Looking to gain practical agricultural experience with a big adventure thrown in?
Every year, NFYFC (in partnership with C Alma Baker Trust) sponsor two YFC members to take the trip of a lifetime — a six-month working placement at Limestone Downs, an extensive sheep, cattle and dairy farm on New Zealand’s North Island, 90 minutes from Auckland.
Age to Participate: 20-28 (must be 20 on 1 Sep 2026) when applying
Places Available: 2
When: July - December 2027 and then January to June 2028
Duration: 6 months working, 1 month sightseeing
Essentials: It is essential that all applicants hold an ATV Certificate and a full, clean car licence (a car is provided).
Cost to Member: £65 participation fee, £30 refundable multimedia presentation deposit and social expenditure. This trip is sponsored by C Alma Baker Trust and their support covers flights, Visa and insurance. As a working holiday, you will be paid as a member of the workforce (including use of a car) whilst in New Zealand.
Applications: via JotForm – closing date 30th October 2026
Interviews: Saturday 28 November at the YFC Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. For those wishing to apply please note you will need to attend the face to face interviews.
Limestone Downs is a beautiful 3,220 ha beef, sheep and dairy farm on the west coast in the North Island of New Zealand 15Km south of Port Waikato. You will spend six months working as part of the six strong team at the farm, as well as having up to 3 months of free time at the end of the trip to explore this beautiful country.
All applicants for this trip will need to have practical experience of working with livestock, have experience of cooking and living by yourself and be prepared for some hard graft. The 1,800ha effective sheep & beef farm consists of 7,500 sheep and 1,200 beef cattle (mostly Angus). The 340ha dairy, with 170ha support block, milks 700 cows with progeny kept and grown on. There is plenty to keep you busy!
It is essential that all applicants hold an ATV Certificate and a full, clean car licence (a car is provided).
This working scholarship is kindly sponsored by the C Alma Baker Trust.
