A broad approach to environment
OPINION: As an on-farm judge for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for many years, I’ve witnessed first-hand how dramatically New Zealand agriculture and horticulture has transformed over the past three decades.
The Pages own Tahere Farm near Whangarei in the Pataua North district. Previously a run-down unit, the couple spent many years developing the 162ha farm into a model of sustainability. With the whole title area under QEII National Trust covenant, BFEA judges say Tahere is like a privately owned regional park, farmed in the public interest.
"By entering an open space covenant, Ian and Sandy have invited the world to share their dreams."
Tahere has about 62ha of indigenous forest. Another 59ha runs sheep and beef and the balance is in production forestry.
Ian, a professional forester, and Sandy, a retired physiotherapist, began planting pine trees on the steeper erosion-prone contour in 1983.
"We both had careers off-farm, so we planted it in manageable chunks of about 4-6ha a year," says Sandy.
The trees are now providing valuable income. BFEA judges also praised the impressive riparian planting on the property, which led to a significant improvement in water quality.
Sandy says they were "humbled" to pick up three category awards in the 2015 BFEA, including the PGG Wrightson Land and Life Award, which focuses on the all-important 'people-side' of the farming business.
The Pages says they love sharing the farm with others, so winning the PGG Wrightson award was a nice acknowledgement of their efforts to open up the farm to visitors.
"We are both very fond of the farm. Ian reckons he wants to leave here in a box."
Sandy says they were persuaded to enter the BFEA by neighbours.
"We've had friends who have been involved in the competition before, so we knew a bit about it and they also recommended we enter."
She describes their involvement in the competition as a very positive experience.
"The judging process was enjoyable, and the judges made it easy for us to talk about the farm and what we've been trying to achieve. As a professional forester, Ian sees it as his job to look after the land and so it was gratifying to get such great feedback from the judges. "
"We got to meet a range of different people, and we very much enjoyed attending the field day on the Supreme-winning farm."
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are open to all farmers and horticulturists. Entries for the 2016 Northland BFEA close on October 31, 2015.
