Telford

Study at SIT Telford — Where Practical Learning Meets Real Farming

Get hands-on training in agriculture, horticulture, and rural management on Telford’s 921-hectare working farm near Balclutha — now offering Zero Fees for eligible students.

Since 1964, Telford has been preparing students for rewarding careers in agriculture. Study on a real commercial farm with livestock, cropping, and forestry units, guided by expert tutors and industry-connected farm managers. Live, learn, and work in an authentic rural environment that mirrors real New Zealand farming.

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A Living Classroom for Rural Education

Telford is part of New Zealand’s farming history and a vital part of SIT’s mission to deliver applied, practical education. Located on 921 hectares of farmland just outside Balclutha, Telford combines classroom learning with real-life work experience on commercial sheep, beef, dairy, deer, and forestry farms.

Extensive Working Farmland

921 hectares of practical learning across multiple farm units.

Students working with livestock and machinery

Practical Hands-On Training

Direct experience with livestock, machinery, and cropping systems.

Workshop for machinery, carpentry, welding

Technical Workshops

Develop skills in machinery operation, carpentry, and welding.

On-Site Student Dog Kennels

Over 30 kennels supporting essential sheep and cattle work.

Commercial Work Experience

Weekly placements with leading farms to build your industry network.

Supportive Learning Environment

Small class sizes with dedicated, expert tutors.

Study Agriculture Without the Financial Stress

The Zero Fees Scheme is returning to Telford — meaning eligible students can study tuition-free while gaining industry-ready agricultural skills.

Who’s Eligible:

New Zealand citizens and permanent residents
Australian citizens residing in New Zealand
Students enrolled in eligible SIT Telford programmes

Zero Fees

Study Agriculture Without the Financial Stress

Agricultural and Primary Industry Programmes at Telford

Telford offers a range of qualifications from certificates to diplomas, designed to equip students with practical, industry-ready skills. Study full-time on campus or gain experience through hybrid and distance learning options.

Find a course

Grouping by Grouping By:Qualification Select subject area to view available courses. Click course name to view details and enrol.

Agriculture, Environmental & Life Sciences
Education & Language

Campus Life & Facilities

Live and Learn the Rural Way

The Telford campus offers a true rural lifestyle with a friendly, close-knit student community. Accommodation is available on-site in comfortable halls of residence. Choose from single rooms with ensuite or shared bathroom options, with 5- or 7-day stays available.

Facilities Include:

Fully operational farm units: sheep and beef, dairy, deer, forestry.
Technical workshops for machinery, welding, and carpentry.
Classrooms, computer labs, and student lounges.
On-site accommodation and student dining.
Supportive staff and 24/7 campus support services.

View Campus Life

Hear from Telford Students

Hannah

Certificate in Agriculture

“Telford is more than a campus — it’s a community. I learned practical farming skills and made friends for life.”

James

Diploma in Agriculture

“The tutors really care about helping you succeed. Every week we got to work on real farms and apply what we learned.”

Video Testimonials

News & Profiles

# News, Telford, Zero Fees Scheme

With Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) approaching independence in 2026, their agricultural campus, Telford, is celebrating this week over the return of the iconic Zero Fees Scheme, which has...

Zero Fees returns to SIT Telford campus

# News, Event, Telford, Students, Balclutha

Red Band gumboots were seen in large numbers last week, when nearly 300 high school students from 19 schools across the region gathered at Telford campus near Balclutha, to compete in the 2nd...

Clash of Colleges expands at Telford

# News, Telford, Student, Balclutha

Telford diploma student, Katelin (Kate) Perkins received a significant boost to her education last week when she became the first recipient of Telford’s new scholarship, the Telford Farm...

Telford awards new scholarship for DipAg programme

# News, Graduate, Telford, Agriculture, Student

Jayda Prue has conquered fears and physical challenges to become a top agricultural student at Telford.

“I’m 5 foot 1 … how am I going to shear these...

