MEDIA RELEASE

Farming awards open for sixth year

For immediate release: Monday 13 August 2007

Bay of Plenty’s farmers are being encouraged to join a journey towards sustainability as the Ballance Farm Environment Awards open for entries.

Chairman John Bourke says the awards are open to all types of farming, including organic, sheep, beef, dairying and orchardists, with the addition this year of a lifestyle farm award category and a kiwifruit orchard award category. He says the awards are more than just a chance to reward people for their efforts, as they offer a chance to assess where there is room for improvement as well.

“Entrants have the opportunity to learn new techniques and practices, and how to improve on what they’re already doing. Our focus is that it’s a journey that we’re encouraging farmers to take. We want to show how farming can be both sustainable and profitable. It is also a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate to consumers and customers around the world that we really do care for the environment.”

Helping to coordinate the assessors team this year is John Mackintosh, a past supreme winner. He will be working with Ian Pirani, who has led the team for the last few years.

In keeping with the sustainable message, the organising committee has made a few changes themselves this year.

“Entry forms aren’t being sent out to every rural household this year as it isn’t in keeping with the trust’s sustainable aims,” says Mr Bourke. “Instead, we’re encouraging people to hop online, check out our website and fill out our entry form electronically. It’s easy, just visit our website www.nzfeatrust.org.nz, or follow the link from Environment Bay of Plenty’s website www.envbop.govt.nz.”

As well as the entry form, Mr Bourke says there’s other helpful information available on the website for people thinking about entering.

The awards are run in eight regions of New Zealand, and coordinated in the Bay of Plenty by Environment Bay of Plenty. Principal sponsor Ballance Agri-Nutrients is joined with Livestock Improvement, PPCS, PPG Wrightson, Gallagher, and Hill Laboratories. Environment Bay of Plenty and ZESPRI International are the regional partners.

Entries for the awards close on 1 October, earlier than last year.

“Visit the website or talk to us and make sure you don’t miss out,” says Mr Bourke.

For more information, contact awards coordinator Heidi Wana at Environment Bay of Plenty on 0800 ENV BOP (368 267) or by email at heidi.wana@envbop.govt.nz.

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