Rod McPherson died in an accident at Nukuhou, Whakatane west, in early March 2022, not long after taking on a new role driving fertiliser trucks. A job he loved and one that still allowed him to have daily contact with farmers in the region. Rod will always be remembered for being a 100% man... he gave his all to whatever he became involved in: rugby, school board administration, fundraising & events for the local rural school, dirt bike racing, cycling, community events and was so totally committed to dairy farming.
His first foray into farming came through working in the school holidays on his uncles farm ( Fraser McKenzie) in Ngakuru, west of Rotorua. It was this work experience that helped him to make the decison towards a career in agriculture. Rod attended Massey University to study for a Diploma in Agriculture. He managed the #1 and #4 Dairy Units on the Massey demonstration farms. Moving to the Waikato after completing his studies, it wasn't too long before he was shoulder tapped to move to Edgecumbe to the farm of Bryce and Avril Gow for 7 years, followed by 3 years with John and Colleen Cambell in Awakeri, before finally settling as share milkers on the farm of Walter and Alison McFarlane at Thornton, where they remained for 27 years until the farm was sold in 2021.
It was on the Thornton farm that Rod began mentoring agriculture students, and providing on-farm placement for the practical segment of their training. Under his watchful eye, the students learned to administer animal health treatments, fencing, pasture management, vehicle training and all aspects of dairy hygiene. Over the past 10 years Rod has assisted in the success of more than 120 agriculture students who have gone onto farming careers. Rod understood that many of the cadets he had on the farm had come from really tough backgrounds, so there was also a lot of basic life skills involved in the 'on-farm' package, to help mould and shape resilience and improve employer-employee relationships.
Rods generosity often saw the cadets leave the farm with a full set of wet weather gear, gumboots and a bag full of meat from the freezer. He liked to give those with promise a hand up, and would employ them for a season or two and encourage them to move onwards and upwards to the many opportunities that dairying had to offer. His pride apparent, when young prodigy were listed as finalists in the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farm Awards, and in the BOP Dairy Industry Awards, knowing he had had a part to play in their success.
Rod's death has left a huge hole for his family and friends, and as a ''go-to' person in the community. This memorial scholarship will in some small way add meaning to his life, championing and encouraging a new generation of farmers to be educated in their career of choice, as food providers to the nation. As an enduring fund, this scholarship will be awarded annually to a young person from the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Donations to the Rod McPherson Memorial Rural Scholarship Fund can be made at any time. Details on the fund page.