# Telford, Agriculture, Student Profile, Agricultural Contracting, Animal Care, Telford Graduate, Agricentre South, Telford Alumni, Balclutha

Growing up on a sheep and beef farm in South Canterbury, Zoe Ross was undecided about her career by the time she finished secondary school. “All my friends were going to be a teacher or...

Zoe Ross - Rural Animal Technician and DipAg,...

Rural Animal Technician and DipAg, Telford

# Telford, Graduation, Graduates, Balclutha

The sun shone in Balclutha on November 28, making it a perfect day for Telford’s class of 2024 to graduate, with their street procession and graduation ceremony taking place amongst hundreds...

A perfect day for Telford’s 2024 graduation

# SIT, Telford, Student

Tamara Sands knew she wanted to go farming from the age of 15. Gaining relevant, practical training with a Telford qualification, she successfully entered agriculture as a career, and has a future...

Tamara Sands - Certificate in Farming Systems...

# News, Telford, Study, Rural Animal Technician

Southern Institute of Technology’s agricultural campus, Telford, has recently updated one of its core programmes, introducing greater flexibility of learning for students.

Unified Animal Health programme introduces...

# News, Telford, Wool Grading

Southern Institute of Technology’s recent appointment of two new tutors with a specialist set of skills ensures the continuation of their qualification, the New Zealand Certificate in Wool...

Tutors appointed for wool programme

# Graduate, Telford, Agriculture, Student Profile, Telford Graduate, Vet Nursing, Telford Alumni

Chrismari Venter recalls from her South African childhood she wanted to be a vet or a farmer, having been influenced by visits to the farms of family friends. “We moved to New Zealand in...

Chrismari Venter - NZ Certificate in Animal...

NZ Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) Rural Animal Technician

# News, Telford, Telford Graduate, Graduation, Balclutha

Telford’s 2023 graduates were the first to walk across the stage in their graduation ceremony at the recently completed Te Pou Ō Mata-Au - Clutha District War Memorial & Community...

Telford Graduation held at New Community Hub

# Telford, Agriculture, Scholarships, Rural Vet Technician, Scholarship

A new scholarship created through the funds from the now ceased Clutha Agricultural Development Board will provide support to the latest generation of Clutha youth wanting to train in agriculture...

New Telford Scholarship to benefit local youth

# News, Graduate, Telford, Agriculture, Telford Graduate, Dogs

Telford graduate, Davey Drummond, is passionate about sheep dog training and as an essential component of his job as a Stock Manager, making the cut for the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trials is not...

First Attempt at NZ Dog Trials for Telford...

# Telford, Agriculture, Student Profile, Telford Graduate, Telford Alumni, Agribusiness

Alex Field has gone from shy teenager to confident young farmer who knows how to pull out all the stops and apply himself in his career The transformation has come from an inner drive to succeed,...

Alex Field

Telford - Diploma in Rural Business

# Telford, Agriculture, Student Profile, Taster Camps, Telford Graduate, Telford Alumni

Having grown up on a North Island dairy farm, Bayley Coates already knew the dairying lifestyle of early mornings and routines revolving around the cows wasn’t of interest to her. However,...

Bayley Coates

Telford - Diploma in Agriculture

# Telford, Agriculture, Student Profile, Equine, Telford Graduate, Telford Alumni

Gina Stiehl knew she wanted to have a career with horses ever since she was young, but it wasn't until she got her own horse in 2013, the passion really started evolving.

Gina Stiehl

Equine graduate Telford

# Telford, Agriculture, Student Profile, Telford Graduate

Like most rural kids who grew up on a farm, Curtis Whyte helped out where he could; shaped by those early experiences, he wanted to learn more and get qualified, to help progress his career in...

Curtis Whyte

Telford Graduate - Certificate & Diploma in Agriculture

# Telford

A new collaboration between Telford, Southern Institute of Technology’s agricultural campus, and Southland dairy farmer, Tangaroa Walker, the creator of Farm 4 Life, intends to provide dairy...

