A 'worthwool' change: from shepherding to tutoring

After growing up on a sheep and beef farm east of Stratford Hannah Slater, WITT’s new agriculture tutor found her passion and set her sites on becoming a shepherd.

After taking every agriculture course possible in high school Hannah attended Lincoln University where she gained a Diploma in Agriculture and a Diploma in Farm Management and quickly gained her first shepherd’s role back in Taranaki.

“My first shepherding job was in the Mangamingi Valley, and I have spent the last five years in the valley working on two different farms with my team of dogs,” she said.

Hannah’s love for the outdoors, animals, and endless support from her family meant she was able to make her dreams become a reality.

“I am lucky to have a very supportive family behind me. One of my main mentors and supporters is my Grandad. My grandad has spent his whole life sheep and beef farming and is always just a phone call away for some words of wisdom, especially with my dogs.”

After the farm Hannah was working on sold, she started looking for new opportunities and discovered the agriculture tutor role at WITT, saying it came to her at the perfect time.

“It was an unexpected opportunity to branch out into a new sector in my industry but the opportunity was too good to turn down.”

“I am really excited to take on my new role of tutoring at WITT. I’m ready to watch the programme grow and share my passion for the sheep and beef industry with the students and be a part of preparing them for their farming careers,” she said.