From Growing Future Farmers:
Shaping the Next Generation on the High-Country Front Line
Nestled in the rugged beauty of the Awatere Valley, Muller Station spans a vast and challenging high-country landscape. For owners Mary and Steve Satterthwaite, running a premier pastoral lease operation is only part of their daily commitment to New Zealand agriculture. For the past five years, they have also dedicated their time to cultivating the industry's most valuable asset: its young people.
Through Growing Future Farmers (GFF)—a nationwide initiative placing farming students across more than 100 properties—the Growing Future Farmers programme provides a unique blend of on-farm living, practical coaching, and NZQA-accredited study. The programme offers a crucial pathway for young kiwis, especially those from non-farming backgrounds, to gain a solid foothold in the sector.
"We feel a strong responsibility to support the industry and foster the development of the next generation," Steve explains. "GFF is open to all young New Zealanders, giving everyone a fair chance to build a life in agriculture." This is something that is recognised by the Satterthwaite’s Silver Fern Farms Agent, Jack Frizzell, who said “I have worked alongside Mary and Steve for the last 20 years and seen many of the Growing Future Farmers students who have been placed with them. Mary & Steve have a great work ethic, loyalty and values and the GFF students leave Muller Station with the knowledge and respect to make them valuable and trustworthy additions to the farms they go on to work for.”
Hosting students in an environment as demanding as Muller Station requires a unique approach to mentorship. Over their half-decade with the programme, Mary and Steve have seen firsthand the transformation that occurs when young people are given the right combination of trust, structure, and patience.
"The students often come to us quite green, but when they leave, they are confident and ready to tackle the realities of farming life as future leaders of our industry," says Mary.
That patient mentorship has yielded great results, including the South Island’s top GFF student in previous years. But for them, the real reward isn't just the accolades—it is the enduring relationships built along the way. "Seeing the students be successful and rewarded for their hard work is incredibly fulfilling. Many stay in touch long after they leave the station, and it’s amazing to follow their careers as they progress into leadership roles. The GFF model creates highly employable people who have real-world experience, so they are often very sought after by farmers as they leave the programme.”
It’s not always easy however. Muller Station’s remote location isn’t for everyone, and successful students are those that bring a positive mindset, willingness to learn and work and integrate themselves into the team. Steve said “farming is rewarding but can be tough and students who do well on the programme and in their careers are those that have a great attitude, are willing to learn from the team, and show up even on the hard days.”
The experience has also driven personal growth for the trainers themselves. "It's hard out there for young ones today compared to when we started," Steve reflects. "Being a trainer has taught me to be patient and to really learn empathy for this generation."
The Satterthwaites' commitment to the future of farming isn’t limited to it young people however; it is closely mirrored by their dedication to environmental and community governance. When they aren't working the station or mentoring cadets, both Mary and Steve pour their time into regional preservation. Steve serves as a Trustee for the High Country Accord, advocating for the sustainability of South Island pastoral leases and is also a trustee for the South Marlborough Restoration Trust, driving critical initiatives to combat wilding pine invasions and managing local conservation calendars.
By balancing large-scale land restoration with grassroots youth development, Mary and Steve Satterthwaite aren't just farming for today—they are actively securing the future of New Zealand’s high country through their partnership with Growing Future Farmers.
If you are interested in supporting the future of the industry through the development of its next generation, support Growing Future Farmers as a Farm Trainer. You can register your interest on the Growing Future Farmers website: https://www.growingfuturefarmers.co.nz/farm-trainers
