Getting into your first farm
With a great plan, solid foundations and hard work
The Challenge
Let's be honest, farm ownership isn't what it used to be.
With the price of land rising, and the traditional land based returns a little more challenging, family farms are facing some difficult decisions around farm succession, planning and getting the right result for everyone.
There are some who decide to sell and realise the fruits of their hard work, others who are in the position to help their kids.
And what if you don't have a farm in your family?
Equity building is difficult.
But it is possible if you invest wisely and are smart about using your skills and make the most of your situation.
So, what does farm ownership look like for the next generation?
Different - but still achievable
My First Farm
Filling a gap for ambitious, hands-on Kiwis who want to transition from “working in ag” to owning productive land without the traditional family hand-up.
Owning land isn’t just about inheritance - it’s now about initiative
My First Farm helps you design a pathway to ownership, one smart step at a time.
Whether you’re shearing, contracting, managing, or advising - you already have skills, connections, and know-how that can become your unfair advantage
My First Farm is for the doers - the people working in or around ag who dream of owning land and bringing up their families in a rural setting
Rural professionals (agronomists, bankers, consultants)
Farm managers, shearers, contractors, fencers, and mechanics
People who grew up on farms but didn’t inherit one
Anyone who wants to turn sweat equity and smart investing into land ownership
The Course
The path to ownership starts with building equity - through investments, side businesses, or partnerships.
My First Farm combines practical investment tools from My Investments with real-world rural insight from the Rural Land Project Team.
Farm ownership starts with a plan
Join the waitlist for My First Farm and be the first to access tools, events, and insights designed for the next generation of landowners
The Workbook
Ready to take the first step towards owning your own farm or rural enterprise?
The My First Farm Map Workbook is a practical and inspiring digital guide designed to help you build clarity, confidence, and a personalised roadmap towards farm ownership.
This self-paced workbook helps you:
Define what “wealth” and success truly look like for you
Align your financial decisions to your values and lifestyle goals
Take stock of where you are today – financially and non-financially
Identify your skills, strengths, network, and opportunities to leverage
Map out your pathway to entering the rural or farming space
Set clear 6–12 month actions to move forward with confidence
Whether your dream is to own land, invest in a farming business, or build an income pathway into agriculture, this workbook gives you the structure, reflection prompts, and planning tools to get started.
Young or aspiring farmers
Rural professionals
Anyone wanting to build a life connected to the land
Those who feel unsure where to begin — but know they want this life
What’s included:
30+ page fillable PDF workbook
Guided reflection & planning exercises
Financial and non-financial clarity tools
Action plan templates to set your next steps
Take the first step in your farm ownership journey - your map starts here