Kate graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Science (Animal science and plant science) at the end of 2014 and joined Ravensdown as a Technical Representative on the Ravensdown Graduate Scheme in January 2015.
Kate spent seven months on the Scheme learning about Ravensdown’s products and systems, and the skills required to move into a field role.
The best thing about the Scheme is the friends you make and having the time to discover what you want to do within the company without having to commit to a role upfront. Looking back, going straight into a role from Uni could have been quite overwhelming. There is still a lot to learn once you’re out!
“There is still a perception out there of being a fertiliser company, but Ravensdown really covers all the agricultural bases including fert, seed, agchem, supply chain management and environmental issues along with the usual business aspects like IT, marketing and finance. There are opportunities everywhere and for grads, it is a really good first step in the door to get to work for a well-known, reputable company.”
Tony Gray
Works Manager
Tony Gray
Tony started with Ravensdown in 1999 as a Field Officer in the Nelson and Golden Bay area, responsible for a diverse mix of both agricultural and horticulture shareholders. After about two and a half years, Tony moved to Napier to take up the position of ARL Manager. After almost four years, in 2006 Tony decided it was time to return back to his home town of Dunedin and he took up a role as an Agri Business Manager outside of Ravensdown, but maintained contact with former colleagues. Essentially, through those connections, Tony returned to Ravensdown at the beginning of 2010 as a Sales Manager for the Lower South Island team and most recently took up the position of Works Manager in Ravensbourne.
Tony has always had a keen interest in the primary industries.
I really enjoy getting out and about and mixing with a wide variety of shareholders, across a range of farm systems and operations. I find it very rewarding being able to assist farmers achieve their goals, whether it be to increase their profitability or in other ways to help improve their business.
After leaving secondary school and completing a practical year, Tony enrolled at Lincoln University where he completed a Horticultural Science degree. Tony highly rates Ravensdown in its ability and commitment to invest in individuals training and development, to help them achieve their best both personally and professionally, for the benefit of the cooperative.
“What I enjoy most about working for the cooperative is the people – both at the site, across the cooperatives business units, in the community and on farm. In any one day I come across a huge variety of situations in which to interact and engage positively with. I really enjoy seeing our talented people come up with innovative, cost efficient and timely solutions to operational challenges! With a great bunch of colleagues at Ravensbourne, it is made easier to focus on the strategic decisions and longer term thinking, for the best of the site and cooperative”.
Marlane Harmer
Maintenance Fitter
Marlane Harmer
I love coming to work. Every day is different, every challenge is new. And all of it is exciting.
As a Maintenance Fitter at Ravensdown’s Napier plant, I’m made to feel an integral part of the team and my views and opinions are really valued.
It’s very easy working with a group of people who I would almost call my family.
There are always new challenges so I’m constantly learning about all the different facets of Ravensdown. During my time with the company, I’ve spent time soil testing on my family farm to grow my agriculture and fertilizer knowledge. This has really helped me to appreciate the importance of my role and how I fit into the wider company.
The great thing about Ravensdown is that they gave me a chance. They saw something in me and took me on as an apprentice mechanical engineer three years ago. I graduated at the end of 2017 and I’m loving my new role.
Taylor McHugh
Senior Agri Manager
Taylor McHugh
Originally a Soil Tester, now Ravensdown Senior Agri Manager, had gone through inaugural Ravensdown Development Programme in 2015.
“I was studying a bachelor’s degree in Agri Commerce with a major in farm management. One day I went out on farm visits with Julie Roberts, the Agri Manager who was looking after my parents’ farm at the time, to see what the job was like.” Taylor says. “I thought it’d be great to work outdoors and have variety in my workday where I could build relationships with farmers and others in the agricultural industry.
Taylor explains that her initial perception of Ravensdown was a really good company to work for and now she says she loves the role and the opportunity it gives her to help farmers achieve their goals.
“I get the opportunity to contribute to shareholders businesses and support them in achieving their goals on farm. Whether that’s improving their productivity, profitability or environmental footprint. We get a lot of opportunities to learn so much in return from our shareholders too – it’s a privilege to be a part of their team.”
The most rewarding aspect of Taylor’s role in the South Waikato is the ability to deliver solutions and results that work towards the bigger picture.
“I am making a positive difference by giving holistic advice to my farmers. This comes from understanding their situation before giving advice, such as their farm system, financial, environmental, social factors and goals. When you understand their overall goal, you can use the most appropriate technology and advice to enable them to farm smarter in their context. It’s about personalising solutions to the individual’s situation.”
Taylor says one of the most rewarding impacts she has had is with Whole Farm Soil Testing to get better productivity and environmental results.
“It’s been great to see refinement in soil fertility as a result of the technology and advice. I’m in my third year of the Whole Farm Soil Testing program with Mataora Dairy Ltd, which had initially identified some specific areas with lower sulphur that have now been addressed with variable rate spreading.”
If asked what she’d say to anyone considering an agri manager role or the Development Programme at Ravensdown Taylor says they’d be working for the best.
“The 360-degree training you receive in the graduate programme along with the personal development is one of the best out there. Every day is different, and we get to use some of the best programmes and technology in the world to enable farmers to make the best decisions on farm. If you’re looking for a job where the company is focused on people and relationships, then this is the right choice for you.”
