Supporting shareholders key for new environmental coordinator
New WIL environmental coordinator Fern McIldowie is looking forward to working directly with shareholders to support them with achieving their environmental goals.
The latest addition to WIL’s team, environmental coordinator, Fern McIIdowie is keen to get out on farm to meet with shareholders and understand more about their farming systems.
During her first few weeks on the job, Fern has already met several shareholders and is discovering the challenges and opportunities facing Waimakariri farmers. She is also learning more about the consents, regulations and policies that apply to WIL’s shareholders, along with the biodiversity project that is running throughout the irrigation scheme.
“For me, being able to work directly with farmers is rewarding. I chose this role because it allows me to be involved with different aspects of environmental and freshwater management, while being able to provide support to shareholders.
“Farmers are under an enormous amount of pressure at the moment and if I can support them in some way, I will find that hugely satisfying.”
Fern hails from a sheep and beef station near Gisborne which has been in her family for five generations. She loves helping on the farm whenever she is at home and spent a few years working on the farm after graduating from Otago University with a BSC in Ecology and Environmental Management.
After gaining her intermediate sustainable nutrient certification, Fern spent one year working as a territory manager for the Hatuma Group which is a lime and di-calcic fertiliser company. Her role involved assisting farmers with their sustainable nutrient requirements, while mitigating environmental impacts.
Fern then headed overseas after being offered an opportunity to play polo full time which took her to Australia and America. She is currently a member of the New Zealand women’s polo team.
“We recently played two test matches against Australia and won both matches. We are returning to Brisbane in a couple of weeks to play them again so hopefully we carry on our winning streak.”
When Fern isn’t playing polo, she is involved in running a polo breeding operation on her family’s farm in Gisborne and working on the small block that her partner share farms in North Canterbury.
“The breed dates back over 110 years to the original mares that were used on the station, so it is important for me to keep that going. My partner and I start and train those ponies.
“I also enjoy helping out on my partner’s small block and going for a run or riding on the farm or at the beach with friends.”
