Farmers and growers across the region are invited to enter the 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards to help continue to grow a healthy future for farming.

Facilitated by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, the awards recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation in sustainable farming and growing within the primary sector.

Trust general manager Sarah Harris invites farmers and growers at any stage of their sustainability journey to get involved.

“Being part of the awards programme is an excellent way to gain constructive feedback on your business, help identify your strengths, and learn from others who are passionate about the food and fibre sector.”

Blair Linton, Linda Ellison and Robert Linton of Te Ranga Farms were named this year’s Bay of Plenty Regional Supreme Winners, and encourage anyone who is considering entering the awards to take up the opportunity.

"Just go for it; the amount of support and advice you get from the judges and entrants – both past and current, the celebration around the awards and the opportunities it gives you as a farmer," says Blair.

The programme offers a platform for farmers and growers to showcase, benchmark, and enhance the sustainability of their operation through the judging process, whereby rural peers and agribusiness professionals provide valuable feedback, commendations, and recommendations. 

Judges take a comprehensive approach, evaluating the entire farm system including water and soil management, climate stewardship, biodiversity, waste management, team and community wellbeing, business health, biosecurity and animal care.

The awards also feature a Catchment Group Showcase, which recognises the efforts of a rural community working together to improve water quality, promote good on-farm practices and sustainable land management, and encourage positive environmental and farmer wellbeing outcomes.

The initiative is designed to celebrate the efforts of catchment groups and serves to inspire other communities with examples of good practice.

The BFEA programme is supported by a range of leading agribusinesses and regional councils throughout the country, many of whom sponsor award categories and provide valuable professional advice and feedback to entrants through the judging process.

Entries are open until October, with initial farm visits taking place before the end of the year.

The Bay of Plenty BFEA event will be held on March 7, 2025, providing a valuable opportunity to connect as an industry, share stories and celebrate the outstanding achievements within the primary sector.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Supreme Winner will join the RSWs from each of the other ten regions across the country to be considered for the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the Trust’s National Showcase at Tākina in Wellington on June 18, 2025.

The winners of this prestigious trophy will become the National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing for 2025.

Entries can be made online at www.nzfeawards.org.nz