Kate Higgins
Sales Development Lead
Kate graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Science (Animal science and plant science) at the end of 2014 and joined Ravensdown as a Technical Representative on the Ravensdown Graduate Scheme in January 2015.
Kate spent seven months on the Scheme learning about Ravensdown’s products and systems, and the skills required to move into a field role.
The best thing about the Scheme is the friends you make and having the time to discover what you want to do within the company without having to commit to a role upfront. Looking back, going straight into a role from Uni could have been quite overwhelming. There is still a lot to learn once you’re out!
“There is still a perception out there of being a fertiliser company, but Ravensdown really covers all the agricultural bases including fert, seed, agchem, supply chain management and environmental issues along with the usual business aspects like IT, marketing and finance. There are opportunities everywhere and for grads, it is a really good first step in the door to get to work for a well-known, reputable company.”
Tony Gray
Works Manager
Tony started with Ravensdown in 1999 as a Field Officer in the Nelson and Golden Bay area, responsible for a diverse mix of both agricultural and horticulture shareholders. After about two and a half years, Tony moved to Napier to take up the position of ARL Manager. After almost four years, in 2006 Tony decided it was time to return back to his home town of Dunedin and he took up a role as an Agri Business Manager outside of Ravensdown, but maintained contact with former colleagues. Essentially, through those connections, Tony returned to Ravensdown at the beginning of 2010 as a Sales Manager for the Lower South Island team and most recently took up the position of Works Manager in Ravensbourne.
Tony has always had a keen interest in the primary industries.
I really enjoy getting out and about and mixing with a wide variety of shareholders, across a range of farm systems and operations. I find it very rewarding being able to assist farmers achieve their goals, whether it be to increase their profitability or in other ways to help improve their business.
After leaving secondary school and completing a practical year, Tony enrolled at Lincoln University where he completed a Horticultural Science degree. Tony highly rates Ravensdown in its ability and commitment to invest in individuals training and development, to help them achieve their best both personally and professionally, for the benefit of the cooperative.
“What I enjoy most about working for the cooperative is the people – both at the site, across the cooperatives business units, in the community and on farm. In any one day I come across a huge variety of situations in which to interact and engage positively with. I really enjoy seeing our talented people come up with innovative, cost efficient and timely solutions to operational challenges! With a great bunch of colleagues at Ravensbourne, it is made easier to focus on the strategic decisions and longer term thinking, for the best of the site and cooperative”.
Marlane Harmer
Maintenance Fitter
I love coming to work. Every day is different, every challenge is new. And all of it is exciting.
As a Maintenance Fitter at Ravensdown’s Napier plant, I’m made to feel an integral part of the team and my views and opinions are really valued.
It’s very easy working with a group of people who I would almost call my family.
There are always new challenges so I’m constantly learning about all the different facets of Ravensdown. During my time with the company, I’ve spent time soil testing on my family farm to grow my agriculture and fertilizer knowledge. This has really helped me to appreciate the importance of my role and how I fit into the wider company.
The great thing about Ravensdown is that they gave me a chance. They saw something in me and took me on as an apprentice mechanical engineer three years ago. I graduated at the end of 2017 and I’m loving my new role.
Taylor McHugh
Senior Agri Manager
Originally a Soil Tester, now Ravensdown Senior Agri Manager, had gone through inaugural Ravensdown Development Programme in 2015.
“I was studying a bachelor’s degree in Agri Commerce with a major in farm management. One day I went out on farm visits with Julie Roberts, the Agri Manager who was looking after my parents’ farm at the time, to see what the job was like.” Taylor says. “I thought it’d be great to work outdoors and have variety in my workday where I could build relationships with farmers and others in the agricultural industry.
Taylor explains that her initial perception of Ravensdown was a really good company to work for and now she says she loves the role and the opportunity it gives her to help farmers achieve their goals.
“I get the opportunity to contribute to shareholders businesses and support them in achieving their goals on farm. Whether that’s improving their productivity, profitability or environmental footprint. We get a lot of opportunities to learn so much in return from our shareholders too – it’s a privilege to be a part of their team.”
The most rewarding aspect of Taylor’s role in the South Waikato is the ability to deliver solutions and results that work towards the bigger picture.
“I am making a positive difference by giving holistic advice to my farmers. This comes from understanding their situation before giving advice, such as their farm system, financial, environmental, social factors and goals. When you understand their overall goal, you can use the most appropriate technology and advice to enable them to farm smarter in their context. It’s about personalising solutions to the individual’s situation.”
Taylor says one of the most rewarding impacts she has had is with Whole Farm Soil Testing to get better productivity and environmental results.
“It’s been great to see refinement in soil fertility as a result of the technology and advice. I’m in my third year of the Whole Farm Soil Testing program with Mataora Dairy Ltd, which had initially identified some specific areas with lower sulphur that have now been addressed with variable rate spreading.”
If asked what she’d say to anyone considering an agri manager role or the Development Programme at Ravensdown Taylor says they’d be working for the best.
“The 360-degree training you receive in the graduate programme along with the personal development is one of the best out there. Every day is different, and we get to use some of the best programmes and technology in the world to enable farmers to make the best decisions on farm. If you’re looking for a job where the company is focused on people and relationships, then this is the right choice for you.”
