Philip, who grew up on a dairy farm in Dannevirke, says he has always been interested in farming, and wanted to start his training as soon as possible. “I thought, instead of doing my last year at school I could be elsewhere, learning about something that is focused on what I want to do in the future, which is agriculture.”
It was a family trip to the South Island that started Philip on his journey to Telford. “… we were passing through Balclutha and Dad had heard of Telford, so [he] took us for a drive to have a look.” And that cinched the deal; Philip enrolled in Farming Systems at Telford.
Philip tackled a good range of essential farming skills in his year-long course, including learning to shear, butchery, fencing, learning names of weeds and grasses, and getting to know basics in agronomy, soils and fertilisers.
The biggest challenge he faced was finishing his assignments on time, but he knuckled down and sorted this out by trying to start earlier, and “Not leaving it until the last minute”.
Philip was rewarded by the friendly environment at Telford; his most valued experience was meeting new people, “… getting to know them more and making good friendships.” A number of Telford students continue with their sports activities while living on campus, and Philip got involved in sports locally, playing rugby for the Owaka Rugby Club.
Another benefit Philip took advantage of was Telford’s work experience, which is built into the programme. “Doing work experience helped me find weekend work around the area, as well as getting to know contacts that could help me for future employment.”
Alongside receiving his Certificate in Farming Systems at the 2025 graduation, Philip was awarded the Telford Tennis Cup, and the Round Table Trophy for Cross Country Championship. He was also the recipient of the Telford Farm Board Farming Systems Scholarship.
This year, Philip is returning to Telford to study the Massey Diploma in Agriculture. “… from there I hope to get back into dairy farming and with my qualifications, I hope to move up the ranks in the dairy industry to farm ownership one day.”
Philip has sound advice to students considering training at Telford.
“I would say Telford is a great option to help you get you through into the agricultural industry… it’s also a great way to meet new people and get to know the area by playing for local sports clubs, and meeting farmers who could help you [with] employment in the farming industry.”