Entries are open for the 2024 Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, the awards showcase sustainable farming and growing and celebrate good practice and innovation across the primary sector.

In addition to some region-specific categories, the main awards are:

· Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award

• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Award

• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award

• Hill Laboratories Agri-Science Award

• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award

• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award

• NZ Farm Environment Trust Biodiversity Award

• NZ Farm Environment Trust Innovation Award

Entries

NZFET General Manager Sarah Harris invites farmers and growers to get involved at any point  in their sustainability journey.

"Being part of the awards programme is a positive way to receive feedback on your business, help identify strengths and learn from others who are passionate about the food and fibre sector," Harris said.

Through the BFEA programme, farmers and growers can showcase, benchmark, and improve the sustainability of their operations through a constructive process where agribusiness professionals provide feedback and recommendations.

The judges take a holistic approach to the feedback and award allocation process by evaluating the overall farm system, including water and soil, climate stewardship, biodiversity, waste management, people and wellbeing, business health, biosecurity and animal care.

After a successful introduction, Harris said the BFEA will again feature the Catchment Group section.

"This section will continue to showcase the great work being done by catchment groups throughout New Zealand, from our high country to the lowlands, uniting our rural and urban communities along the way," she said.

The Catchment Group Showcase recognises a rural community's efforts to improve water quality in local rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands.

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

The Catchment Group Showcase follows a similar format to the current BFEA national awards, with sector experts meeting with the Catchment Groups to hear their stories and assess the great work they are doing based on a range of criteria, including:

• The outcomes focus on identifying and prioritising risks and actions addressing water quality issues
• Their involvement in the local community, including iwi and youth
• The robustness of their monitoring and evaluation and use of expertise to inform the programme
• Their approach to other outcomes, such as soil, nutrients, climate and biodiversity

All groups are provided feedback from sector experts about their activities and potential areas of focus for the future as they continue their sustainability journey.

Entries for the awards close at the end of October, with farm visits in November and December.

Regional awards events take place in March and April 2024, providing a great forum to connect as an industry, share stories and celebrate the great work happening across the primary sector.

The Supreme Winner from each of the eleven regions involved in the awards is considered for the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the Trust's National Showcase at Claudelands in Hamilton on 20 June 2024.

The recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy then become 2024's National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing.

Entries can be made online at nzfeawards.org.nz