Fifty-five dairy farmers have been attending a Dairy Environment Leaders Forum in Wellington.
It's designed to develop farming leaders who can head back to the land, engage with authorities, and show other farmers the way.
Forum chair Martin Bennett says farmers everywhere are facing regulatory challenges relating to water allocation, nutrient loss and environmental responsibility.
He says it's important to understand what the issues and challenges are and to ensure there are people on the ground who understand them.
"What we're trying to do is to make sure that our farmers go out and spread the word and influence other people, work with regulators and even central government to make sure that we get the best possible deal."
Mr Bennett says farmers need to meet the objectives that New Zealanders want.
One of the farmers on the leadership course was Sarah Coatesworth, a sharemilker on a 430 cow farm in Bay of Plenty.
Ms Coatesworth says it made her realise what sort of a difference she can make as an individual and was a great opportunity to learn about policy changes and how that will affect farmers.
The forum was organised by Dairy NZ.
