Strong Entries Signal Successful Muster For Ballance Farm Environment Awards
by Ballance Farm Environment awards · SCOOPThe number of farmers and growers entering the Ballance Farm Environment Awards has “delighted” the general manager of the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, Sarah Harris, as regional entries come to a close.
Sarah said the response from regions across the country had been strong, with most committees enjoying a successful “muster” getting farmers and growers to enter and share their innovative farming practices.
“I’m absolutely delighted with the number of entries coming through in each region,” she said.
While a couple of regions could still do with “one or two” more entries, the overall picture was positive.
The Horizons region, for example, has nine entries, and South Island’s West Coast, which has recently joined the awards programme as a new region, has attracted five entries in its inaugural season.
“That’s huge for a first-time region,” she said.
Southland has also recorded strong entry numbers for the upcoming season, despite experiencing some of the worst spring weather in decades. “It just goes to show how incredibly pragmatic and resilient Southlanders are.”
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The region’s supreme winners from this year, Michelle and Tony Roberts, went on to win the Gordon Stephenson Trophy and were named National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing.
There appeared to be a “bigger buzz” around the awards this season, she said, with more farmers learning about the programme through media coverage and realising the benefits of taking part.
Sarah praised the work of regional committees, whose members actively identify farmers and growers who deserve recognition for their efforts.
“Our regional committees do an exceptional job of getting around the place and nominating and suggesting the awards to farmers and growers they can see are doing a great job on their land and deserve to be celebrated.”
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, with support from a network of national and regional sponsors and partners.
The pan-sector awards celebrate farmers and growers making a positive difference on their land and sharing good practice across the primary sector.
“Ultimately, we’re about showcasing all the good things Kiwi farmers and growers are doing, and there seems to be a real groundswell of support from those keen to help us tell that story,” Sarah said.
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