B+LNZ is a national sponsor of the Ballance Farm Environment Trust Awards run by the NZ Farm Environment Trust, they champion sustainable farming and growing. We're not just sponsors of the awards though; we’re actively involved in the judging process too.
Tom Orchiston, B+LNZ Environment Engagement Lead, took part in this year’s judging in the Otago region. He says it’s a great way to get involved, support farmers to learn from each other, and to help share our environmental farming success stories more broadly.
“Being a judge for the Ballance Farm Environment Trust Awards requires a good understanding of farm systems and the environmental risks and opportunities,” says Tom.
“It’s also important to be a good communicator - asking questions to help farmers share their environmental story, while listening and observing too. We work with other passionate rural stakeholders, so it’s a very much a collaborative effort.”
Judges come from a variety of backgrounds –such as farmers, farm consultants, rural bankers, vets, industry representatives, rural professionals, regional council staff, teachers, and scientists, who together bring a range of skills making for well-rounded and robust judging teams.
“I’ve been involved with judging since 2019, both as a first round and finalist judge,” he says.
“There are two rounds of judging that take place on the farm, with judges in the first round selecting the finalists, and judges in the second round determining the winners of each of the separate category awards for the region, along with the overall regional supreme winner. It’s all carried out in an open and interactive way with both farmers and judges having the opportunity to ask questions of each other. This process, along with a written report, provides farmers with valuable feedback about their farming business.”
“Otago is very fortunate to have the support of Camille McAtamney as a regional coordinator and Laura Lake as a judging coordinator, they make the process very smooth and manageable for the judges and entrants,” Tom adds.
“As a judge, I meet some amazing farmers and their families and hear their stories. It’s truly inspiring to see the wonderful work that farmers are doing every day on their farms to be environmentally sustainable and productive.”
Read more on the Ballance Farm Environment Awards website