Dean Rabbidge

Dean was a sheep, beef and dairy farmer from Wyndham, Southland when he won the Zanda McDonald Award in 2016.

He took the opportunity with the award to study farm succession, business growth and business structure, which he found invaluable. Dean and Sarah were eventually able to purchase the property off the family - a process that was assisted with the advice and experiences of the Award network. The sheep and beef business continues to grow.

Dean is passionate about his agricultural responsibilities – not least running the family farm – and found the Award a superb opportunity to talk through any challenges with some of the most knowledgeable producers in the business.

The Southland farmer has already crammed much into his life but he is not ready to relax, intent not only on improving and growing his business but defending what he views as a bad rap that farming is receiving from some quarters.

Dean’s CV includes placing third in the 2014 Grand Final of the Young Farmer of the Year and fifth in 2013. He is former chairman of the National Young Farmers Contest, Federated Farmers Meat and Wool national council member and a member of the Wyndham A&P Association ad more recently a trustee for the Southland Rural Support Trust.

Dean and wife Sarah have three children; Ted, Ida and Ray. Community involvement is a real passion for Rabbidge, and although he has “retired” he still finds his way onto the field at the Wyndham Rugby club where he is now president of the club

“Just knowing that I can contact any one of the mentoring group or alumni to talk through issues gives me a great sense of comfort. I now have a strong support network that will help me unleash my potential, as well as that of my business, realise my ambition of encouraging more young people into agriculture, and help me to promote a positive perception of agriculture across urban areas”