"I didn't want to put the farm on the market and just sell up and leave. It was my grandfather's farm and had been in the family for almost 100 years and I wasn't ready to see it go but I didn't want to do another winter. Brent Irving introduced us to the Hellewell's and in less than two months we had made a lease to buy deal. It's getting harder and harder for young people to get into farming and this gives them a chance."
Jim and Karen Roughan, Lawrence, New Zealand
"It means any investment we put into the farm doesn't increase the farm sale price we buy it at because of the work we have done. It also means we can farm the land as if it's our own. "
Murray and Julie Hellewell, Lawrence, New Zealand
National Farm Ownership Options Manager
Brent was brought up on a West Otago sheep and beef property and has always had a passion for farming and working with rural communities. Following 12 months working on the family farm, Brent took a job in the wool industry and spent the next 19 years in this industry servicing clients throughout Otago in a variety of roles.
Brent joined Rabobank as a Rural Manager in 2003 and is now the National Manager of Farm Ownership Options as well as the Branch Manager for the Dunedin and Alexandra branches. In his time with Rabobank, Brent has worked with a number of rural families and helped them to achieve their farm ownership goals utilising a range of ownership structures.
Brent lives in Mosgiel with his wife and daughter and is a shareholder in a sheep, beef and deer equity partnership.
Alongside Brent, the bank has regional Farm Ownership Options specialists located throughout the country. The regional specialists all have significant knowledge of various farm ownership structures and enjoy working with farmers and investors to ensure the right people are talking.
