Finalists for Agribusiness Person of the year

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FREEPHONE 0800 327 646 I WEBSITE WWW.FEDFARM.ORG.NZ 

26 June 2009

Finalists announced for Agribusiness Person of the Year

Federated Farmers is excited to announce the finalists for its first ever awarding of the Agribusiness Person of the Year.

“This is a very exciting development for Federated Farmers.  We are looking to champion and recognise the very best that New Zealand agriculture and agribusiness has to offer,” says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.

Finalists for the 2009 Federated Farmers Agribusiness Person of the Year:

·         Tom Henderson, Champion of the Environmental Award winning Opuha Dam

·         Jeremy Moon, Managing Director, Icebreaker

·         Craig Norgate, Chairman PGG Wrightson

·         Dr. John Penno, Chief Executive Officer, Synlait

·         Sam Robinson, Chairperson, AgResearch

·         Ben Russell, General Manager for Rural New Zealand, Rabobank

“The Federated Farmers Agribusiness Person of the Year has been determined by an independent judging panel.  It featured rugby and farming legend, Sir Colin Meads, fashion designer and Veuve Clicquot Award recipient, Annah Stretton, Mayor of Auckland City, the Hon John Banks and David Walker of Gen-i,” Mr Nicolson continued.

“All will be determined on Tuesday, 30 June at a Gala Dinner in Auckland held as part of the 2009 Federated Farmers National Conference.

“At the Award’s dinner we will also announce Federated Farmers first Agricultural Personality of the Year.  We will further recognise the other major farming award winners from the past year.  

“It’s highly important to showcase to urban New Zealand the boundless opportunities that agriculture at all levels has to offer.  Federated Farmers wishes to turn urban New Zealand back onto agriculture.

“In this we wish to show how agriculture is more than just animals and crops, but forms the very essence of commercial New Zealand,” Mr Nicolson concluded.

All farmers and farmers at heart are invited to attend the 2009 Conference as well as the first ever, Federated Farmers Cream of the Crop Awards.  More information about how to attend can be obtained by calling 0800 327 646.

Media are invited to attend and cover the event.  Tickets can be arranged by speaking with either David Broome on 04 470 2160 (dbroome@fedfarm.org.nz) or Michael Hansen on 04 470 2162 (mhansen@fedfarm.org.nz). 

The winners of the major agricultural awards to be honoured on 30 June include:

·         The Ballance Farm Environment Awards

·         The National Bank Young Farmer of the Year

·         The Ahuwhenua Trophy – BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Award

·         Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year

·         Rural Women New Zealand Enterprising Rural Woman Award

·         New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Sharemilkers of the Year

·         New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Farm Manager of the Year, and

·         New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Fends

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