Young Country: Tony Munford

 What is the name of your club, and how long have you been a member?

Bay of Islands club, and I have been a member for 2 years.

What has been the highlight for you of joining Young Farmers? What are the benefits and experiences that you feel have helped you most?

The highlight from joining Young Farmers has been bringing up the club from a two man team to a total of 16 members in two years, with heaps of fun with the team all round. I have been able to get lots of connections all around,and  have gained some experience in what happens in competitions and better understanding of judging stock.

How did you become involved in agriculture?

Through my father Shane, who I’ve helped in dairy sheds and beef farms growing up, and with his Southdown stud rams which he has been breeding for the last five-six years.

What is your job now? 

Currently I’m studying Environmental management level 6 at NorthTec Whangarei, and have been working at GSL Surveys Whangarei part time as an assistant/field worker.

What do you think the future of farming will look like, and what would like to see happening in New Zealand agriculture going forward?

I feel like in the future agriculture equipment will advance by a large margin as well as safety equipment - though I would like to see that the basics of farming and agriculture would stay fairly similar to now.

 What are your future plans?

I would like to work in the environmental side of what I’ve been studying either with native animals or alongside marine work. I have been leading along the side of coming back into the farming industry either with beef or taking over my father’s Southdown stud breeding.

Who has been your biggest inspiration in agriculture, and why?

My grandfather and my father have been my biggest inspiration who have been in agriculture for as long as I can remember. They’ve shown me what it’s like to work with stock and how to judge the meat breeds for cattle and sheep.

What his club have to say about Tony: Tony is a great guy with a big heart. Our BOI Young Farmers Club was about to be shut down in 2024 due to him being the only member and he's successfully brought up the numbers to 15 paid members and growing. Tony is very invested in the club and brings ideas to life in support of the club and community. Overall he's deserving of a shout out.