Local Farmers take out awards at

by Emily Chapman

Oxford farmers Alistair and Genna Bird of The Grange have recently been recognised with multiple awards at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

The awards are an annual awards programme run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust with the aim of, “celebrating farmer and grower achievement, showcasing good practice to other farmers and growers and sharing positive farming and growing stories with all audiences.”

Alistair and Genna decided to enter the awards for the first time this year, to get feedback on their farming operation, particularly to get feedback in the environmental space. They say they “also wanted to put ourselves up against some of the best farming businesses in the region”.

They won 4 awards -

Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award

The couple say “This award recognises our efforts in connecting with the wider community and opening up the farm to a large range of visitors, including but not limited to- school groups, accommodation guests, trampers, horse riders and agricultural industry groups. It also took into consideration the work we put into highlighting the highs and lows of everyday farming life.”

NZ Farm Environment Trust Biodiversity Award

This award recognises the biological diversity of the farming and growing business. It acknowledges the mahi of both the present and past guardians (kaitiaki) of the land that have created an environment that encourages and allows biodiversity to thrive.

Environment Canterbury Water Quality Award

This Award is for farm practices which reflect the strategic importance of this natural resource to Canterbury and the connectivity between land use practices and water quality. Alistair and Genna say “We demonstrated our awareness of the impact our farm has on waterways through reticulated water schemes, fencing off waterways, culverting main stock crossing areas, planting buffer zones and water testing and analysis.”

NZ Farm Environment Trust Innovation Award

This award was for the couples utilisation and showcasing of technologies in Agriculture. Their in-depth use of Farm IQ (Farm management programme) and Farm Focus (Farm accounting programme) to increase production and drive decision making was key to winning this award.