Ballance enviro entries open

Farmers and growers across New Zealand are being encouraged to enter the Ballance Farm Environment Awards and help continue to grow a healthy future for farming.

Run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZFET), the awards champion sustainable farming and growing and celebrate good practice and innovation across the primary sector.

NZFET general manager Sarah Harris says that for farmers and growers, being part of the awards programme is a positive way to receive feedback on their business, help identify strengths and learn from others who are passionate about the food and fibre sector.

Through the Ballance Farm Environment Awards

(BFEA) programme, farmers and growers have the opportunity to showcase, benchmark, and improve the sustainability of their operation in a constructive process where agribusiness professionals provide feedback, recommendations and commendations.

The judges take a holistic approach to the feedback and award-allocation process by evaluating the overall farm system, including water and soil, climate stewardship, biodiversity, waste management, people and wellbeing, business health, biosecurity and animal care.

After a successful introduction, Harris says the BFEA will again feature the Catchment Group section.

“This section will continue to showcase the great work being done by catchment groups throughout New Zealand, from our high country to the lowlands, uniting our rural and urban communities along the way.”

The Catchment Group Showcase recognises the efforts of a rural community working together to improve water quality in local rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands. The initiative is designed to help inspire other communities with examples of good practice.

The BFEA programme is supported by leading agribusinesses and regional councils, many of whom sponsor award categories and provide professional advice and feedback to entrants through the judging process.

Entries can be found online on the NZFET website. n