It's 6pm on a winter night in the Maniototo and Becks Smith is putting up a break-fence.
In a busy life, it is a good reminder of why she was doing what she was doing in the first place. For she wears a few hats: a mother of three, a farmer, a part-time veterinarian, former Zanda McDonald Award finalist and a holistic sustainability advocate.
It was the latter which led to her launching a podcast series "The Whole Story". The aim was to combine both inspirational and practical messages to drive holistic sustainability across New Zealand agriculture.
In nominating Becks and her husband, Jason, their nominator said they were "frankly blown away by the commitment this family business shows to a better world for all".
"All members of the family have demonstrated leadership through pride, community and farming practices. But, as a family, they have taken it a step further. "The Whole Story" is leading change courageously and considerately.
"All of this at the same time as raising a family of three children. In each aspect of their lives, this farming family works together, works for a better world and works hard. They embody the spirit of farming and wear the cloak of responsibility well."
Becks’ own "why" was very clear — to inspire sustainable change from the ground up. When it came to their farming business — they farm sheep, beef and deer on a 700ha property — it was about working hard, investing within their capability "and leave everything we touch better as a result of it".
While Jason came from a multi-generational farming family, Becks did not; her childhood was spent "in an adventure" in Papua New Guinea where there were parallels with her own young children’s rural upbringing.
As she got older, she realised how much of that background, including the connection to an indigenous culture, an appreciation of developing countries, and of opportunities and hardship, informed who she was now.
Becks describes their life as "organised chaos".
"It’s real. We’re quite relaxed, adaptable people. We’re very present. There’s no real routine or schedule or structure to it but we’re pretty clear on our priorities and know where the need is and make sure we keep our values front of mind."
For them, farming and family were very intertwined.
"[Jason] is always working but he’s doing it for our family not just for our family today but our family for the future and our children’s future. It’s worth a little bit of sacrifice and hard work because it has long-lasting effects," she said.
Authenticity was important to them — "we’re not shiny farmers, we haven’t got everything nailed. I’m still an amateur. I didn’t come from a farming background. Jason had to teach me everything. I’ve come so far, learning all those silly little things farmers take for granted. I find that really satisfying."
"The Whole Story" recently received funding through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ integrated farm planning accelerator fund which was investing in initiatives that helped farmers, growers and whenua Maori owners adopt an integrated approach to their farm planning.
What Becks particularly loved was working with farmers, as a farmer, to find solutions to help solve the sector’s problems.
Away from work, Becks coaches the youngest-grade hockey team in the area while Jason helps out with Rippa rugby.
"We’re very well balanced. He’s the calm to my crazy. He’s very level — so laid-back he’s almost horizontal."
— Sally Rae
