it's
sounds counterintuitive, but it's exercise in sort of well being stuff,
so running, gym, spin class, stuff like they're going for
even just a walk with a friend. It can be
so so good for you sometimes cooking or baking but
(17:42):
or reading a book, things like that. But just make
sure it's scheduled, because if you don't. I find if
I don't schedule a run or a gym class or
a pin class or something into my week, or a
walk with a friend five point thirty one evening or
a first thing in the morning, it won't happen. So
scheduling like you would normal meeting if that would work
for you, not ever and likes to do it that way.
Or if you find yourself with an hour at lunchtime
(18:03):
and it's sunny, like get out there and go for
a walk, because you can't keep giving up. I'm a
very passionate person too, and very hypol so I'll give
my energy away all day long. But unless I schedule
that time to like come back to myself, and most
of the sos I do would be on my own.
I do do running club as well in a group,
(18:24):
but yeah, would be the way that I fill my
cup up, and I just think it's super important.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
I love the practical element of scheduling it. I've been
working on this as well as you know, and I
really think if you put it down there as a meeting,
and even more so if you can create some accountability
around it, whether a friend or even I've got a trainer,
then you're more likely to not want to let that
person down as well.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
So I think that's that's a massive awesome Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, So meeting someone is really good because
there'll be times when you can't, like you have to
switch the schedule, but if you make it like a
work meeting, get out of it. But also i'd say
have strict boundaries, like if you do running club at
five point thirty on a Thursday. Okay, occasionally they might
be a work meeting and you're in a different town
(19:13):
or you're away, or something happens with your family or
something needs to be done. But if you can schedule,
if you can say you know, this is blocked out
for that and the meeting's running, like so I'm off,
I've got to go to running club and you're you know,
honestly like.
Speaker 5 (19:29):
Right, you've got time out of work, and they'll just.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
Say, hey, no, yeah, we really support that you're going
to do that. It's great.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
Yeah, I think it's important and workers and you know,
what you're doing day to day is important. But looking
after yourself as number one, that's the only person you've
really got at the end of the day.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Exactly. Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 5 (19:48):
So Jin, you have had some very cool points in
your life. You've moved successfully through a big, well renound company.
I'm really interested to hear what your proudest moments have
been so far in terms of not just your career
but personally, things that you've done that you've just thought
(20:10):
then yeah, I've totally smashed it. And it's amazing to
hear from people what their proudest moments are actual They've
always different quite a lot.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
Yeah, if I go back before this job, I was
definitely really proud to have done that year back at
UNI doing my postgrad in grass because it was me
living really close to my true values. Like I knew
what I wanted to do, I knew that I was
passionate about it, and I just made that year happen
for me. So that was a really proud thing to
go I guess to come through like it wasn't even
(20:40):
just it wasn't an individual moment where I was like, oh, yeah,
I did that. It was like probably a few years
later where I was like, and it was cool how
I did that thing that time. And again, like I'm
not saying people need to have gone to university or
anything like that, but for me, like, that was a
cool thing that I did for me, And even if
it's like a course that you've been scared of doing
or a club that you wanted to join, just do something.
(21:02):
You know. Having done that and knowing that I was
living so close to what I in my culture and
my values was really really good. So that was a
really proud thing to look back on, I guess and
be like at the time, I didn't really realize or notice,
but yeah, it was awesome proud. The proudest things at
work probably getting about sex or seven years into the
role into the company and standing up and talking to
(21:25):
a quite a big group one time near TAPO just
about pastor management, and I just felt like I was
in flow and everyone was engaged, and it was this
weird moment in time where I was looking at and
I was like, all the things I've done up to
now really helped me get to this point. I mean,
I do that kind of stuff every week of the year,
but on this one particular occasion, I just remember everyone
was engaged. I said some jokes that someone laughed at,
(21:47):
but that wasn't the problem, but I like, no, but
more like I just saw people's eyes being like, oh wow,
I get that, Like I understand what she's talking about.
I was like, yeah, I'm really proud of where I've
come from. But also like all of the individual moments
that are often really hard with work, like all of
those things that didn't go very well but that you
learn so much from, they can all come together at
(22:09):
some point and you just and like I just met
one day. It was so weird, but I was like
all of those hard times that I've had and like
looking at others and being like, I'll never be like them.
Like I was like, I don't think I was like them,
but in my own way, I was like doing a
good job and I was proud. So that was just
a funny, just a normal Tuesday or something.
Speaker 6 (22:29):
Yeah, And I think one of the things and you
picked up on it earlier when you talked about learning
to tell stories, about brass and about connecting with people
and I feel like that knowledge probably came together and
you connected with the audience.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
And I think that's a massive, massive thing for people
who are in sales roles or in roles where.