Telford Partners with Farm 4 Life for Dairy...

# Telford, Agriculture, Alumni, Telford Graduate

Tom Adkins decision to study at Telford was made after hearing good things about the rural polytechnic, and the Certificate in Agriculture was just a one-year course there, whereas at other cadet...

Tom Adkins

Agriculture Graduate

# Telford, Agriculture, Alumni, Telford Graduate

Lisa Bonenkamp started her study journey at Telford like many other students, getting an idea of what the rural polytechnic had on offer at one of its Taster Camps.

Lisa Bonenkamp

Certificate & Diploma in Agriculture

Victoria Madgwick loved her first year at Telford so much she came back the following year and completed another programme, giving her two qualifications in two years. It’s turned out to be...

RVT and Dip Ag

Victoria Madgwick

Being a Balclutha local gave Lily Newton an advantage when it came time to choose where to study. She said she knew about the ‘Telford family’ and what the students got up to, and she...

RVT graduate

Lily Newton

# Telford, Agriculture, Diploma in Agriculture

Telford is toasting it’s Massey Diploma in Agriculture Class of 2020 with all their graduates going directly into full-time employment in the rural sector after graduation.

Telford Dip Ag Class of 2020 Achieve 100%...

# Agriculture, Telford Graduate

Mason Jones came to study agriculture at Telford from a city background. Realising he would be starting from scratch, he chose to study there because he knew he needed to learn the basics properly.

Mason Jones

Telford Certificate in Agriculture and Diploma in Agriculture

# Alumni, Equine, Telford Graduate

Telford graduate Isabella Chapman-Reynolds is “hugely passionate” about animals, but in particular, about horses. When the time came for her to decide where she would study, she...

Isabella Chapman-Reynolds

Equine Graduate

# Telford, Agriculture, Scholarship

The long-term relationship between Telford and Jeff Farm has been mutually beneficial, firstly, in helping hundreds of young people realise their study and job goals by taking their first steps in...

Scholarship Programme Provides a Helping Hand...

# Telford, Telford Alumni

Brought up on a dairy farm at Maungaturoto in Northland, Miss Coates decided to study for a diploma in agriculture at the SIT Telford campus in 2015, rather than stick with dairying.

Focus changes from from flocks to frocks

# Telford, Students

North Island agricultural students are making the most of their time in the deep South. For a budding farmer, the South Island high country might seem like the ultimate place to launch a career....

Pair making most of time in South

# Telford

Check out our great facilities, chat to tutors and staff about study options, career pathways and services.

Telford Open Day

# Telford, Tulloch Farm Machines, Agricentre South

A phone call asking for help and a desire to assist a sector that’s struggling to find experienced staff, is all it took for a Masterton farm machinery retailer to step forward...

Loan of Equipment to Telford Campus

# Telford, SIT2LRN

There’s never been a better time to retrain or upskill in preparation to re-enter the workforce through Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), and you can do it from the comfort of your own...

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND WITH SIT2LRN AND...

for the Post-Covid Job Market

# Telford, GODairy

She has swapped monkeys and tigers for dairy cows and is loving the change of animal.

Cows big change from animals in Laos

# Telford, Agriculture, GODairy

A job loss has brought Mosgiel man Steve Morris back to his agricultural roots, and the 55-year-old is glad of it.

Covid 19 coronavirus: Redundancy leads career...

# Telford, GODairy

Telford dairy farm manager John Thornley has played a key role in getting the first GoDairy course under way at the Southern Institute of Technology Telford campus. He has first-hand knowledge of...

Telford dairy farm manager no stranger to...

# Telford, Agriculture, Agricultural Contractor Training

Matthew Cudby’s plans for a new career and home in a new location were disrupted by New Zealand’s entry into Lockdown in March 2020, and he found himself needing to quickly reassess...

