Growers up their game

Leanne Blackwood at work in her Otakiri kiwifruit orchard. Supplied photo.

Whakatane kiwifruit growers Iain and Leanne Blackwood have decided to "sharpen their game" after entering a entering a recent environment awards competition.

The Bay of Plenty Balance Farm Environment Awards have been organised by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust to promote land stewardship by showcasing sustainable farming.

Farmers and horticulturists, including orchardists, vegetable growers and viticulturists, within the area are encouraged to enter.

People can also nominate another farming or growing business they feel is worthy or may be interested in the awards programme, providing the entrant agrees to be involved.

Ian and Leanne Blackwood both work full time on their 7.95ha kiwifruit orchard, which includes 4ha of SunGold, 0.61ha of Sweet Green (G14) and 3.3ha of Hayward Green.

The couple say they were still developing the golden kiwifruit when they were judged.

"We entered after talking to our neighbour's daughter, who works for Zespri, encouraged us to have a go," says Iain.

"The place didn't look that flash because it was a work in progress really. But we thought we'd have a crack and try to get something worthwhile out of it. We have reasonable production but agreed the orchard could look a lot tidier.

'As a result of the feedback we're going to plant some native trees on the boundaries and in areas where we can't produce fruit to help get the bird life back in and improve the aesthetic look of the orchard.

'We're also looking at planting males there so we can harvest the pollen from them."

He says entering the awards was a worthwhile process and they will enter again in the future once they've worked through some of the items in their feedback report.

"The orchard will also be in far better shape with grown vines and full canopies. It was good to enter in the early stages though so we stepped back and looked at the business from the outside.

'Sometimes you're so busy just producing fruit you don't see what's right beside you."

National judging co-ordinator Andrea Hanna says judging teams have a wide range of skills and look at all parts of the farming business.

Judging is conducted in a relaxed and friendly manner and climatic factors are taken into account.

"In the past we've found farmers can be reluctant to enter if their farm has been affected by wet weather or drought.

'Judges know severe climatic events are part of farming and growing and will look beyond this at the wider picture," Mrs Hanna says.

She says many past entrants say their involvement has helped their personal development because they get to meet and be inspired by a range of like-minded people.

Entries for the Bay of Plenty 2018 Ballance Farm Environment Awards are now open and close on Friday 27 October 2017. Enter online or contact regional coordinator Kirsten Winter at bop@bfea.org.nz or 0275 721 244.

First round judging will take place from Monday 30 October through to Friday November 17 2017 when the finalists will be decided.

After another round of judging, award winners and the overall supreme winner will be announced at an award ceremony dinner on Friday February 23, 2018 at ASB Baypark Arena at Mount Maunganui, Tauranga.

http://www.nzfeatrust.org.nz/enter-awards

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.