Eight rural singles will be showing off their farm skills at the 2019 Fieldays, hoping to catch the eye of employers - and a potential love interest.
The finalists in the Fieldays Rural Catch competition will compete in a range of disciplines, vying for an impressive prize pool and the Golden Gumboot award.
This year's competition has them brushing up their confidence with some media interviews and sponsor engagement and showing off their skills in the areas of fencing, innovations, chainsaws, health and wellbeing, finance and ATV skills.
On Wednesday evening, contestants will get the chance to 'Meet a Mate' at a fun event off-site, where they'll have the opportunity to have a bit of fun and meet some new people.
Finalists this year are from around the country, with two from the South Island and six from the North Island and include two wildcards selected by Fieldays Rural Catch partner Farmlands and The Edge.
2019 Fieldays Rural Catch finalists:
Contestant #1 is The Edge Wildcard Gordon Mead, who is a Musterer from Taumarunui who loves to socialise, has an interest in deer farming, and is passionate about mental health awareness. Gordon's ideal date would be a fancy dinner in a restaurant followed by a good dance at a country club.
Contestant #2 is Kerry Taylor, a shepherdess from Wanganui, describes herself and an easy-going, positive friendly girl who loves a laugh and doesn't take things too seriously. Kerry is passionate about stock welfare, she's after someone with a good sense of humour who's easy on the eye and her ideal date would be doing something outdoors like a hike or a horse ride.
Contestant #3 is Lewis Nichols is a Heavy Machinery Operator for Bradfields in Otorohanga, who found his destiny driving tractors and is passionate about sustainable cropping and mental health in the rural sector. Lewis is after a country girl that knows what it takes to be on the land and his ideal date would involve a nice meal and a good beer at a quiet restaurant with plenty of good yarns.
Contestant #4 Charlotte Leach of Hamilton is a Dairy NZ Research Technician who loves to learn and is passionate about reducing environmental impact and improving animal's welfare. Charlotte is after a respectful, mature bloke who loves adventure and having a good laugh. Her ideal date would be a sunset with a rural view and settling down to chat under the stars.
Contestant #5 is Ash Foley, an Arable Senior Assessor based in Christchurch, who loves being outdoors, enjoys being involved in her Waimak Young Farmers club and feels the need to educate society on the importance of farming and the connection to where food comes from. For her ideal date, Ash would like the guy to take the lead and show or teach her about something they're passionate about.
Contestant #6 Sam Harvey is an ICP Manager for AsureQuality based in Christchurch who describes himself as a sporty farmer who is always on the go. Sam loves the freedom of rural life and is passionate about lessening the disconnection between the rural and urban communities. Sam's idea of a good date would involve activity of some sort - biking, swimming, running or boxing.
Contestant #7 is the Farmlands Wildcard Aleisha Broomfield, a 50/50 sharemilker based in Morrinsville who loves a good banter and is after someone kind and caring who's driven to achieve and values family. Aleisha is passionate about showing the positives of the farming industry and her ideal date would be something fun outdoors followed by a cold beer.
Contestant #8 Trent Hill is a Senior Shepherd based in Taupo who describes himself as a typical kiwi bloke who enjoys hunting, fishing and sheep and beef farming. Trent's after someone he can have a laugh with and his ideal date would involve something casual like a few beers at the pub.
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