Speaker 5 (22:51):
That going out educating like like you have for a
lot of your career, connecting with the audience is the
most important thing that you can do.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
And I know that connection is really important to be
with a person as well.
Speaker 5 (23:04):
One thing I did want to just pack up a
little bit on Jim is just that comment around living
your values and being in sync with yourself and genuinely
what you want out of life. And I know that
you have done quite a lot of work around this
and wondering if there was anything you could share with
us around that sort of values driven approach that even
(23:26):
around finding what is most important to you and some
of even the strategies if you've got any, or just
about your journey and finding some of those those things
would be really wonderful to you.
Speaker 3 (23:38):
About or trying to live a life that aligns with
your values is super important. And I've actually just been
through recently been through one of the Everyone Development Trust
courses and they made us really dive deep into what
our values are, which is important because I think you
can have a lot of values, right, like try and
forge out what the key ones are. And for me,
like connection with people is huge. So lucky enough, like
(24:00):
as you just describe, like I get to work in
a role where I'm educating and talking to people and
storytelling and getting them to understand grasp and clover and
things like that on the daily, which is wonderful. But
we actually, you know, we don't have offices up here.
We work at a home. We're on the road a
lot head offices in christ Church, so I'm down there
every other month to catch up and their meetings and stuff.
(24:22):
But recognize, you know, there was a few years there
where I really struggled up here because I was connecting
enough one on one with people. I was connecting one
to many in these fleeting two hour engagements on farm
or whatever, or with a farmer for an hour on
their farm, walking the pedic, but like, the intense connection
was something that was really important to me. And just
recognizing that and trying to find it outside of work
(24:43):
as well as within work has been really important. So
I'd encourage people to recognize what their values are, because
if you're not feeling aligned, or if you're feeling a
bit off or not happy, it could be that you're
just missing something like that and you can find it again.
But it almost takes pen to paper, like write down
what's important to you, like, what builds you up, what
makes you happy, those sort of things that sort of
self care and I really love self development, understanding yourself
(25:08):
sort of what drives you, what makes you happy, what's
your passion if that's we feel like you want to
go but you know, no days a work day, if
you passionate about what you're doing right, like life talking.
Speaker 5 (25:20):
About it's it's like that age old work life balance
chat where people say, oh, you know, have you got
this balance between.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
What you do be a job and what you have
in your life?
Speaker 5 (25:33):
And my opinion genuinely is that it's all right and
you have to live in alignment with your values for
as much of it as you possibly can. So, yeah,
if you love what you do every day, want work
a day in your life, and that's not realistic every
day and every one.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
No, not every moment either, for sure.
Speaker 5 (25:50):
Yeah, yeah, but I think it's something that you need
to think about when you are looking at why you
do what you do and that question why is massive
setting your direction?
Speaker 4 (26:01):
So thank you for sharing the values information edging. That's awesome.
Speaker 5 (26:06):
I think one thing I would sort of just like
to leave the listeners with is sort of maybe a
little bit of a goal projection for you in what
you're maybe like wanting to achieve over the next twelve months.
Speaker 4 (26:20):
And your own life and your work, even if it's
something that's not particular to your career.
Speaker 5 (26:27):
We just love sharing people's goals, and I also think
it's nice for you to be able to look back
as well and say, on the twelfth of August, this
is what I said.
Speaker 3 (26:36):
Because goals to change, right like, depending on where you're
at with your life and what you're wanting to do
in the moment and things you know outside of your
control that are happening. It can change what your goals
are dead day. But yeah, So having just done this
amazing course with the AWDT, like it was actually good
because they asked me, you know, they made us actually
write down, you know, the next twelve months for us,
(26:57):
what does it look like? And for me it's a
bit of a combo of work and personal stuff at
the moment. I think this connection thing that I've already
spoken on like is quite big for me, and I'm
realizing how important it really is. So just making sure
I'm doing those things outside of work to get that connection.
I live like by myself, and I often work by myself,
(27:18):
so I know probably there's lots of mums that might
be listening to this that are probably like, oh, what
I wouldn't give, you know, a little bit less connection
with my kids or whatever. It is a fairly busy,
and I give that too. But for me, where I'm
at right now is like, yeah, I think just making sure.
So there's this I do running clubs, so I'm just
going to make sure I keep going to that and
see the bigger picture of having these connections with all
(27:39):
sorts of random people that do completely different jobs and stuff.
I see a life coach, which is good because she
probes me on this stuff too and asks me questions.
So that's that's really great. And in terms of work,
like I've realized, you know how I mentioned earlier, a
colleague said to me, you know, you won't be an
agronomist for five years gin and I rolled my eyes,
(27:59):
and then seven years later realized he was did right.
And the good thing about a role, you know in
New Zealand farming industries is that you're learning every day.
