Collegian Hugh Jackson (Sargood 2012–2016) has been crowned the FMG Young Farmer of the Year 2025, taking out New Zealand’s premier agricultural title after a fiercely contested Grand Final in Invercargill. A dedicated sheep and beef farmer, Hugh’s success comes after years of hard work and a strong foundation laid during his time at St Paul’s Collegiate School.

A finalist once before, Hugh approached this year’s event with determination and purpose. “It was now or never,” he says. “I’m really proud to take out the win this time. It’s a huge honour to represent the next generation of farmers in New Zealand.”

Hugh’s connection to agriculture runs deep. As one of the first students to take part in the Agribusiness in Schools Programme, which launched at St Paul’s in 2014, Hugh helped pioneer what has since become a nationwide success. After leaving school, he completed a Bachelor of AgriCommerce in Farm Management from Massey University and has remained a proud and active member of New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) ever since.

His father, John Jackson, a long-time supporter of the school and current St Paul’s Foundation Chairman, was one of the early champions of the Agribusiness in Schools initiative. Watching his son rise through the ranks has been a point of great pride.

“As a farmer myself, seeing Hugh take up the agricultural pathway and win a nationwide competition is a real thrill,” says John. “The competition includes a major farm project completed six weeks prior to Grand Final week. There are a number of tasks undertaken in the final days of competition, including technical challenges, an HR task, a critique of the major farm project by examiners, and a three-hour written exam. The final day involves a demanding exhibition of practical skills, a prepared speech on a given topic - Hugh’s was whether New Zealand should pursue lab-grown products at the expense of pasture-raised meat. After watching him persevere with the competition for a number of years, seeing him take the win was just brilliant!”

The FMG Young Farmer of the Year is more than a title - it’s a celebration of leadership, innovation, and expertise. The event, which has run since 1969 and is open to NZYF members aged 16 to 31, the competition helps shape some of the most influential figures in rural New Zealand.

This year’s final brought together seven of the best young farmers from across the country, but it was Hugh’s well-rounded skills, calm under pressure, and years of experience that helped him rise above the rest.

Though still early in his career, Hugh has already carved out a place for himself in the future of New Zealand agriculture: one paddock, one challenge, and now one national title at a time.