With so many events cancelled in 2020 because of Covid-19, Waimakariri Young Farmer’s Club chairman Chris Watts was looking forward to catching up with members.
"[Covid-19] did stun our club a bit, as people weren’t turning up to meetings. Too many people were staying at home thinking about the wrong things.
"In a way, it’s lucky for us in farming, as it didn’t really affect us as much. But for young people, we couldn’t see our friends."
A busy rural contractor, Mr Watts looked forward to attending club events.
"I’m seven days on call, all day every day, so Young Farmers is something I make an effort to get along to.
"There’s people I want to see and the job isn’t that important that I can’t have time to myself."
The club had its first meeting for the year last month and hoped to get back to hosting a young farmers’ ball, having some trips away and supporting local community events.
Members were keen to get back to hosting monthly "funtivities", beginning with a night at the races last month.
"Hopefully, we will do a West Coast trip and a North Island trip for the National Fieldays, if it doesn’t get cancelled," Mr Watts said.
A new social activity the club will trial this year is trying out different businesses for a meal and a catch-up.
A young farmers’ ball was hosted by the club two years ago, but had to be cancelled last year because of Covid-19.
"We’re hoping to run a ball in April and we want to get at least 100 people. It’s a fun night out and young farmers’ balls used to happen all the time."
The Pendarves YFC in Mid-Canterbury hosted an annual "after harvest ball", while the Dunsandel club has held one in recent years, "so hopefully we can have a bit of a ball season".
The club also planned to support community events such as the Swannanoa Fair and the Oxford and Rangiora A&P Shows.