There's more in different things that you can learn or
parts that you can go down, whether it's soils or
environment or legumes or whatever it is. But trying to
understand for me, what's the next thing for me in
terms of my passion point, because grass and clover and
(28:21):
homegrown feed is what I'm really into. But where else
can this take me or what could this look like
within my current role as well? You know, New Zealand's
got this huge advantage in terms of producing protein from
homegrown feed, so from grass and clover and crops, and
many other countries can't do that, and so I'm really
(28:43):
passionate about homegrown feed and protein produced from grass and
clover in our systems. So what can that look like
for me in terms of my current role or maybe
even into the future, you know what I want to do?
So yeah, grass feed meat is cool. I mean I
like it in me as well, So that's good.
Speaker 5 (29:02):
It's actually a beautiful dream and it's something that our
country does improveably well. And I think it's exciting to
hear how much more we could do in that space,
and especially with.
Speaker 7 (29:13):
People like you who are incredible at knowing how to
grow feet and efficiently in an environment environmentally sustainable way.
So yeah, it's amazing and I actually really look forwarding
to see what comes with that dream and what comes
with that passion of yours, because yeah, I think it's
really really special. So Jim, I would just like to
(29:35):
say thank you so much for sharing your experiences with
us today, your life and what you're passionately about your June,
and actually honor you for standing up and being a
really awesome inspiring figure for our younger woman and real woman.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
And obviously we're really excited about bringing.
Speaker 7 (29:54):
Through the new generation of rural women, so it's amazing
to have people like you despite your experiences.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Rural Women New Zealand is a community of like minded
women who are doing amazing things in their respective regions
and communities.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
This podcast celebrates the achievements, successes and stories of our
rural women, which are also the foundations for our organization's
rich history.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
We want you to be part of our future story,
so please join us by clicking on the link in
the show notes, and we look forward to welcoming you
into the fold,
Welcome to the Black Keels and Tractor Wheels podcast, where
we are sharing stories from a range of women from
around New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
For nearly a century, Rural Women New Zealand has been
dedicated to strengthening and supporting women and children to become
empowered members of their communities.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
We hope that by hearing these stories from inspiring women
all around the country, you'll feel inspired yourself.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
We're your hosts, Emma Higgins and Claire Williamson, and we'd
love for you to join and subscribe to our podcast
so you don't miss our rural stories.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Today on the podcast, we are privileged to be chatting
with Jen corcoran agronomist and area manager for Baron Bragg
agre Seeds.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Jean's based in the Whitecutor after making the move up
from christ Church several years ago.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Jane's experience in the agri sector is pretty wide, ranging
from on farm management to overseas farming roles and as
a self described grass nerd, now spend two days helping
farmers grow the absolute best grass that they can Today.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Jin cheares her tips for younger women coming into the
agronomy space and the massive importance we need to place
on personal growth.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Welcome Jim, Hi, thanks having me, thanks.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
For joining us.
Speaker 5 (01:20):
So Gin and I first met funnily enough, I'm a
wogage broker and I helped her into her first home.
And when we first met, she said that she was
really passionate about grass, and I said, I was really
passionate about wool. And since then we've put it off
and been friends. So today we'll get a very good
chat around around Jem's journey. So first said jin Real,
(01:43):
keen to hear just a wee bit about your childhood.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
I understand that you grew up over in the beautiful Talks.
Speaker 5 (01:50):
Bay, and yeah, just a few stories about growing up
with your sisters and parents and what that.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Was like you. Yeah, so my parents weren't farmers, but
I did grow up very rurally in Central Hawk's Bay,
nearby Pokro. But mum was a teacher at a rural
primary school, so she taught out at Flemington's School and
all three myself, I'm the oldest, and my two younger sisters,
we went out to that school. So dad was a
social worker, so he also wasn't an industry but we
(02:19):
did have a thirty acre sort of lifestyle blot which
we grew up on. I think I was four when
Mum and Dad built the house there, so the whole,
my whole upbringing was there with just a few sheep
and kettle, and I really really had this passion from
a very young age for farming and agriculture. But I
think it really did probably. I mean it was innate
in a way. Mum said when I was two years old,
(02:40):
I just wanted to be outside and playing in the garden.
But also I think it was really fostered by going
to that rural primary school with all other farmer's kids
and spending weekends out on farm with them, thinking, then,
this life's pretty cool. I'd love to maybe one day
do something within this industry. So yeah, so that was
kind of the school upbringing part. Lots of week in
(03:00):
out on friends farms, like my very close friends, you know,
their family farms are all you know, still out there.
So it's really got and Mama daed to have just
retired and they're back on the weed lifestyle block that
we grew up on, so it's lovely going home. But yeah,
I definitely think that's probably where it all started for me,
and and luckily enough. You know, Mum and Dad worked
so hard, like we didn't have heaps growing up, Like
(03:22):
they were very hard working, and it really fostered that like,
if you work hard, you can probably do whatever you want.
