John Dermer, Part 1, early days farming - Manawatu Conversations

Description

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 10th February 2026.
Part 1 of 2. John Dermer grew up on a farm and began farming work in 1963.
 He spent two years at Homewood Station in the Wairarapa.
 He later studied for a sheep farming diploma at Massey University.
 John valued formal agricultural education and lifelong learning.
 He used farm advisors throughout most of his farming career.
 Boarding at Whanganui Collegiate was a positive and formative experience.
 After Massey, he completed a period of compulsory army training.
 His father bought additional farms so both sons could farm.
 John worked steep hill country and undertook major land development.
 Community cooperation was strong in earlier farming districts.
 He eventually took over the Cheltenham family farm in 1974.
 He farmed there for 45 years and raised his family on the land.

Identification

Object type

Audio

Date

February 10, 2026