Two kiwifruit orchards, three dairy farms and a drystock farm have been named as finalists in the 2015 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards - the winners of which will be announced on February 27.

Award judges picture with entrants from Tataiwhetu Trust are: (back, from left) Terry Harding (judge), Te Aroha Teepa, Whare Teepa, Russell Whyte, Lester Deighton (judge). Front: Desma Feakins, Te Ihi Tihi, Paki Nikora and Margaret Wright (judge) at the Tauarau Marae.

The entrants are spread from across the region, from Katikati to Te Kaha, and Whakatane to Rotorua says Bay of Plenty awards judging co-ordinator Margaret Wright.

The finalists are: Hamama Kiwifruit Orchard, Opotiki; Stephen Kenna and Phillipa Wright, kiwifruit orchardists of Katikati; dairy farmers Corrie and Donna Smith of Edgecumbe; Tataiwhetu dairy farm, Ruatoki; Gerda and Geoff Bradly, dairy farmers of Manawahe and dry stock farmers Catherine and John Ford of Highland Station, Rotorua.

The prestigious awards are now firmly established and bring benefit to both those who enter and to the reputation of agriculture and horticulture, Margaret says.

'It has taken time for the awards to achieve this status,” she adds, 'but entrants are now telling us they are taking part not only because they believe it's important to showcase environmental farming practices, but also because they believe the awards are good for their business.”

This year dairying dominated the entry numbers, which Margaret says is impressive.

She says: 'This illustrates what those in the industry know – that the majority of farmers are doing an excellent job of managing both the environment and their farming business and that dairy farmers are fencing out waterways and controlling nutrient leaching on their properties.”

Margaret says it's also pleasing to see kiwifruit growers returning after the devastation of vine-killing disease Psa.

The awards have an even stronger focus than ever on financial as well as environmental sustainability of those who enter.

'We are not necessarily looking for the businesses which are the most financially successful,” explains Margaret, 'but the awards recognise that financial security enables people to implement environmental initiatives.

'Our six finalists this year all show financial tenacity and good management, which enables them to be economically sustainable and cope with the volatility which can arise in the primary sector.

'They all have a good understanding of the costs involved in their operations and are farming and orcharding in ways that are not at the expense of the environment.

'They are role models for others in the industry and also provide the ‘good news stories' which the wider public needs to hear about; what is really happening on the land.”

The dinner at the ASB Area, Mount Maunganui, is open to the public. There will be a guest speaker as well as presentations showcasing the finalists' properties.

Tickets cost $75 each for a three-course meal and wine, and can be purchased from: www.nzfeatrust.org.nz/ or by emailing co-ordinator Kirsten Winter at: [email protected]