Kind of value I suppose within me. And so all three,
myself and my two younger sisters have done completely different things,
like I'm the random farmer of the family. But in
saying that, you know, like we've all followed our passions
and it just shows you know, you can do whatever
you want if you put your mind to it.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
I guess I understand that you kind of got into
into university and then hit some experiences with your undergraduate
degree through into a farming role, and then did some postgraduates.
So tell us a little bit about what an agronomist
does and about your study and then about your pathway
through farming into hisht grad and agro agronomist.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Well, usually when I meet people that aren't in the
agriculture industry, they'll just be like, well, don't just make
up a word that what you do for a job.
And usually often people think you say economist. It's like, no, no, agronomous,
but agronomy is the study of plants essentially, So I
did an agriculture degree originally based off the fact that
I knew I was real passionate about the farming industry.
(04:27):
I don't really know what part of it. It was
probably kind of sheep and beef because that was the
area that I grew up around. And also once I started,
I realized I really liked that plant science kind of thing.
So agronomy is the study of plants. And the company
I work for an A Barren Brag who were egg
receeds same same breed grass essentially. So I've ended up
working kind of exactly where I wanted to get to,
(04:48):
but there was a path to get there, like it
wasn't It wasn't just a straight into that because that's
what I want to do kind of thing. So I
did my undergrade degree a MESU University in Pamesa North
that was amazing, met some great people who were friends.
Now it gives you a huge network too, and then
I just my partner at the time and I actually
went farming down in the South Island for two years.
(05:10):
I was done the two years, which was awesome. So
I didn't have the same level of practical experience as
some of my friends that I'd met at university, just
because I hadn't like done you know, I hadn't grown
up on a farm, though I did have reasonable you know,
stock sense and farming capability from jobs over school years
and stuff like that. Having that two years, like in
two years is just a drop in time really in
(05:32):
terms of farming in seasons and stuff. That was amazing
because it really cemented what I knew that I wanted
to do, which was the past just sort of side
of things. So on the farm, I just worked with
the farm owner, Brian. It was near Mayfield. Great times.
We actually arrived down there and then about two months
later they had the biggest snow storm was about two
thousand and so I think it was the biggest snowstorm
(05:55):
there had ever been about two meters of snow outside
no power US six weeks or something on the road on.
So it's crazy but awesome. Because i'd grubbed hooks baler,
I wouldn'tven know what snow was really Anyway, long story short,
two years down there, We've go on a beef farm.
We had about three hundred years that grazed the lane ways,
but mainly beef deer grazers and also finishing steers and heifers.
(06:19):
And I was worked just with the farm owner and
was responsible for all the past you management and stock
management and feed budgeting and all that sort of things.
And I just love the grass side of things. I
was like the fact that you kind of set up
the next grazing when you take the animals out of
the peddock like that your one chance sort of resonated
so much with me. Yeah, I just really liked grass
and grown grass and all the things you could do
(06:40):
around it. So it was weird, but I just got
this like extra I mean, I was already pretty excitable,
but I got this like extra passion for grass. And
I decided at that point. You know, actually Brian, where
I worked, they decided they were going to convict to Darius.
It was right in that big boom, big flat farm irrigated.
They were going to put a pivot up. So I
helped with about three months of converting the farm and
(07:03):
obviously the beef animals were still there at that point.
Decided at that point, actually I'm going to go back
and do a bit more study around grass. So that's
what I did, and that practical experience was invaluable in
terms of understanding more about how things worked, you know,
so that was great. So yeah, then I went back
to UNI Messy back up to Parmy and did a
post grad year in eighteen months end basically in plant
(07:26):
science and sheep and beef systems.
Speaker 5 (07:28):
So yeah, amazing. Yeah, and was and was that when
you after that? Was there when you came into the
role with Barrenbroke? I?
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Actually, yeah, So I did that that research in post
grade paper year and a half and then I actually
went over to the UK at that point for really
three years. Yeah, so I lived. I lived in London
for a while and I actually worked as a PA
in an office for a year, nothing to do with farming,
because I was like, well I'm going to go back
(07:58):
and get mess lely into this industry. I'm just going
to be county and have some fun. And that lasted
a year, that's right, and it was super nice. I
mean London was a struggle at the start, but he
really got into it. But actually after twelve months, I
and also like traveling into Europe and the weekends. Very
lucky to have done it, you know, when he wasn't
(08:18):
a pendingmic hitening so I then centially was like, I
really want to go and see what it's like farming
in the UK. So I did spend nine months out
on farms as well, very different over there, so that
was cool to get that experience too. Yeah, so I
did a little bit of both when I came back
from the UK. I was very lucky to learn on
(08:38):
my feet with a role with and Brag.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
So yeah, yeah, I'm really interested.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
I'm really interested now to hear a little bit about
your journey without Brag in terms of I understand you've
been with him now forteen.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Years coming out ten years.