Matthew Cudby

Agriculture Contractor Training

# Telford, GODairy, Dairy Industry

Telford is partnering with DairyNZ to offer free entry-level training for career changers whose employment may have been impacted by Covid-19 and are serious about pursuing new opportunities in...

Telford Offers Free Dairy Training

# Agriculture, Agricultural Contractor Training

Central Otago seems a strange place for a marine master in command to end up. And working on a farm, stranger still. However, Malaysian-born and raised Reynold Alvins is loving it.

From tour bus to tractor-driving

Agricultural Contractor Training

# Telford, Agriculture, Agricultural Contractor Training

New rural contractor employee Robin Peters has come full circle with agriculture. Having started out in farming as a young man, he’s now working locally in the Te Anau basin with Steve...

Robin Peters

Agricultural Contractor Training

# Telford, Agriculture, Agricultural Contractor Training

The 40-year-old from Glenorchy had just completed a six-week agricultural contractor redeployment course, which was offered to people who lost their jobs because of Covid-19, when the Government...

The Covid Diaries: Displaced tourism worker on...

# SIT, Telford

The Southern Institute of Technology is planning to introduce or update forestry, apiculture, horticulture and aquaculture courses to cater for the increasing demand for primary sector workers.

Interest driving updates of SIT’s primary...

# Telford, Agriculture, Agricultural Contractor Training

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)’s primary sector taster camps and the rural contracting training programme are proving so successful the Telford campus is looking at running more...

Courses at Telford prove very popular

# Telford, Camps

Katie Gunn (17), of Roxburgh, describes the three-day "Meat Your Career" camp at Telford last week as "amazing" and "pretty cool". New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF)...

Pupils shown agricultural careers

# Telford, Agriculture, Scholarships

The long-term relationship between Telford and Jeff Farm has been mutually beneficial, firstly, in helping hundreds of young people realise their study and job goals by taking their first steps in...

Scholarship programme provides a helping hand...

# Telford, Retraining, Primary Sector, Taster Camps

Southern Institute of Technology’s (SIT) agricultural faculty Telford has a long-held tradition of running Taster Camps for students thinking of training there for a career in agriculture....

Telford runs Taster Camps for Job Seekers

# Agricultural Contractor Training

One of our students (Alejandro) on the current intake for the Agricultural Contractor Training has produced a fantastic video while with us.

AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTOR TRAINING

SIT’s Telford Campus NZ

# Telford, Technology

Telford students discuss the Tenstar tractor simulator.

Simulation Technology helping SIT Telford...

# Agriculture, Agricultural Contracting, Agricultural Contractor Training

Four very large wheels, a ton of horsepower and a new career on the farm. The reality for more than 100 keen southerners is now learning how to drive a tractor after losing their jobs to the...

New recruits learn to drive tractors after...

# Telford, Agricultural Contracting

Richard Woodhead shares his thoughts on launching a career in the agriculture sector.

Richard Woodhead Wanaka Agriculture Contracting

# Telford, Agricultural Contracting

Chris Hughes shares his thoughts on launching a career in the agriculture sector.

Chris Hughes (Hughes Contracting)

Penny Simmonds shares information about the Agricultural Contractor Training.

Penny Simmonds CEO of Southern Institute of...

Agriculture Contractor Training

# Telford, Agricultural Contracting

David Kean shares his thoughts on launching a career in the agriculture sector.

David Kean President of Rural Contractors NZ

# Telford, Agriculture, Agriculture Expo

Over 200 unemployed workers from the Southern region attended the Agricultural Redeployment Expo in Queenstown and Te Anau last week. The new initiative, the brainchild of Penny Simmonds, Chief...

Successful Expos Redirect People and Skills...

# Agricultural Expo

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), along with its Agricultural faculty Telford, collaborated with Agricultural and Forestry industry groups to provide short training courses to allow people...

Agricultural Redeployment Expo Press...

Southern-based rural contractors have lent machinery and support to three training initiatives aimed at attracting those who’ve lost jobs to work in the farming and contracting sector.

Contractors back training initiatives