A tongue-in-cheek look at the romantic success of many New Zealand Young Farmers clubs provided the theme for this year’s Waikato-Bay of Plenty Young Farmers Regional Ball. Following on from the ever increasing number of hook ups, marriages and families formed as a result of young farmers clubs, the theme “Valentines Masquerade” was chosen to also tie in with the date of 13th of February. New Zealand Young Farmers clubs not only provide a social network for rural youth which develops the leadership and personal skills of its member, but have a long and proud history of sparking romantic connections.

New Zealand Young Farmers clubs are a big part of rural life in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty with more than ten clubs, including the two biggest clubs in New Zealand, in our region.  Membership is open to everyone between the ages of 15 and 31 and it is a great way to meet people with similar interests, as well as developing leadership skills and contributing to the community through the many events that are held. Every year the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Region hosts a ball that is open not only to New Zealand Young Farmers members but to the public as well. Past balls have been very successful and this year the ball has been moved to Hamilton with an expected crowd of 250. The Meteor, on the corner of Victoria and Bridge streets, provides a fantastic venue that not only provides a theatrical backdrop to theme but is centrally located. We have been fortunate to secure popular Matamata band FURious to play at the ball until midnight, with a separate afterball function (free entry with your ball ticket) being held at Axcess bar from midnight to 3am. So everyone buy your dresses and book your suits, choose your masks and head to the Meteor on the February the 13th to celebrate Valentines Day. Who knows - you may meet that someone special and become the next entry in the long history of young farmer relationship success stories.

2010 Waikato- Bay of Plenty Young Farmers Regional Ball is support by ZM and is being held on Saturday the 13th of February 2010 at the Meteor in Hamilton. Everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets are $60 per person which includes a complimentary drink on arrival and supper. Formal dress. For more information or ticket sales contact the regional chairman Jason Hoyle on 0275313188.

Kiwi innovators connected to commerce

Entries for 2010 are now open for the annual Innovations Competition at the New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays. The competition encourages New Zealanders to get creative in the rural sector, by producing new devices, developments and equipment which improve and support farming practice.

Inventors are all vying for the prestigious Golden Standard, the supreme award in innovation worth $5,000. It is no wonder that every year the number and standard of entries increases considerably.

This year organisers have placed significant emphasis on supporting inventors post competition. In previous years entrants may have been ill equipped to explore the commercial possibilities of their inventions. The Fieldays Innovations committee is committed to bridging the gap between the creators and potential investors both locally and internationally; by providing expert guidance on marketing, development, protection and finance of their product. Organisers are intent on going the extra mile for entrants by providing valuable opportunities and mentors for the innovators. Dedicated seminars will be held during Fieldays; allowing innovators to meet with rural business heavyweights and investigate the potential of their creations.

The importance on this initiative is backed by the 2010 Fieldays Premier Feature, Innovation for future profit. To support the Premier Feature, for 2010 the Innovations Centre will be moved to the heart of Fieldays outside the Mystery Creek Pavilion, the competition will also attribute an award based on Innovation for future profit. The Fieldays Innovations Competition features two main categories: the Inventions Category and the Equipment Category. The Inventions section is aimed at the low key, back yard invention, whereas the equipment category is designed for professionals to showcase new and improved designs. Youth are also encouraged to enter, with a specific award of $1000 for under 25's.

The winners will receive more than the glory and prize money of the award; the media exposure of their invention is invaluable. Armed with the correct tools to make the most out the attention gained, the opportunities are endless.

Entries are now open for the Innovations Competition and will close on 7 May, 2010. There will be an initial judging, and the best of the entries will be displayed in the Innovation Centre at National Agricultural Fieldays 16-19 June, held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton. For further information please contact Innovations Coordinator, Gemma Antoniadis on 07 843 4499, email gemmaa@fieldays.co.nz or visit http://www.fieldays.co.nz/.

The Innovation Centre is proudly supported by The University of Waikato, James & Wells, 4 Seasons and Straight Furrow.

New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays will be held 16 to 19 June, 2010 at Mystery Creek Events Centre, ten minutes south of Hamilton. Fieldays is proudly supported by strategic partners; The National Bank and the University of Waikato.

For further comment please contact:

Ariana Tucker, Communications Advisor, New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays
Phone: 07 843 4497 or 027 434 3651 Email: media@fieldays.co.nz

Samantha Linn, Communications Assistant, New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays
Phone: 07 843 4497 or Email: media@fieldays.co.nz

Fieldays 2010 back to business

The New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays Society recently released the 2010 Fieldays prospectus online. Organisers of the largest agri-business event in the Southern Hemisphere have taken on board exhibitor and visitor feedback and are undergoing a comprehensive review of the entire National Agricultural Fieldays event. The 2010 New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays will be reinvigorated with even stronger emphasis placed on the business of farmers connecting to the rural industry.

What's new in the 2010 Prospectus? The majority of site prices have remained the same as 2009, ensuring Exhibitors continue to have access to cost effective space. In line with next years Premier Feature ‘Innovation for future profit', the Fieldays Innovation Centre will move to outside the Mystery Creek Pavilion for 2010 only. Launched in 2009, the popular International Pavilion has also relocated to a designated area within the Mystery Creek Pavilion and renamed the International Exhibition Area. Another area also experiencing change is the Eastern Exhibition Area, which has been appropriately renamed the ‘Rural Living Area' to better reflect the purpose of this complementary marketplace.

The 2010 New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays will be held 16 to 19 June 2010 at Mystery Creek Events Centre, ten minutes south of Hamilton. The 2010 Fieldays prospectus is available to download here. Following an overwhelming web based uptake in 2008 and an abundance of unused hard copies; organisers have resisted printing the typical 4000x 24 page document, shifting to more sustainable methods of sharing event information online. If interested parties do not have access to the internet, they are encouraged to contact the Fieldays office on 07 843 4499 to discuss other options.

NZ National Agricultural Fieldays is proudly supported by strategic partners; The National Bank and the University of Waikato.