Latest news with #NewZealandFarmEnvironmentTrust
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Call for awards entries
A call is out for southern farmers and growers to enter the 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards. New Zealand Farm Environment Trust general manager Sarah Harris said the awards celebrated progress, not perfection, and the sharing of ideas across sectors and regions. "Farmers learning from farmers." Entries close in October. Judges will begin visiting farms later this year and regional awards events will be held in March and April next year. One of the 11 regional winners will take home the Gordon Stephenson Trophy and be crowned the National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing at a ceremony in Christchurch in July next year. — ALLIED MEDIA
Scoop
04-08-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Entries Invited For 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards
Press Release – New Zealand Farm Environment Trust Facilitated by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZFET), the awards celebrate excellence in sustainable farming and growing, recognising the many ways landowners are working to strengthen the future of food and fibre in Aotearoa. Farmers and growers across New Zealand are invited to step forward and share their stories of innovation, stewardship, and resilience through the 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Facilitated by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZFET), the awards celebrate excellence in sustainable farming and growing, recognising the many ways landowners are working to strengthen the future of food and fibre in Aotearoa. NZFET General Manager Sarah Harris says the programme is designed to encourage and support farmers and growers at every stage of their journey. 'The awards are about celebrating progress, not perfection, and sharing ideas across sectors and regions, farmers learning from farmers,' she says. 'They are also a great opportunity to reflect on what you've achieved, gain feedback for future growth, and connect with like-minded farmers and growers who are passionate about looking after the land for future generations.' This year's National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing, Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki, says the process of entering the awards was rewarding in itself. 'We entered the awards to showcase our property, but more importantly to have external parties come in and review what we were doing and really reset our strategy around where we want to go over the next five to seven years.' 'It's been a great opportunity for our farming business, and it's actually just the right thing to do.' Each year, the awards provide a platform to showcase a wide range of operations, with judges looking at the whole farm system. Considerations include soil and water management, climate and biodiversity initiatives, animal welfare, waste management, team and community wellbeing, and business planning. The Catchment Group Showcase will also continue in 2026, highlighting the impact of rural communities working together to improve water quality, protect biodiversity, and achieve sustainable land management outcomes. The BFEA programme is supported by a wide network of agribusinesses, sector organisations and regional councils, many of whom provide technical insights and feedback to entrants as part of the judging process. Entries for the 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards are now open, and will close in October. Initial farm visits will take place later this year, with regional awards events held in March and April 2026. The eleven Regional Supreme Winners will then come together at the Trust's National Sustainability Showcase in Christchurch next July, where one will be named the recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy and become the National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing for 2026. Entries and nominations can be made online at
Scoop
04-08-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Entries Invited For 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards
Press Release – New Zealand Farm Environment Trust Facilitated by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZFET), the awards celebrate excellence in sustainable farming and growing, recognising the many ways landowners are working to strengthen the future of food and fibre in Aotearoa. Farmers and growers across New Zealand are invited to step forward and share their stories of innovation, stewardship, and resilience through the 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Facilitated by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZFET), the awards celebrate excellence in sustainable farming and growing, recognising the many ways landowners are working to strengthen the future of food and fibre in Aotearoa. NZFET General Manager Sarah Harris says the programme is designed to encourage and support farmers and growers at every stage of their journey. 'The awards are about celebrating progress, not perfection, and sharing ideas across sectors and regions, farmers learning from farmers,' she says. 'They are also a great opportunity to reflect on what you've achieved, gain feedback for future growth, and connect with like-minded farmers and growers who are passionate about looking after the land for future generations.' This year's National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing, Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki, says the process of entering the awards was rewarding in itself. 'We entered the awards to showcase our property, but more importantly to have external parties come in and review what we were doing and really reset our strategy around where we want to go over the next five to seven years.' 'It's been a great opportunity for our farming business, and it's actually just the right thing to do.' Each year, the awards provide a platform to showcase a wide range of operations, with judges looking at the whole farm system. Considerations include soil and water management, climate and biodiversity initiatives, animal welfare, waste management, team and community wellbeing, and business planning. The Catchment Group Showcase will also continue in 2026, highlighting the impact of rural communities working together to improve water quality, protect biodiversity, and achieve sustainable land management outcomes. The BFEA programme is supported by a wide network of agribusinesses, sector organisations and regional councils, many of whom provide technical insights and feedback to entrants as part of the judging process. Entries for the 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards are now open, and will close in October. Initial farm visits will take place later this year, with regional awards events held in March and April 2026. The eleven Regional Supreme Winners will then come together at the Trust's National Sustainability Showcase in Christchurch next July, where one will be named the recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy and become the National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing for 2026.
NZ Herald
14-06-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Ballance Farm Environment Awards: Farming and science run in Gordon Stephenson's family
The Gordon Stephenson Trophy will be presented to one of the 11 Ballance Farm Environment Awards Regional Supreme Winners during the National Sustainability Showcase at Tākina, Wellington, on June 18. Here, the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust reflects on the man behind the trophy and how his love of farming
NZ Herald
07-06-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Ballance Farm Environment Awards: Waikato farmer Gordon Stephenson's legacy celebrated
The National Sustainability Showcase celebrates the year's 11 Ballance Farm Environment Awards regional supreme winners. The showcase culminates with the announcement of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy recipients. Here, the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust reflects on the legacy of the man behind the trophy. If Waikato farmer and conservationist Gordon
