Our People

Aaron joined the Farm Sustainability Services team in November 2019 to follow his passion in Farm Sustainability. He moved to this role following 11 years as a Key Accounts Representative for Ballance, covering the Waikato and King Country Regions. Prior to that he had worked as a Nutrient Specialist for Ballance in the North Waikato and King Country areas.

Aaron grew up on the family dairy farm in the King Country. He went on to achieve an Honours degree in Agricultural Science at Lincoln University, and furthered his practical education by working on both dairy and sheep and beef farms. In 2015 completed his certification to become certified as a Nutrient Management Adviser. And has since also completed Soil Conservation and Green House Gases courses at Massey University. Aaron is also certified with the Waikato Region Council as a Certified Farm Nutrient Advisor (CFNA).

The opportunity to get out and meet a variety of farmers is one aspect of the job that Aaron really enjoys. He also gets satisfaction from working with his farming customers to make a positive and sustainable change for their farming business.

When he's not working, Aaron likes to indulge in some fishing and spend time with his family.

Carolien is a Senior Farm Sustainability Specialist based in the Waikato region.

Starting with Ballance in 2006 she joined us as a Nutrient Specialist, both in the Hauraki Plains/Coromandel/Waihi and more recently was based in Huntly.

Carolien is passionate about the agriculture industry and has been involved in judging the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for 5 years. She provides a wealth of knowledge on whole farm nutrient management - complemented by a Bachelor of Applied Science and is a Certified Nutrient Management Advisor. Carolien can provide tailored advice that promotes sustainable practices on farm while meeting the needs of industry certification, regulatory compliance or application for resource content. 

In her spare time Carolien enjoys spending time with her young family, friends, gardening and in the outdoors

Kate joined the Farm Sustainability Services team in June 2019, based in the South Island.

Born and bred in Mid Canterbury on an irrigated mixed sheep and cropping farm, Kate then went on to Lincoln University completing a Bachelor of Commerce & Management. 

Together with her husband and two children, they farm a 650cow dairy farm in an equity partnership near Hinds. This has given her first-hand experience at dealing with environmental compliance as their farming operation falls under a Land Use to Farm consent and are required to make Nitrogen reductions. Kate enjoys being able to help farmers through this space to achieve the best possible outcomes for their business.   

In her spare time, when not helping on the farm Kate enjoys horse riding, squash, water sports and spending time with friends and family. 

Nicole joined the Farm Sustainability Service team in January 2020, working from our Morrinsville Service Centre.

She gained a Bachelor of Science from Massey University in 2017, with a focus on both animal science and biological sciences. Prior to joining Ballance her work has been predominantly in the dairy industry, covering the sustainability, food safety and quality spaces. Nicole also has practical experience in the industry spending her downtime from university on dairy farms and, as a Cambridge local, has spent considerable time on thoroughbred stud farms.

Sustainability is an area of high importance to the future of New Zealand agriculture, and Nicole feels privileged to be able to assist farmers in navigating this complex topic.

Molly joined the Farm Sustainability Services Team in January 2022, based in Patoka, Hawkes Bay. Prior to Ballance, Molly worked in the public sector as a rural compliance officer monitoring resource consents on pastural farming properties. Here, she gained significant knowledge and experience in understanding how regional and national policies impacts the farming sector. Molly is committed to helping farmers navigate the regulation while improving the sustainability of the primary sector as a whole. Molly is able to relate directly to the challenges of the industry, living on a self-contained dairy unit with an adjacent sheep and beef drystock block. Molly is especially passionate about sheep farming where their black face terminal sire stud keeps her busy throughout the week.

George joined the Farm Sustainability team in July 2022 and is based out of our corporate Mount Maunganui office. Having gained a Bachelor of Horticultural Science in 2021, he went into full time trapping and pest control in the Turitea Reserve, located north of the Manawatu Gorge in the Tararua Range. His passion for sustainability was ignited in this role and coupled with his drive for supporting the primary industries, the Farm Sustainability Services team at Ballance was the perfect fit for him.

George is passionate about helping optimise farm systems, provide regulatory advice and create sustainable solutions to manage farm risk. He has a particular interest in horticulture and helping growers to navigate the ever-shifting regulatory space and refine their growing systems to be as productive and renewable as possible. In his spare time, George enjoys mountain biking in the redwoods, early morning climbs up the Mount with his flatmates and time with family and friends.

Kieran joined the Farm Sustainability Service team in July 2022, based out of our Awarua office.
 
He gained a Bachelor of Science majoring in Geology from the University of Canterbury in 2013 and went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Science (endorsed in Environmental Science) in 2014. Upon graduating Kieran spent several years working as a planning consultant in Southland, assisting farmers in obtaining Resource Consents. 
 
Outside of work Kieran enjoys playing Rugby and Squash, following horse racing and spending time with his young family.

Ella joined the Farm Sustainability Services team in November 2022, based in Southland.

She gained a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Lincoln University in 2022, covering all aspects of farm management, environmental and financial knowledge. Growing up on a dairy farm in Southland she has built a good understanding of the dairy industry, which has been complemented by practical experience on various sheep and beef farms. She is passionate about the agricultural industry and enjoys working alongside farmers to help them manage all their environmental compliance demands. Outside of work Ella enjoys tramping, playing sport, boating and spending time with family and friends.