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Home / New Zealand

Award for green focused couple

By Kelli Hooks; kelli.hooks@age.co.nz
Wairarapa Times-Age·
29 Apr, 2013 07:27 PM2 mins to read

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An innovative and environmental Carterton couple have won the Supreme Award in the 2013 Greater Wellington Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

The annual awards give farmers and lifestylers around the country the opportunity to find out how well they are sustaining their land.

Wairarapa farmers Michael and Karen Williams received the award at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) ceremony, this month, for their 224ha, lamb finishing and beef unit, Ahiaruhe Farm.

Mr Williams said they were not expecting the award.

"We were surprised that we won, considering the calibre of the other entrants," he said.

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The Williams family partnership purchased the original 64ha block in the Gladstone district, east of Carterton, in 1999, and the couple have been farming under their own name since 2009.

The farm size was increased through the purchase of neighbouring land.

Mr Williams said their two major concerns were looking after water quality and soil health.

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"Looking after the soil is important because that's what the farms all about, the soil," Mr Williams said.

"We farm the way that we do because we enjoy it and we think it's the right thing to do."

The couple have worked to preserve non-cultivable flood channels into planted riparian zones.

A riparian zone is the interface between land and a river or a stream.

"We've fenced off a couple of kilometres of wetland drain-type area, we've removed willows and are in the process of planting the riparian edges with natives," Mr Williams said.

BFEA judges said Ahiaruhe Farm was a well-organised business run by an inspirational young couple.

"The Williams have immense passion for their farming operation, applying considerable business acumen to everyday decisions.

"They are innovative, hardworking and work as a team to bring their practical farming and business/financial skills together to achieve top results," a judge said.

The judges said the Williams focus on maximising production but not at the cost of their natural resources.

"Their operation generates exceptional production and revenue per hectare, with excellent crop yields achieved through meticulous planning and management."

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They also noted their strong community involvement.

A BFEA field day will be held on Ahiaruhe Farm, on May 15, at 1pm.

The field day will include stops around the farm to discuss different techniques.

The Williams were also awarded the Ballance Agri-Nutrients-Nutrient Management Award and the Hill Laboratories Harvest Award.

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