Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Innovation and diversification sees Peter Rensen of Utopia Nurseries take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Auckland Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

His 18ha (8ha effective) Pukekohe nursery produces orchids, chrysanthemums and ruscus greenery, as well as miscanthus, which is grown and processed for potentially heating greenhouses in future.

Te Puke beef farmers Blair Linton, Linda Ellison and Robert Linton of Te Ranga Farms take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

The family behind Te Ranga Farms is focused on optimising the farming system, while protecting and enhancing its natural beauty and freshwater.

A diverse, multi-generational farming operation sees the Guild and Dunbar families of High Peak Station take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

High Peak Station has traditional farm roots, however it has diversified in recent years to include a wide range of income streams enhanced with added value.

Innovation and forward thinking sees multi-generational farming family take out the Regional Supreme Award at the East Coast Ballance Farm Environment. Awards

Simon & Josi Beamish and Hugo & Pip Beamish of Awapai have been announced as Regional Supreme Winners at the East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Gisborne this evening.

Entrepreneurial dairy farmers James & Debbie, and Dave & Jan Stewart of Stewart Dairylands take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Stewart Dairylands was established in 1999, however five generations of Stewarts have farmed and expanded the legacy business that was started in 1886. Guided by a strong sense of family history, the Stewarts see the land as a precious commodity that the family should continue treating carefully so it’s in a better shape for the next generation.

All-round excellence in sustainability earns Andy and Gemma Phillips of Motumatai the Regional Supreme Award at the Greater Wellington Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Motumatai has been in Gemma’s family since 1914, with the couple farming the property since 2009. After purchasing the sheep and beef farm in 2017, they have focused on both lifting livestock production and enhancing the property’s natural beauty.

A culture of pride, connection and community sees Oromahoe Trust, managed by Dean Candy, named the Regional Supreme Winner at the Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

The award recognises the significance of the Trust’s underlying mission, which is to protect and look after the land for future generations.

Innovative and dedication sees Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Angus and Tara have been managing The Wandle since 2020, and are focused on producing quality over quantity while caring for the land. This sheep and cattle, breeding and finishing operation uses a flexible cropping and re–grassing system.

Financial and environmental stewardship sees the Miller family of Roslyn Downs take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

The 1,034ha dairy, sheep and beef operation is led by brothers Jason and Quentin Miller, along with Jason’s son Andrew. The original 149ha farm has been in the Miller family since 1960, with the dairy farm added to the operation when Andrew and his wife Rachel joined the business in 2019.

Leadership and community-based action sees Alastair and Ann Reeves of Reeves Farms take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Alastair and Ann have developed a highly resilient farming business that is profitable while enhancing the surrounding environment. Reeves Farms has been in the family for more than 90 years, with Alastair and Ann being the fourth generation to farm it.