Last chance to enter environment awards for Canterbury

4 October 2013

Last chance to enter environment awards for Canterbury

Due to the storm that wrecked havoc through Canterbury last month, this year’s Ballance Farm Environment Award nominations are being extended to Wednesday, 9 October.

“These awards are key to helping Canterbury’s farmers enhance their businesses while celebrating real environmental achievements,” says Chris Allen, Federated farmers Mid-Canterbury president.

“It is important to note that storm damage will have no impact on the judge’s assessment of entries, in fact, we welcome the extension of entries because there are many great farmers who will have had to focus their attention on anything but entering.

“Now they can have until Wednesday (9 October) and we cannot speak highly enough of these awards.

“We wouldn’t be too worried about storm damage because the Judges are looking at the bigger picture and what your farm is capable of.

“Canterbury farmers Craig and Roz MacKenzie went on from winning the regional prize last year to take the national prize – the sky is the limit when it comes to opportunities going forward. Not only did they get recognised for their ground-breaking work in in arable farming, but they have become national leaders in sustainable land management.

“It is easy to get stuck in the day to day operation of farming, but this competition gives farmers a chance to benchmark, a chance to build on their potential and a chance to establish a firm direction.

“Feedback from past entrants is that the awards offer an opportunity to link sustainable farming practices to long-term profitability. It allows farmers a chance to listen to the ideas of other entrants and to see the different approaches they take.

“Judges are meeting next week for a training day where their expertise will be matched with relevant entries. Federated Farmers is keen to see more entrants from Canterbury and we thank the New Zealand Farm Environment Awards Trust for understanding the recent challenges we have faced.

“Winners will be announced on 20 March 2014 where the finalist will claim the title of supreme winner for Canterbury and a $3,000 prize. They have the opportunity to go onto the national finals where the national champion will receive the whopping prize of over $50,000,” Mr Allen concluded.

ENDS

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