A partnership between WITT and the Bashford-Nicholls Trust has enabled a new Top Student award to be created for students participating in the Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production. In April 2025 Siobhán Hemingway was successful as the inaugural recipient of the award.
Alongside her studies Siobhán is a web & graphic designer with a passion for gardening and local food systems and is the Coordinator for the Taranaki Farmers Market. She has a deep appreciation for the important role that food plays in our wellbeing and is a passionate advocate for growing your own food and supporting local food systems.
Carl Freeman who is the Horticulture Tutor at WITT explained why Siobhán was selected for the award:
“Siobhan has been awarded Top Student in WITT’s Organic Primary Production programme not only for her academic excellence, but for the depth of her engagement with real-world learning, and stunning portfolio. She has gone on to implement her learnings in her leadership and dedication at the Taranaki Farmers Market—first as a Trustee and Market Assistant, and now as the Market Coordinator—demonstrating the values at the heart of organics: care for the land, people, and community. Siobhan’s work has been instrumental in the market’s recent success, including its national recognition as Farmers Market of the Year. Her commitment to supporting local growers, promoting sustainable food systems, and creating a welcoming space for all is truly inspiring and she has a bright future ahead. Taranaki is lucky to have her making an impact in the food systems here.”
The Bashford-Nicholls Trust and the team at The Bishop’s Action Foundation extend our congratulations to Siobhán for her fantastic achievement.
You can read Siobhan’s Organic Primary Production Academic Portfolio here https://sites.google.com/view/organiceportfoliosiobhan?usp=sharing