Grant offers a helping hand into agriculture

As the application deadline approaches for the Masterton District Council’s [MDC] Peter Laing Memorial Trust Grant, last year’s recipient has told the Times-Age that the grant has lent a helping hand in getting him started in farming – a career he always knew he wanted to do.

Charlie Heard currently works as a shepherd on Surreydale Station – a 2000 hectare farm with roughly 8500 ewes, situated just outside Pahiatua.

Thanks to receiving the grant last year, the 19-year-old was able to buy Oak, who is now his senior working dog.

“Oak was partly broken in and, with a bit more time spent on her, she has been a real help with the young team I’ve got. It gives me more confidence working with younger dogs, knowing I have Oak to fix their mistakes.

“I would really recommend people getting into the industry to consider applying for a Peter Laing grant. It is not difficult to apply, and it can make a real difference.”

Laing – who was educated at Fernridge Primary School and Wairarapa College – developed a passion for farming at a young age, later moving to Feilding Agricultural High School in 1946, where he took on a new division of the Young Farmers Club.

Laing spent a lot of his time working on several large Wairarapa stations. In 1952, he moved to Castlepoint and became head shepherd and later manager of Castlepoint Station until he handed in his red bands for retirement.

Laing was also chairman of the Castlepoint School Committee for 24 years, involved in the Castlepoint Racing Club for 50 years, was an integral part of the Castlepoint Golf Club, encouraged the formation of the local rural Fire Brigade, was one of the people behind the establishment of the Castlepoint Pony Club, and served as a warranted officer for the Department of Conservation.

In order to be considered for the grant, recipients must be a Wairarapa resident or have strong ties to the region, be passionate about pastoral farming with a planned career path, and have an enthusiasm to learn more about the farming sector.

Applications for the 2024 Peter Laing Trust Grant close in just under a month, at 4pm on November 10.

The grant can help those wanting to undertake practical training, such as a cadet scheme, study at certificate or diploma level, or buy specialist equipment, like a saddle or working dogs, if they’re starting their first job in agriculture.

• Application forms are available on the MDC website, the MDC offices at 161 Queen St and 27 Lincoln Rd, and Masterton District Library at 54 Queen St.
• Questions regarding grants can be sent to [email protected].