The future of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards looks even brighter following the announcement that Ballance Agri-Nutrients has renewed its sponsorship for another three years.
David Natzke, general manager of the New Zealand Farm Environment Award Trust, says Ballance’s continued commitment as naming sponsor is great news for a programme that promotes sustainable profitable farming.
“Ballance has made a significant contribution to the success of the Awards over the years and the Trust really values the confidence the company has shown in continuing its commitment.”
Recognised as one of New Zealand’s most prestigious farming events, the Awards celebrate those people farming in a manner that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.
The Awards now have significant brand recognition throughout the country and the announcement of Ballance’s continued sponsorship comes as the programme enters its 2009 award season. Mr Natzke says entry numbers across the country were up on the previous year and the standard was again very high.
Winners of the Bay of Plenty region Awards have already been announced and the other seven participating regions will name their winners during March and April.
As well as Ballance, the success of the awards is underpinned by other valued sponsors – Silver Fern Farms, LIC, Gallagher Group, Hill Laboratories and PGG Wrightson – and partnerships formed with key industry organisations such as MAF, Fonterra, Dairy NZ and the QEII National Trust.
The Awards also receive considerable support from regional councils, including Environment Waikato, Environment Bay of Plenty, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Horizons Regional Council, Environment Canterbury, Otago Regional Council and the Northland Regional Council.
