Personal growth delivers immediate results – Grant and Bernie Weller

For Grant and Bernie Weller of Riversdale, Southland, forcing themselves outside their comfort zones has allowed them to deliver results they never believed possible. “We really have the GrowFARM System to thank for helping us to push our own boundaries so that we could discover just what we are really capable of,” says Grant. “GrowFARM has supplied us with the environment, the culture, the systems and the coaching to be the best we can be.”

Grant, Bernie and their three daughters farm 890 ha of tussock Hokonui hills and a small area of flats. In April 2011 they won the 2011 Southland Farm Environment Awards. “For a while now it has been our resolve to build a sustainable and environmentally conscious farm business that is inspirational to New Zealand farmers,” relates Grant. “Too often farming is portrayed as a negative industry and it is no wonder NZ has very few young people interested in giving farming a go. It is important to us that farming is shown to be an amazing business – one that is very profitable and can provide everything you need and want from life.”

The Wellers picked up on the GrowFARM system almost immediately. “What struck us both at our first GrowFARM Regional Mastermind Meeting with other GrowFARM Clients,” shares Bernie, “was the positive vibe of the group we were with.  Everyone was involved and it was obviously a culture where both husband and wife are equally committed. There is an evident support network and a willingness to share opportunities and expertise. We were quite blown away. That is so important, as is the live online system called ProfitLIVE, but it is the coaching part that we want to emphasise.”

Grant continues, “The coaching in itself has been hugely motivational. It has allowed us to move outside of our self imposed boundaries. It has helped us to step up and make some necessary changes.” They both discovered they possessed abilities and resources they never knew they had. For example, they used to do just enough to get by. Now they do everything they can to be the best they can be. “Winning the Southland Farm Environment Awards was the culmination of a lot of hard work and thorough preparation,” says Grant. “We valued that extra voice from someone we trust, providing confidence and a sounding board. We were inspired to get on with what was most important to us and we are happy that we did the absolute best we could.”

“We have learned that the things we thought defined us, don’t define us, says Bernie. “ I used to be afraid of the tall poppy thing I guess. Well now we have got out of that. Doing the presentations we did for the awards judging would never have crossed our minds before.” Although Bernie believed she could have done a presentation to judges, in the past she would have sold herself short, instead believing that she would be showing off or that she didn’t really need to do it. “We have also really learned to under promise and over deliver. We know now that you can never be too prepared!” she chuckles.

For Grant, being taken outside of their comfort zone was a highlight. “What is crucial for us is we were given the help to do it but we had to make the effort ourselves! The benefits personally just in self-reliance and awareness have been immense. It has been challenging but enjoyable, and it was not a burden at all!” says Grant.

“We have more knowledge, are more informed and educated, and as a result we have more confidence. This has led to confidence in good decision making and confidence in how to portray our business,” adds Grant. “Previously when in a group who were perhaps high powered or big business people we would have felt inferior. Now we are happy to walk up and talk with anyone regardless of who they are, and hold a great conversation. For me this is huge!”

The Wellers now have a solid pathway to follow into the future, in terms of improving profitable farm decision making and proactive business thinking. "Most of all it excites us that we still have a lot more to learn. We are only just getting started. The best is yet to come!"