The latest community outbreak of COVID-19 disrupted some of our promotional activity but now we’re firmly focused on encouraging the country’s amazing farmers and growers to participate in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for 2021/22.
 
While some of you might have felt like you had your wings clipped during lockdown, many farmers and growers have been busier than ever and we reckon they deserve to be celebrated. That’s why the Trust is determined to showcase positive examples of farming and growing and recognise some of the characters in the food and fibre sector.  
 
While there remains some uncertainty about running events in the short term, the widespread uptake of vaccinations means that we’re optimistic about the ability to run functions and farm field days come 2022. 

Congratulations to Olivia Weatherburn (nee Ross) who is Chair of our Southland BFEA Committee. Olivia has recently been named as one of eight finalists in the Zanda McDonald Award. This prestigious Australasian award recognises future young leaders working in agriculture, with finalists being selected for their passion for the industry, strong leadership skills and the contributions they are making to the primary sector. Winners will be announced in November. We wish you all the very best Olivia!

2022 BFEA  - Enter Now 

Entries for BFEA close at the end of October
 
Do you know someone that is involved in implementing farm practices that are worthy of recognition or they would benefit from some independent feedback? 

Then nominate them for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards at https://nzfeawards.org.nz/apply-now/
 
Entries close at the end of October so make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to encourage someone to get involved. 
 

New Catchment Group Award

A new Catchment Group Award is being supported by a partnership between the NZ Farm Environment Trust and NZ Landcare Trust. The Catchment Group Award recognises the efforts of a rural community working together to improve water quality in local rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands. 
 
The launch of this new initiative follows a successful trial in the Waikato in 2020/21 which recognised a number of catchment groups in the region including Pūniu River Care (pictured below) who won the inaugural Catchment Group Award in the Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards. You can read more about Pūniu River Care here, or click here to learn more about the Catchment Group Award

Round the Farm Table Cookbook

New NZFET Website

The Trust has recently launched a refreshed website featuring great farming stories and images from our BFEA entrants. We hope you like the new look and find this site easier to navigate. You can check it out here.