The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast for the first time, with entries open now for 2027. New Zealand Farm Environment Trust general manager Sarah Harris says the Coast was one of only two regions the awards did not cover, the other being the top of the South Island.

“It’s a really special, unique region, and it should be celebrated with the other regions,” she says.

Entries close in about a month, with judging to follow and the awards night in February or March.

“You’re not ever going to be ready is my key takeaway.

“Even if you’re right at the beginning of your sustainability journey, enter.”

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.