Over the past year, the JFCT trustees have been approached by the trustees of the Waipaoa Cadet Training farm which has operated in the Gisborne district for some 17 years producing many well trained and ‘farm ready’ young farmers.
With the farm they’ve operated from due to be sold, JFCT is working on an agreement to relocate this farm cadet facility to our Moeangiangi Station.
The establishment of this facility would create a huge legacy in honour of Joan as graduates may well become leaders in the New Zealand farming industry from which the Fernies built their farming empire.
There will be a considerable capital requirement for the building of facilities and a yet to be confirmed annual operational contribution which shall form part of the Joan Fernie Charitable Trust’s charitable donations.
The timing of the first intake is yet to be confirmed and will be decided once building times are finalised. While the Trust’s preference is for a January 2026 intake, it may have to be 2027 given the significant work required to have this cadet training facility ready for operation.