All too often, the New Zealand culture of ‘She’ll be right’ slips into everyday life and becomes an excuse to shrug off bigger issues we face on both personal and professional levels. With growing pressures from adverse weather, biological threats, government regulations, policies and climate change, it’s easy to feel like the ag sector hasn’t seen pressures as great as today. The good news is that the topic on mental health and what we can do to support improved wellbeing is increasingly being talked about in Agriculture and rural communities.
This event following on from World Mental Health Day is another opportunity to do this. We are promoting this event as part of our Innovation Series but also as an opportunity to engage with peers who may have faced similar experiences and hear from experts about how maintaining and improving your wellbeing is key way to managing through ups and downs. We have 3 fantastic keynote speakers who are sharing their knowledge and experiences from farming and wellbeing science and reminding us of the support that is available for those who need it within the farming industry.
We’d love for you to join us.
Timings:
8.45am : Networking
9.00am : Welcome & introduction
9.10am : Keynote address 1 - Dan Smith, Lincoln University
9.40am : Keynote address 2 - Gerard Vaughan, Farmstrong
9:50am : Keynote address 3 - Geoff Spark,
10.00am : Panel discussion/Interactive Q&A session with audience
10.30am : Speaking finishes, networking
11.00am : Event finishes
Our speakers
Dan Smith, Lincoln University
I am Agribusiness Lecturer at Lincoln University lecturing in management and primary industry investment analysis. I am driven by delivering good material to students and encouraging them to reach their career goals. I am also Deputy Chair of the Faculty Teaching Committee. My research and publication interests are rural contractors, rural economies and rural communities as well as new entrants to the agricultural workforce. I have a particular interest in young people’s well-being, both within their university studies and in their early career.
Gerard Vaughan, Farmstrong
Gerard has spent over 20 years designing and implementing social good programmes. This has involved various leadership roles including, Project Lead for Farmstrong (since 2013), National Manager for the “Like Minds” mental health campaign involving well-known NZ’er John Kirwan (2001 - 2006) and CEO of the Alcohol Advisory Council (2007 - 2012).
Geoff Spark
Married to Rochelle with 3 teenage children, together with our team we farm a dairy and beef operation situated at Eyrewell and View Hill, Waimakariri District. I am a Fonterra Cooperative Councillor, member of the Waimakariri Landcare Trust and support our community where we can including sports events hosted on farm.