Olivia Weatherburn, Board Appointed Director

Based in Southland, New Zealand Olivia wears many hats as a farmer, rural professional and all-round advocate for the rural sector and its people.

Brought up on sheep and beef operations across Otago and Southland she studied a Diploma Agriculture, Farm Management and Applied Science at Lincoln University. Following a stint in sales across the fertiliser industry, Olivia has been with Beef + Lamb New Zealand since 2015 in the extension team and is currently the National Extension Programme Manager ensuring that extension programmes are fit for purpose for farmers across New Zealand.

Olivia specialises in facilitation and programme development and has grown a toolbox of extension delivery experiences along with a well-developed networks and strong relationships across the food and fibre sector, bring extensive farm system knowledge and understanding from a New Zealand perspective.

Being driven to motivate and promote farming good practises, bringing both confidence, empathy, and a different perspective to conversations. Having lived and breathed the red meat sector and the supporting industries around it for her whole career. The next generation of growers & farmers excite her and she is committed to inputting and growing connections.

Olivia recently became the associate trustee on the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust board and with 17 years involvement in New Zealand Young farmers provides governance and advisory support.

In 2022 Olivia was a finalist of the Zanda McDonald Award and in 2023 was awarded the APEN Amabel Fulton Award for Excellence in Extension by a Young Professional.

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