Emma Poole: pioneering woman in farming and Veterinary Science

“Every person should aim to join the quest for happiness. The best version of yourself is the happiest – you will be far more productive and achieve far greater things if you are in a happy state of mind,” Emma Poole shares.

When Emma Poole won the FMG Young Farmer of the Year in 2023, she became the first-ever female to take the title in the competition’s 55-year history. For Emma, it wasn’t just about making history but proving that women have a firm place in agriculture. A Massey University Bachelor of Veterinary Science alumna, she has created a career that combines her two biggest passions: farming and veterinary care.

A childhood dream turned reality

Growing up with a farmer for a dad and a nurse for a mum, Emma Poole was inspired by the fact they cared for people and animals. “I grew up inspired by their unique skills and the way they cared for both people and animals. Becoming a vet felt like the perfect way to combine the best of both worlds. I’d also heard incredible stories from those who studied veterinary science at Massey in Palmerston North, which made me even more excited to join the adventure,” Emma shares.

However, the journey wasn’t straightforward. After missing out on the veterinary school’s Pre-vet selection phase, Emma enrolled in a Bachelor of Agriculture. This choice would unexpectedly shape her future in ways she never anticipated. 

“It was heartbreaking at the time and I felt lost because I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” she shares. “But that year in agriculture ended up being a blessing. It gave me a broader understanding of the farming industry, and I met my husband through the Agriculture programme. In hindsight, everything happened for a reason.”

She reapplied for vet school and was accepted the following year, faced with a difficult decision – continue her growing passion for agriculture or pursue her lifelong dream of veterinary science. “I chose the veterinary course as I figured I could always farm later, but I couldn’t be a vet without a degree,” she says. Now, as both a vet and a farmer, Emma has found a way to balance her passions.

Making history – first female FMG Young Farmer of the Year

In 2023, Emma Poole became the first-ever female FMG Young Farmer of the Year, the first time in the contest’s 55-year history that a woman has won the title. Emma describes it as “overwhelming but incredibly rewarding.”

She followed in the footsteps of her brother and mentor, Tim Dangen, who took the title in 2022. Standing on stage, she proudly declared, “We’ve finally knocked the grass ceiling off the roof.” Emma shares, “It was something I had worked towards for a very long time. I was proud. There’s thankfulness for all the people who helped me achieve that result,” she says. “Most importantly, I was thankful to all the incredible women who had paved the way for me in agriculture. They gave me the confidence to stand up there and give it a crack.”

The competition tested contestants on every aspect of farming, from technical knowledge to practical problem-solving. Emma credits her veterinary education at Massey to prepare her for the challenge. “The vet degree covers such a broad range of topics and exposes you to so many different farming” systems. It gave me a solid base to answer questions about almost any type of farm system,” she explains.

Lessons in resilience and growth

Through the highs and lows of her journey, one mindset has guided Emma – perseverance. “If at first you don’t succeed, try again,” she says. “I believe everything happens for a reason. If I had gotten into vet school on my first attempt, I may have never studied agriculture, never met my husband, and never won Young Farmer of the Year.”

“Don’t give up. The extra knowledge from taking part in two degrees has only ever benefited me in later life.”

Emma is now running a family farming business with her husband. “I hope we can continue to refine our business and leave behind opportunities for future generations,” she says. She also hopes to continue developing her veterinary skills and has developed a passion for reproductive technologies in cattle since leaving university, aiming to continue her education in that area.

For Emma, agriculture is a lifelong commitment. “Right now, we’re in the thick of it – raising a family and doing the practical side of farming. One day, I hope to reflect on contributing to the industry from a different standpoint after spending time at the ground level.”