Jayda Prue has conquered fears and physical challenges to become a top agricultural student at Telford.
Timaru born-and-raised Jayda surprised her parents with her career choice. “Mum’s an early childhood teacher and Dad’s a builder… They were completely shocked when I said I wanted to go farming.”
When Jayda left school early in Year 13 to find work, she already knew she didn’t want a 9-to-5 job indoors. “I… needed to be doing something outdoors and hands-on.” Finding a job calf rearing, she thoroughly loved it, then landed a role on a crop and dry livestock block at St Andrews, working there a year-and-a-half before her move south to Telford. “It was definitely worth it, knowing some of the basics - how to drive a tractor and a bit of fencing.”
Jayda’s manager at her St Andrew’s job trained at Telford, as had his son, and advised Jayda to try it out. Coming down to a Telford Taster Camp sealed the deal. “[I] loved it,” she said, making instant friends with other girls who would choose Telford.
Enrolling in the New Zealand Certificate in Farming Systems for 2024, Jayda thrived in Telford’s caring environment. “The tutors are so supportive; they’ll help you through anything.” In fact, Jayda reckons “what you struggled on, you’ll end up having as a strength...” and points to her Shearing experience which was tackled early in the programme. Jayda admits to feeling nervous and a bit overwhelmed. “We’d only been at Telford about three weeks… I’m 5 foot 1”. She thought “how am I going to shear these sheep?” However, she needn’t have worried. “There was constant reassurance,” from tutors; “they’re constantly present as well…” What was initially intimidating became a strength; Jayda participated in the Clean Shear competition and was awarded the prize for best shearing in her programme. “I loved the repetition and getting out there and doing it.”
Jayda explained tutors cultivate an environment where mistakes are treated as part of the learning process; students are encouraged to move on from them positively and the class is taught to back their peers. “… you’re treated as an adult. They don’t baby you. You’re treated fairly … they have high expectations.”
The course structure of half practical work and half theory was a win as well. Jayda loved that sheep dogs are welcome on campus. Starting the year with a four-month-old pup, by the year’s end, she was participating in dog trials. And some credit goes to Jayda’s Dad, who taught her handy skills; she built a dog kennel and won a prize for that too.
Jayda acknowledges her self-assurance has improved. “Before I was reserved, quite quiet, not very confident in my work.” Back at her St Andrews job for the summer holidays, “My boss has noticed how much I’ve grown. He trusts me, he’s seen my growth; he has confidence in my work.”
On the tractor over the summer, Jayda has had time to think about returning to study the Massey Diploma in Agriculture programme, which Telford delivers. “I thought I’d just do farming systems [but] I’m heading back … to do the DipAg. There’s a whole group going back…”
“At this stage I want to go shepherding …” while further into the future, her interests include agricultural banking, financial advising, or perhaps a stock agent’s role. Most importantly, Jayda has no regrets. “I was terrified about going down but it’s so worth it… Telford becomes a second home.”
Of the 16 prizes for the 2024 Farming Systems class, Jayda was awarded 6: Terence Giller Memorial cup for Practical Agriculture Telford Farm board of management practical award – Best practical student; Stewart prize for excellence in project work – Best for workshop, dog kennel project; Howard Ericksen Cup for Shearing – Best shearing in programme; PM Packard Wool trophy – Practical and theory work; Maurice Hamilton Agronomy Award for Best Pasture Diary; William Telford memorial challenge cup for Highest Aggregate of Marks in Farming Systems – Best overall Agriculture student.