Speaker 5 (08:54):
Yeah, And I suppose, like many things in the rural
industry and then in the in the wrap around services
around farming, traditionally things like stock agents, futilized reps, et cetera,
there is a bit of a male dominated sort of
environment there when you came into Barrenberg and your journey
from sort of that starting point until now, how do you.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Feel that things have changed?
Speaker 5 (09:18):
And if you if you're giving advice to someone who
might be coming into the industry as in your grad
or is someone who's really interested in the same things
you are, what kind of advice would you give them.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Yeah, that's a that's a good question, because when I
knew I could, I was well qualified at that point
and had been overseas and done a few things and
been farming, and I was like, right, I know, I'm
well qualified to get a role in agronomy with a
seed company. And this says, yeah, this is ten years ago.
So I do think times have changed just a tiny bit.
And I don't know that's a drop in the ocean
(09:51):
for probably a lot of people that will be listening
to this podcast, but for the younger ones, it's probably
quite a long time. You know, like ten years is
a very long time when you when you're twenty years old.
So I I was twenty five somewhere around that late
twenties area when I came back from London and I
was looking on websites at the different seed companies. I
already had resonated with eggre Seeds as they were at
the time named from a cultural perspective, because I could
(10:12):
already see that that looks like a company that had
the culture that I'd be interested in working. But I
was so nerverspot applying because I thought, well, mcgirl, you know,
if if there's a boy with similar qualifications, they'll probably
employ ham, which was just a story that I was
telling myself, but it made me fearful, but you know,
like just go for it, and that's what I did. Nowadays,
I don't think it, honestly as even something that would
(10:34):
be considered in people looking at CVS for us, in
any of the other proprietary seed companies and New zeal
even farming jobs, so like it's definitely not as much
of a thing in my opinion, Yeah, I would say anyway,
but definitely, you know, like I could have just there
was a point where I was like, well maybe I
won't maybe I'll go farming again, or maybe I'll just
wait a bit and see if anyone approaches me, but
(10:54):
not just get in there and go for it, Like yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
Being the master of your own destiny, way, isn't it. Really?
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (11:02):
And I think one of the things that's come through
a lot and a lot of the conversations we've had
with women is to pick up on people who can
support you, be a mentor be a champion for you
heating forward. And I know that I know in previous
conversations I've had with you that that's been a real
factor for you and in quite a few different places,
(11:23):
so be amazing to hear a little bit about what
that looks like for you. And those people might be
especially thinking from a perspective of someone coming into not
just your industry, but anyhow any part of the real industry.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
And I think it's so important to find people perhaps
like I think a mentor would be described as someone
who's maybe traveled a similar path to you, or can
relate in terms of some of the things that you've
done together that they've done. Sorry, So finding someone who's
taken a path or even just part of a path
that you want to take, I think is a real key.
(11:58):
So I was lucky enough to bump into, I think
a girl who was working in agronomy when I was
doing my postgradera and I spent a couple of days
out on farm with her and was like, yeah, I
think this is something that I will do when I
get back to New Zealand. So that was quite a
good thing to do, because you might think that you
want to do a certain role, but actually go out
and spend a day with one of these people, like
(12:20):
someone like myself, for example. Just look people's names up
on the website, email them like the worst thing they
can do is not reply, but they will most of
the time. So find those people, get yourself out and
get those experiences to see if it is something that
you want to do, like do your research. But for me,
like there was definitely keep people along the way. Like
when I started in this role, a very senior sort
(12:40):
of person in the company who had been with the
company for number as an is still a mentor to
me now said to me, oh, Janet's great, You've got
stob I think you're going to be wonderful, but you
won't be an agronomist for about five years. And I
was like, well, I'm almost now, Like that's in my head.
He was so right, Like I really you know, it
took me five or six years to start to be like, oh,
(13:03):
I think I kind of understand, you know, like I
think I'm adding value to this company and bringing back
and I'm not saying diminishing any of the previous five years.
Like there was so much learning and so much stuff
that we did, and so much we gave back in
different ways. But it's a long game, and it can
be a long game with mini career paths, not just
what I've done and just recognizing that and taking every
day to learn off the people around you, find the
(13:24):
people that inspire you and get close to them. So
when I moved up to the y KAO SO, I
was based down I've been with County ten years. It
was based down at the head office in christ Church
with a big research farm near Dartfield. I was based
down there for three years and then I've been up
here for When I first came up, I was working
with a guy called will Henson and really inspiring guy
pretty much the same age as me, so there wasn't
(13:46):
really an age gap. He'd been in the company a
bit longer. Obviously. The scales he had for like talking
to people and communication and storytelling around grass and how
it grows and topics was so inspirational to me, and
he didn't realize it probably at the time, but he
was definitely someone that I'd made a lot and was
kind of a mentor. Like I'd be like, oh, you
know when you just described that thing before that person
(14:08):
and they really got it, He's like, yeah, You've got
to tell a story, you know. I was like, well,
I can do this, like you know, so why do
those people that inspire you and also maybe that are
doing a similar thing can be good. I think. So
there's been a few like and my my postgrade supervisors
at UNI were also champions of their field, King Penagronomy,
De Morris and Beef Systems and Paul Kenyon and Sheep
(14:32):
like Veil great because they were living a passion and
it made me know, like, I want to love my
passion too. I want to be like you guys going
to burn.
