Chloe Jones on The Future of Farming: Careers, Leadership & Opportunity

Agriculture is one of New Zealand's largest industries, yet many young people have little idea of the incredible career opportunities it offers.

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Chloe Jones - Operations Manager at Fonterra Farms, former National Chair of New Zealand Young Farmers, and a passionate advocate for the future of the food and fibre sector.

Chloe shares her journey from a high school student unsure of what career to pursue, to studying Agricultural Science at Massey University, moving across the country for Fonterra's graduate programme, and building a career that combines leadership, strategy, business and farming.

Along the way, we discuss the realities of university, scholarships, graduate programmes, leadership in your twenties, why communication is one of the most valuable skills you can develop, and how saying "yes" to opportunities helped shape her career.

We also explore the incredible diversity within agriculture today - from science, technology and sustainability to business, operations and farm management - and why you don't need to grow up on a farm to find your place in the industry.

Whether you're considering university, looking for career inspiration, interested in agriculture, or simply trying to figure out your next step after school, Chloe offers thoughtful, practical advice that will leave you feeling encouraged about the opportunities ahead.

This conversation is a reminder that careers rarely follow a straight line - and sometimes keeping an open mind leads to opportunities you never imagined.