Mid Canterbury arable farmers Matt and Heidi Hart from Longlane Farm would have needed the farm ute to carry home the raft of awards they picked up at the 2025 Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

The Harts, who farm in Rakaia for the Pye Group, were among five regional finalists when the category awards and supreme winner were announced at a dinner event in Christchurch on March 6.

The couple walked away with five awards – the Balance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award, The Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award, the Hill Laboratories Agri-Science Award, the Norwood Farming Efficiency Award and the Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award.

"I'm just rapt to represent the rural community and get a positive story out there," Matt Hart said.

"It's the work we have done over the last twenty-five years that has been shown tonight, and we are really happy about that."

Matt took over the management of Longlane Farm in 2003 and has since placed a strong emphasis on soil health.

Under his leadership, the farm has undergone a significant transformation, shifting from a mixed cropping and lamb-finishing operation to one with improved crop yields, higher quality produce, and a reduced environmental footprint.

Today, around 25% of Longlane’s sown area is dedicated to vegetable production, with the remaining land used to grow cereals and ryegrass.

Their main crops include potatoes, juicing carrots, wheat, barley, ryegrass, and peas.

Hart describes the preparation for the awards as "intense', but said the judging process was relaxed.

"Getting the paperwork and preparing for the judges was intense, but the judging process was great."

Hart said it was important for farmers to step into the limelight and get the positive stories out there, and he encourages farmers to enter the awards.

"It's important to get good stories out there with all the negative exposure.

"Get into it. Put yourself out there.

"It's pretty uncomfortable putting your hand up for a start, but once you are in it, it's a great process, and I'd recommend it to anyone."

The supreme award of the evening went to Culverden dairy farmer Stuart Neill, who also won the DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award, the Environment Canterbury Water Quality Award, and the FMG Risk Management Award.

Cheviot farmer Will Wilding of Te Mania Angus won the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Award, the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZEFT) Biodiversity Award, and the NZFET Innovation Award.

James and Samar Wright from Forest Creek Station in the Rangitata Gorge took home the NZFET Climate Recognition Award.

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards, run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, highlight and celebrate sustainable farming practices.

Neill will now join the supreme winners from the other nine regions involved in the awards to be considered for the prestigious Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the Trust’s National Showcase in Wellington this June.

The recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy will be named the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing.

By Claire Inkson