Media Release
26 September 2012

Entries close soon for region's Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Entries close on 1 October 2012 to be considered for an award at the 2013 Canterbury Region Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA).

The Awards, which have been running in the region for 10 years, celebrate responsible land stewardship and sustainable farm management practices.

Jocelyn Muller, the Canterbury Regional Coordinator for the Ballance Awards, said the awards continue to go from strength - to - strength in Canterbury.

“The Awards recognise and celebrate that best practice on-farm management is good for business and good for the environment.

“By entering the Awards, farmers have the opportunity to have their farms assessed by a team of skilled judges, all with expertise in their particular area.

“Farmers can use the judging process to discuss their ideas and business practices with the team of highly experienced and knowledgeable judges,” she said.

Supreme award winners in Canterbury in 2012 Dan and Mandy Shand said they enjoyed the judging experience at their Island Hills farm near Culverden in North Canterbury.

“Being part of the awards was a wonderful experience we would recommend to anyone with a vision for sustainable farming in New Zealand.

“It’s a great way to evaluate your business practices to others in relation to how we are going to farm in New Zealand in the future.”

Past winners Bruce and Lyn Nell found their experience at the awards so rewarding Bruce decided to become a judge.

“The judging comes at rather a busy time of the year here at Middle Rock and it took a bit of coaxing to get me involved. It has been a very rewarding experience.

“I enjoy the interaction with other farmers, the stimulation of viewing their properties and the diversity of the judging teams I have found myself a part of. With hindsight it’s been a privilege to be involved,” he said.

Entry forms for the 2013 competition are available from the NZFE website at www.bfea.org.nz. The website also has details on the awards and the award categories.

An awards evening is scheduled to be held in March 2013.

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