The onset of Spring is generally a time for optimism, particularly amongst the farming and growing community. However, the re-emergence of COVID-19 in the community has eroded some of that pride we felt when eliminating the virus way back in May.

Like a lot of organisations, we’ve made contingency plans in case our activities continue to be impacted by health restrictions. In the meantime, the country’s food and fibre producers can’t afford to take a step back as new regulations bite and as consumer expectations for safe and sustainable food are heightened.

While we have curtailed some activities over the next six months, a priority for the Trust is to develop a new framework that ensures our feedback to participants in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards aligns with the latest thinking around good practice. We expect this to enhance the experience of those who get involved in the awards programme. It will also help us shed light on many of the great examples of stewardship happening across the country.  

Trust Board election in October

Waikato awards programme 2020/21    

Our people and stories

BFEA alumni in the news

Twice a year, BFEA alumni Jane and Roger Hutchings go out on a special date night - it's to help protect the many kiwi that live in the bush on their Northland dairy farm.

"It's not an onerous task to look after these birds - it's a joy," says Jane (our Northland BFEA Regional Committee Chairperson) in this magic Hyundai Country Calendar episode. The Hutchings' dairy and Ayrshire breeding business won top spot at the 2014 Northland BFEA, impressing the judges with an excellent balance between production and leading environmental protection practices.

The programme also visited 2019 alumni, Palliser Ridge Station, where lovingly restored native wetlands are visible all over the sheep & beef property and there's a strong commitment to planting more. Watch here.