#2 Mark Polson, sheep and beef farmer, Whanganui

Fifth-generation farmer and Beef+ Lamb New Zealand associate director Mark Polson and wife Lynsey gave up corporate life when the call to carve their own path drew them back to the farm. 

This AgriStar, nominated by FMG area manager Grant Jones, has to keep his finger on the pulse of 4500 hectares, spread across four farms in Whanganui under the Waipuna Farms portfolio.  

While their three-year-old and a four-month-old, Fred and Henry, gets us out of bed most mornings, Polson says on the farm, the drive to get going is all encompassing.

“I enjoy being a custodian of animals and the land. Then there’s the drive to support our great team and see them thrive. Farming is not easy but loving what I do gives me purpose.”