A life-changing cricket injury forced Joel Hensman to step out of his daily routine and adopt a broader perspective on life. A skill, he believes, is also essential for farmers.
As Perrin Ag’s newest Senior Consultant, Joel is dedicated to helping clients see the bigger picture of their businesses and make informed decisions that support both their operations and personal well-being.
Joel Hensman’s journey into agriculture began on Thorn Flat, a 1,000 hectare block of Kereru Station backing onto the Ruahine Ranges. This upbringing instilled in him a deep connection to the land and laid the groundwork for his future in New Zealand's primary sector. Joel went on to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agriculture from Massey University, which further solidified his passion for farming.
"I help our clients step out of their daily realm and look at things through a broader lens. When you start talking to farmers about their goals and then look at what their long-term vision is, sometimes the two don’t align," says Joel.
Balancing his recovery from severe post-concussion syndrome after being struck in the head with a cricket ball during a social match taught Joel to prioritise what truly matters.
"Part of my recovery was figuring out what's important - simplifying life and doing the things we often push down the road," he explains. This experience gave him a fresh perspective and a holistic approach to farm consultancy.
“I am acutely aware of the mental health challenges facing our industry and the need to maintain the sustainability of our land and our people. We want farm practices that ensure long-term success without compromising farmers’ well-being,” says Joel.
Sometimes, these crucial conversations are best had in the everyday environments of farmers. "I am the kind of consultant who’s happy to get on a handpiece in the woolshed alongside a farmer if that’s a better place to have the conversation,” he says.
With an abundance of data available to farmers today, Joel highlights the importance of effectively interpreting this information. “Sometimes just having the skill to look at the farm data and see what can be tweaked is a big part of aligning goals with the long-term vision,” he adds.
Joel’s ability to think outside the box and empower others to learn and grow makes him well-equipped to manage farm supervision and strategic planning. He has been involved in enhancing and supporting Māori-led organisations through farm supervision and major development projects, further showcasing his versatile skill set.
Joel’s family reassessed their lifestyle following his injury, embracing minimalism by moving into a tiny house on 12 hectares of leased land near Palmerston North, where they graze dairy heifers. This change has allowed them to focus on what truly matters - spending quality time together and maintaining a balanced life.
“I’m not advocating for everyone to move to tiny house living, but it’s where we ended up when we started assessing our life alongside our career and family goals. It’s about taking a broader look and being open to alternatives,” says Joel.
When he’s not at work, Joel enjoys mountain biking, tramping, hunting, and spending time with his family. Living in a tiny house and running a small farm operation, he is passionate about growing great food and helping people understand where their food comes from - all while keeping his boots dirty.
Listen to Joel share his story on rural mental health podcast Bullshit & Bravery, which is sponsored by the Waikato Rural Support Trust.
