The Ballance Farm Environment Awards entries open

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards for 2011 are now open. Environment Canterbury will again be a key sponsor and supporter of the awards; the ninth year they have been held in Canterbury.

“The awards are a national premier showcase for environmentally sustainable, profitable farming operations,” says Jackie Curtis, director external relations. “This is hugely important to achieving successful long-term environmental and economic outcomes for Canterbury.”

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards have proven key to acknowledging the importance of sustainable farming in Canterbury. The awards encourage best practices on farms and celebrate farmers who run socially, environmentally and financially sustainable businesses.

James Hoban, Canterbury judging co-ordinator, said that the benefits gained by entering the awards extends to all farmers no matter what stage they are in their farming career.

“It’s an opportunity for people who have been farming for a long time to get some acknowledgement and feedback on what they’ve been doing,” he says.

“It’s a good chance for young farmers starting out to get some advice and ideas from experienced judges with a wealth of knowledge.”

He is encouraging farmers to enter the awards and make the most of learning more about environmentally sustainable land management and business practices.

Environment Canterbury manages the awards for the Canterbury region and has been involved since 2003.

Entering the Ballance Farm Environment Awards is simple. Information on the awards can be obtained by contacting the regional co-ordinator on 03 353 9711 or entering online at www.bfea.org.nz. Entries close 18 October 2010.

The awards are sponsored by Ballance Agri-Nutrients, along with Beef + Lamb New Zealand, LIC, Massey University, Hill Laboratories and PGG Wrightson.