Speaker 5 (14:37):
So yeah, it just you can never underestimate the value
of having those special inspiring people around you just to
kind of help lift you up and also give your
advice about how to do things you might already be
doing well, even bitter.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
And they're really really awesome version of yourself.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
And yeah, I have seen that and you even in
the time that I've known you, which is incredible. And
I really appreciate it when you when you dumb it
down for me because I don't really know a lot
of grass.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
There's no such thing as going down. It's just telling
a story in a way that people can understand, right,
But yeah, it's so true. The other thing I would say, though,
is to look for people. Maybe for me that's been
useful as finding people outside of your probably your patient
area what you're doing for work, that can ask you
questions and probe you in a right way. And you
know that's then we'll look at things through a different
(15:30):
lens and ask you all do that that way or
do is there what you want to keep doing or
what else are you interested in? Like, I think it's
good to have a wide circle, but in terms of
career and what you want to do, I'd say, find
those people that you really think are awesome and kind
of copy them for a while.
Speaker 5 (15:47):
Jim, you and I talk quite often about looking after
yourself as a person before you can come to work
and be really effective.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
And also in any.
Speaker 5 (15:58):
Giving back, any volunteering, any industry stuff that you do,
because I know that you're really passionate about your overall industry.
Tell us a little bit about some of the things
you do day to day, week to week and actually
even season to season that help make doing the best
version of yourself.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Oh, that's that is so important, And I think we
don't talk about this stuff enough. Like we were always
busy wearing our different masks day to day of whatever
we're doing at the time. But like it's so important
to look after number one. And when you are busy,
or you've got a career, or you're a mom, and
you've just got all these things going on, like it
can be really hard to actually remember who you are
(16:37):
underneath it all, but scheduling that time to really remember.
So for me, it's work that will distract me a
little bit from looking after myself at times. And I
travel a bit for work, so you really every week
is different, and so I cheesily call it gen time,
and I will schedule in my gen time, usually on
a Friday, or sometimes on a Saturday if it's for
(17:00):
the following week. So normally the week before you know
what your week's going to look like the next week,
so actually looking within it. So obviously for me works
number one Monday to Friday, but I know what that
looks like, and I know where the gaps and where
I can fit stuff in, so I know what fills
out my cup. So I think it's important to know
for you what's important to you to get your to
(17:21):
fill yourself back up, I guess, and rather than just
continuing to take from the cup. So for me, it's
sounds counterintuitive, but it's exercise in sort of well being stuff,
so running, gym, spin class, stuff like they're going for
even just a walk with a friend. It can be
so so good for you sometimes cooking or baking but
(17:42):
or reading a book, things like that. But just make
sure it's scheduled, because if you don't. I find if
I don't schedule a run or a gym class or
a pin class or something into my week, or a
walk with a friend five point thirty one evening or
a first thing in the morning, it won't happen. So
scheduling like you would normal meeting if that would work
for you, not ever and likes to do it that way.
Or if you find yourself with an hour at lunchtime
(18:03):
and it's sunny, like get out there and go for
a walk, because you can't keep giving up. I'm a
very passionate person too, and very hypol so I'll give
my energy away all day long. But unless I schedule
that time to like come back to myself, and most
of the sos I do would be on my own.
I do do running club as well in a group,
(18:24):
but yeah, would be the way that I fill my
cup up, and I just think it's super important.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
I love the practical element of scheduling it. I've been
working on this as well as you know, and I
really think if you put it down there as a meeting,
and even more so if you can create some accountability
around it, whether a friend or even I've got a trainer,
then you're more likely to not want to let that
person down as well.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
So I think that's that's a massive awesome Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, So meeting someone is really good because
there'll be times when you can't, like you have to
switch the schedule, but if you make it like a
work meeting, get out of it. But also i'd say
have strict boundaries, like if you do running club at
five point thirty on a Thursday. Okay, occasionally they might
be a work meeting and you're in a different town
(19:13):
or you're away, or something happens with your family or
something needs to be done. But if you can schedule,
if you can say you know, this is blocked out
for that and the meeting's running, like so I'm off,
I've got to go to running club and you're you know,
honestly like.
