Today We Met Hamish Murray by Evyn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we went to Bluff Station and met Hamish Murray. Not only did we learn about running a 34,100-acre livestock operation, but were administered a healthy dose of lessons, perspectives, and wisdom about overcoming life’s inevitable challenges. Hamish Murray endured the drought of the century, an 8-point magnitude earthquake, and a global pandemic in six years. He recounted that there was a point he didn’t want to speak to anyone let alone farm tens of thousands of acres in high country terrain.

 With such a massive operation, many of us wondered how it’s possible to ensure all 7,000 heads were mustered, moved, sheared, and taken care of. When asked, Murray responded that we can’t be sure with a chuckle and shrug. Instantly, 36 pairs of eyebrows raised in astonishment. The thought of not knowing the exact whereabouts of one’s animals baffled the pet owners, Webb Farm attendees, and planners amongst the group. In such inaccessible terrain, one cannot expect perfection and must accept mistakes, losses and that an occasional sheep is out there living it’s life on the mountain. A similar mindset could be applied to any situation with imperfect information. Don’t let stumbling keep you down.  “Everything is based on relationships. But different cultures have different ways of building these relationships.” – Hamish Murray

Hamish Murray is a 2019 Nuffield Scholar where he traveled to farms in six countries in six weeks and took on his own research topic studying the qualities of effective work teams. He hoped to create a workplace that would attract and retain more young people in agriculture. In his travels and diverse interactions, he realized the pivotal importance of the relationships people build. We were only able to visit Bluff Station because he and Susan Garey met through their Nuffield Scholarship. Bluff Station’s store stock are exclusively sent to his sibling’s farm for finishing. Murray’s farm can support his family because of his dedicated team of shepherds and beekeepers. Forming these relationships is as diverse of a process as the connections themselves. Murray taught us to prioritize learning about people’s unique perspectives to build trust and
cooperation.

 While visiting farms we have learned about everything from seasonal pasture growth to deworming livestock, and irrigation systems to protecting soil. Unexpectedly, we have also learned a great deal about approaching life’s curve-balls and relationships.