A farming first for New Zealand

25/8/2009

Rob Lawson (1988-92), a rising leader on the Otago farming scene, has become the first New Zealander to attend the Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarship Programme in the three years it has been run.

Rob Lawson

Rob has spent the last fortnight in Sydney investigating one of New Zealand and Australia’s largest supermarket chains as one of 30 participants on the course.

The Woolworth’s programme is run in conjunction with the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales and the University of Western Sydney, and during the two weeks participants heard from senior Woolworth’s staff and external experts, visit stores and distribution networks and complete group and course work.

‘‘The vast majority of Woolworths fresh produce is sourced domestically, so it makes sense for tomorrow’s agricultural leaders to get an insight into what makes a supermarket tick, so those successful partnerships continue long into the future,’’ Woolworth’s supermarket director Greg Foran said.

Rob, who runs a family sheep and cattle farm at Waikouaiti, is a director of meat company Silver Fern Farms, is the Otago chairman of the meat and fibre section of Federated Farmers and is a former captain of the Otago cricket team.

He was nominated for the Woolworth’s programme by Federated Farmers.

Woolworths own Progressive Enterprises, one of New Zealand’s largest supermarket chains.