Speaker 5 (19:29):
Right, you've got time out of work, and they'll just.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
Say, hey, no, yeah, we really support that you're going
to do that. It's great.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
Yeah, I think it's important and workers and you know,
what you're doing day to day is important. But looking
after yourself as number one, that's the only person you've
really got at the end of the day.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Exactly. Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 5 (19:48):
So Jin, you have had some very cool points in
your life. You've moved successfully through a big, well renound company.
I'm really interested to hear what your proudest moments have
been so far in terms of not just your career
but personally, things that you've done that you've just thought
(20:10):
then yeah, I've totally smashed it. And it's amazing to
hear from people what their proudest moments are actual They've
always different quite a lot.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
Yeah, if I go back before this job, I was
definitely really proud to have done that year back at
UNI doing my postgrad in grass because it was me
living really close to my true values. Like I knew
what I wanted to do, I knew that I was
passionate about it, and I just made that year happen
for me. So that was a really proud thing to
go I guess to come through like it wasn't even
(20:40):
just it wasn't an individual moment where I was like, oh, yeah,
I did that. It was like probably a few years
later where I was like, and it was cool how
I did that thing that time. And again, like I'm
not saying people need to have gone to university or
anything like that, but for me, like, that was a
cool thing that I did for me, And even if
it's like a course that you've been scared of doing
or a club that you wanted to join, just do something.
(21:02):
You know. Having done that and knowing that I was
living so close to what I in my culture and
my values was really really good. So that was a
really proud thing to look back on, I guess and
be like at the time, I didn't really realize or notice,
but yeah, it was awesome proud. The proudest things at
work probably getting about sex or seven years into the
role into the company and standing up and talking to
(21:25):
a quite a big group one time near TAPO just
about pastor management, and I just felt like I was
in flow and everyone was engaged, and it was this
weird moment in time where I was looking at and
I was like, all the things I've done up to
now really helped me get to this point. I mean,
I do that kind of stuff every week of the year,
but on this one particular occasion, I just remember everyone
was engaged. I said some jokes that someone laughed at,
(21:47):
but that wasn't the problem, but I like, no, but
more like I just saw people's eyes being like, oh wow,
I get that, Like I understand what she's talking about.
I was like, yeah, I'm really proud of where I've
come from. But also like all of the individual moments
that are often really hard with work, like all of
those things that didn't go very well but that you
learn so much from, they can all come together at
(22:09):
some point and you just and like I just met
one day. It was so weird, but I was like
all of those hard times that I've had and like
looking at others and being like, I'll never be like them.
Like I was like, I don't think I was like them,
but in my own way, I was like doing a
good job and I was proud. So that was just
a funny, just a normal Tuesday or something.
Speaker 6 (22:29):
Yeah, And I think one of the things and you
picked up on it earlier when you talked about learning
to tell stories, about brass and about connecting with people
and I feel like that knowledge probably came together and
you connected with the audience.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
And I think that's a massive, massive thing for people
who are in sales roles or in roles where.
Speaker 5 (22:51):
That going out educating like like you have for a
lot of your career, connecting with the audience is the
most important thing that you can do.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
And I know that connection is really important to be
with a person as well.
Speaker 5 (23:04):
One thing I did want to just pack up a
little bit on Jim is just that comment around living
your values and being in sync with yourself and genuinely
what you want out of life. And I know that
you have done quite a lot of work around this
and wondering if there was anything you could share with
us around that sort of values driven approach that even
(23:26):
around finding what is most important to you and some
of even the strategies if you've got any, or just
about your journey and finding some of those those things
would be really wonderful to you.
Speaker 3 (23:38):
About or trying to live a life that aligns with
your values is super important. And I've actually just been
through recently been through one of the Everyone Development Trust
courses and they made us really dive deep into what
our values are, which is important because I think you
can have a lot of values, right, like try and
forge out what the key ones are. And for me,
like connection with people is huge. So lucky enough, like
(24:00):
as you just describe, like I get to work in
a role where I'm educating and talking to people and
storytelling and getting them to understand grasp and clover and
things like that on the daily, which is wonderful. But
we actually, you know, we don't have offices up here.
We work at a home. We're on the road a
lot head offices in christ Church, so I'm down there
every other month to catch up and their meetings and stuff.
(24:22):
But recognize, you know, there was a few years there
where I really struggled up here because I was connecting
enough one on one with people. I was connecting one
to many in these fleeting two hour engagements on farm
or whatever, or with a farmer for an hour on
their farm, walking the pedic, but like, the intense connection
was something that was really important to me. And just
recognizing that and trying to find it outside of work
(24:43):
as well as within work has been really important. So
I'd encourage people to recognize what their values are, because
if you're not feeling aligned, or if you're feeling a
bit off or not happy, it could be that you're
just missing something like that and you can find it again.
