Latest news with #ChampionAward
Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Late Feds leader Rural Hero of Year finalist
A Mid Canterbury farmer who died after a farm accident is in the running for major recognition at the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards. The late Federated Farmers leader Chris Allen is a finalist, along with Waikato-Hauraki-Coromandel Rural Support Trust co-founder Neil Bateup and Taranaki rescue helicopter fundraiser Ian Jury, for the Rural Hero of the Year award. Mr Allen, 62, died after he was electrocuted while fixing a garage door last December. His sheep and beef property in Ashburton Forks was one of several farms badly damaged in the floods which hit the region in 2021. A Federated Farmers board member for eight years, he hosted then prime minister Jacinda Ardern at his property to show the damage and appeal for government support. His balanced approach on environmental and water issues earned the respect of farmers and those with opposing views. Mr Bateup became founding chairman of the NZ Rural Support Trust in 2017 and has given many hours supporting farmers and rural families facing hard times, while 85-year-old Mr Jury has collected batteries for recycling for 20 years in his fundraising for the rescue helicopter service. The awards are part of the two-day PINZ Summit taking place at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre from June 24 to 25. Another widely known central South Island farmer — Molesworth Station manager Jim Ward — is a finalist with senior AgResearch scientists Dr Robyn Dynes and David Wheeler for the Champion Award. For nearly 20 years he has been on the Federated Farmers high-country committee and served the Wilding Pine Network New Zealand. Often behind the scenes, he has worked for change, shaped policies and driven improvements for high-country farmers. Since taking on the Molesworth farm manager role in 2001, he has faced many challenges to ensure the station remains economically viable. For more than two decades he has balanced pastoral farming, conservation and recreation values under the scrutiny of the public eye. Mr Wheeler has helped shape and improve the farm management tool Overseer, while Dr Dynes is a principal scientist and farmer engagement specialist at AgResearch focusing on farming systems between forage science and animal science. Federated Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland said the awards celebrated primary leaders at a time when leadership was needed during an international tariff "tit-for-tat" sparking disruption and uncertainty in export markets. PRIMARY INDUSTRIES NEW ZEALAND AWARD FINALISTS • Emerging Leader Award: Bridie Virbickas, Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty sharemilker chairwoman. Imogen Brankin, Silver Fern Farms on-farm sustainability adviser. Kazi Talaska, Onions NZ general manager. Lucy Brown, The Whole Story agricultural sustainability coach. • Champion Award: David Wheeler, AgResearch senior scientist. James (Jim) Ward, Molesworth Station manager. Dr Robyn Dynes, AgResearch principal scientist and farmer engagement specialist. • Team and Collaboration Award nProve for Beef — online genetics tool, Beef + Lamb New Zealand. Food system integrity team, AgResearch, led by Dr Gale Brightwell. An open data-sharing ecosystem: Fonterra, Ballance, Ravensdown and LIC. • Technology Innovation Award TEO for Ovitage, the world's most complete collagen. FAR for Combine Workshops — increasing productivity on arable farms. Alliance Group for Meat Eating Quality (MEQ) technology. • Food, Beverage and Fibre Producer Award Chia Sisters. Kiwi Econet, Grant Lightfoot founder. New Image International. • Guardianship & Conservation/Kaitiakitanga Award Pāua Dashboard — Pāua Industry Council. The eDNA for water quality team led by Dr Adrian Cookson. Pacificvet, co-founder Kent Deitemeyer. • Rural Hero of the Year Chris Allen (posthumous), farmer and Federated Farmers leader. Neil Bateup, Rural Support Trust founder. Ian Jury, Taranaki grassroots good sort. •Outstanding Contribution to Primary Industries NZ Award Winner to be announced on the night.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senator Webb awarded by SUNY for dedication to equal opportunity
ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Senator Lea Webb was recognized as an advocate for higher education during an award ceremony over the weekend. Webb was honored with the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Champion Award during the 2nd Annual Alumni Reception at the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators Caucus Weekend. The award was presented by the State University of New York's Office of Opportunity Programs. Webb was given the award for her dedication to the Educational Opportunity Program. 'As a member of the Senate's Higher Education Committee, I am deeply honored to receive the EOP Champion Award, especially as an EOP alumnus,' said Webb. 'This program gave me the opportunity to succeed and it's a privilege to give back by advocating for others who are pursuing higher education. I remain committed to ensuring that all students, particularly those from underserved communities, have access to the resources and support they need to achieve their dreams.' During the event, distinguished alumni of the New York State Legislature were recognized for their contributions to higher education as they celebrated the future leaders of tomorrow. Senator Webb awarded by SUNY for dedication to equal opportunity BPD: Shots fired on West End Ave; suspect in custody Plan your wedding with help from Kilmer Mansion Suspects in Nordquist murder case plead not guilty EU retaliates as Trump steel, aluminum tariffs take effect Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
