Six more grants have been made from the Sustainable Farming Fund, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton said today.

This brings the total of grants from the first round of the fund to 19.

The latest grants are:

· "No-tillage technology transfer for NZ farmers", applicant group: No-Tillage NZ; · "Soils awareness for sustainable and profitable land use",applicant group: Southern North Island Soils Awareness Groups; · "Franklin Sustainability - technology transfer and extension", applicant group: Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Assn; · "Reducing the impact of summer toxins on livestock production", applicant group: Whangara Business Group; · "Growing sustainable profit in the Taupo District", applicant group: Pumice Farmers for Profit; and · "Trees for profit and soil conservation" (applicant group: Environment Waikato on behalf of Farm Forestry Assn and Federated Farmers.

Applications are now open for the second round of the Sustainable Farming Fund. The closing date for applications is 15 March 2001.

Mr Sutton said funding in this round was for projects that were ready to go from July this year.

"There is no lower limit. Smaller projects with costs under $10,000 are now included. Also, water management issues previously funded from other sources will now be eligible for Sustainable Farming Fund grants."

Application forms are available from The Sustainable Farming Fund, c/o P O Box 2526, Wellington / 0800 100 087 / sffund@maf.govt.nz

Office of Hon Jim Sutton

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