2008 Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Entries Open For 2008 Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Regional entries for the 2008 Ballance Farm Environment Awards are starting to open and farmers are being urged to enter this popular event.

Operating in eight regions, the annual awards programme promotes sustainable land management and is organised by the New Zealand Farm Environment Awards (NZFEA) Trust.

Entries for the Bay of Plenty region opened on August 8 and the Waikato and Canterbury regions are due to start on September 1. Wellington/Wairarapa entries open on September 3 and Northland entries start on October 26. Horizons entries open on October 29 and Otago and Southland start on November 1.

NZFEA general manager David Natzke says anyone considering entering the awards should “definitely give it a go”.

He says most entrants enter because they want to get feedback on how their farming operation stacks up in terms of environmental sustainability.

Entrants also seek ideas from judges and other participants on how to improve the sustainability of their farming businesses.

“The awards highlight the fact that good environmental and good business management go hand in hand. Many of our previous winners are top of their field as far as farm performance goes, and they are always happy to share their philosophies and innovations with the wider farming community.

“But this doesn’t mean you have to have the best looking farm in the district to enter and the awards cover a wide range of categories.”

Mr Natzke says past winners have described their participation in the awards as a highly rewarding experience. And strong attendances at the Supreme winner field days this year show that farmer interest in the awards is running strong.

Entering the contest is very simple, with minimal paperwork required. Information on the awards can be obtained by emailing info@bfea.org.nz and an entry form can be obtained from www.bfea.org.nz or participating regional councils.

The awards are sponsored by Ballance Agri-Nutrients, along with PPCS, LIC, Gallagher Group, Hill Laboratories and PGG Wrightson.

They are also backed by Environment Waikato, Environment Bay of Plenty, the Greater Wellington Regional Council, Horizons Regional Council, Environment Canterbury, Otago Regional Council and the Northland Regional Council.

Supreme winners from each region will be honoured at a Sustainability Showcase event next year.

ENDS

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