But it almost takes pen to paper, like write down
what's important to you, like, what builds you up, what
makes you happy, those sort of things that sort of
self care and I really love self development, understanding yourself
(25:08):
sort of what drives you, what makes you happy, what's
your passion if that's we feel like you want to
go but you know, no days a work day, if
you passionate about what you're doing right, like life talking.
Speaker 5 (25:20):
About it's it's like that age old work life balance
chat where people say, oh, you know, have you got
this balance between.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
What you do be a job and what you have
in your life?
Speaker 5 (25:33):
And my opinion genuinely is that it's all right and
you have to live in alignment with your values for
as much of it as you possibly can. So, yeah,
if you love what you do every day, want work
a day in your life, and that's not realistic every
day and every one.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
No, not every moment either, for sure.
Speaker 5 (25:50):
Yeah, yeah, but I think it's something that you need
to think about when you are looking at why you
do what you do and that question why is massive
setting your direction?
Speaker 4 (26:01):
So thank you for sharing the values information edging. That's awesome.
Speaker 5 (26:06):
I think one thing I would sort of just like
to leave the listeners with is sort of maybe a
little bit of a goal projection for you in what
you're maybe like wanting to achieve over the next twelve months.
Speaker 4 (26:20):
And your own life and your work, even if it's
something that's not particular to your career.
Speaker 5 (26:27):
We just love sharing people's goals, and I also think
it's nice for you to be able to look back
as well and say, on the twelfth of August, this
is what I said.
Speaker 3 (26:36):
Because goals to change, right like, depending on where you're
at with your life and what you're wanting to do
in the moment and things you know outside of your
control that are happening. It can change what your goals
are dead day. But yeah, So having just done this
amazing course with the AWDT, like it was actually good
because they asked me, you know, they made us actually
write down, you know, the next twelve months for us,
(26:57):
what does it look like? And for me it's a
bit of a combo of work and personal stuff at
the moment. I think this connection thing that I've already
spoken on like is quite big for me, and I'm
realizing how important it really is. So just making sure
I'm doing those things outside of work to get that connection.
I live like by myself, and I often work by myself,
(27:18):
so I know probably there's lots of mums that might
be listening to this that are probably like, oh, what
I wouldn't give, you know, a little bit less connection
with my kids or whatever. It is a fairly busy,
and I give that too. But for me, where I'm
at right now is like, yeah, I think just making sure.
So there's this I do running clubs, so I'm just
going to make sure I keep going to that and
see the bigger picture of having these connections with all
(27:39):
sorts of random people that do completely different jobs and stuff.
I see a life coach, which is good because she
probes me on this stuff too and asks me questions.
So that's that's really great. And in terms of work,
like I've realized, you know how I mentioned earlier, a
colleague said to me, you know, you won't be an
agronomist for five years gin and I rolled my eyes,
(27:59):
and then seven years later realized he was did right.
And the good thing about a role, you know in
New Zealand farming industries is that you're learning every day.
There's more in different things that you can learn or
parts that you can go down, whether it's soils or
environment or legumes or whatever it is. But trying to
understand for me, what's the next thing for me in
terms of my passion point, because grass and clover and
(28:21):
homegrown feed is what I'm really into. But where else
can this take me or what could this look like
within my current role as well? You know, New Zealand's
got this huge advantage in terms of producing protein from
homegrown feed, so from grass and clover and crops, and
many other countries can't do that, and so I'm really
(28:43):
passionate about homegrown feed and protein produced from grass and
clover in our systems. So what can that look like
for me in terms of my current role or maybe
even into the future, you know what I want to do?
So yeah, grass feed meat is cool. I mean I
like it in me as well, So that's good.
Speaker 5 (29:02):
It's actually a beautiful dream and it's something that our
country does improveably well. And I think it's exciting to
hear how much more we could do in that space,
and especially with.
Speaker 7 (29:13):
People like you who are incredible at knowing how to
grow feet and efficiently in an environment environmentally sustainable way.
So yeah, it's amazing and I actually really look forwarding
to see what comes with that dream and what comes
with that passion of yours, because yeah, I think it's
really really special. So Jim, I would just like to
(29:35):
say thank you so much for sharing your experiences with
us today, your life and what you're passionately about your June,
and actually honor you for standing up and being a
really awesome inspiring figure for our younger woman and real woman.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
And obviously we're really excited about bringing.
Speaker 7 (29:54):
Through the new generation of rural women, so it's amazing
to have people like you despite your experiences.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Rural Women New Zealand is a community of like minded
women who are doing amazing things in their respective regions
and communities.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
This podcast celebrates the achievements, successes and stories of our
rural women, which are also the foundations for our organization's
rich history.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
We want you to be part of our future story,
so please join us by clicking on the link in
the show notes, and we look forward to welcoming you
into the fold,
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!