27 November 2000 Farmer of Year organic finalists cover broad spectrum

"Diversity is the name of the game in organic production and the finalists for this year's Lincoln University Foundation/Rabobank Farmer of the Year Competition are certainly diversified," says Co-ordinating Judge Neil Gow.

"This year's category for the competition, Organic Farming, has led to a varied group of finalists, from farmers producing organic vegetables through to producers of organic venison, so we are covering a wide field."

The public are invited to hear the finalists present their farming philosophies at Lincoln University on Tuesday 12 December starting at 9.30 am. The event will be sign-posted from the roundabout on Springs Road by the University.

These public presentations are the final leg of the judging process which has already included on-farm inspections by Mr Gow and his judges. At stake is a first prize of a travel scholarship worth $7500 and runners-up awards valued at $3000 and $2000.

The finalists, in alphabetical order, are –

Ian Blackmore, Totara Valley, Pleasant Point, South Canterbury

Ian has a background in YFC, Federated Farmers and on the local Deer Farmers' Committee. He is on the South Canterbury Farm Forestry Committee and has won two awards recently in relation to farm forestry. His property ‘Centre Hill’, covers 177 hectares and is on Timaru clay, Waimakiriri and Templeton soils with 60 hectares spray irrigated. The certifying agency is Bio­-Gro. Ian farms a mixture of 120 cattle, a few Drysdale sheep and 350 red deer and in addition grows potatoes, squash and carrots for export, although some potatoes are used locally. His philosophy at ‘Centre Hill’ is to farm as simply as possible without compromising quality. The farm has been organic for the past 12 years and Ian feels it is now in an excellent position to capitalise on the increasing organic market.

Andrew Brooker, Aylesbury, Canterbury

Andrew farms at Aylesbury, west of Christchurch. He has been a member of the YFC and is a past chairman of the South Island Agricultural Field Days. He won a ‘Better Farming Award’ in 1990. Andrew's farm covers 452 hectares with 180 hectares Bio-Grow and Certnz registered. The soils are Chertsey and Lismore soils. Currently the organic production of the farm is peas, linseed, wheat, barley, carrots, onions and potatoes and organic lambs. Andrew is concentrating on the export market. He regards the organic section of the farm as fitting in well with the conventionally farmed section and the contracting business which he runs in conjunction with both.

Tim Chamberlain, Leeston, Canterbury

Tim farms at Lakeside, Leeston. A Kellogg Rural Leadership Scholar in 1994, he farms 160 hectares of Temuka silt loam in a Bio-Gro certified operation. The whole 160 hectares is spray irrigated and he grows a wide variety of organic crops and vegetables and produces organic lambs. He concentrates on the local market and sells directly to the consumer. His philosophy is to use innovative production methods and aim at holding costs. Tim is keen on sports such as squash, golf and sailing and is actively involved in the Canterbury organic scene.

Peter & Joy McLeod, West Melton, Canterbury

Both are involved with sport in their local community. Peter is a school teacher and farmer, Joy is a Bio-Gro auditor and farmer. The McLeods farm eight hectares of Bio-Gro registered Waimakiriri sandy loam soils at West Melton. They say that the soils can grow anything provided they are irrigated and have adequate organic matter, however as they are subject to wind blow very little cultivation is undertaken. The production on the unit is organic chickens, nashi pears and tart cherries. The McLeods produce organic chickens under free range conditions with no antibiotics, growth promotants, artificial vitamins or other such products used. The chickens and the orchard operation work in together as the trees provide shelter for the chickens and the chickens provide nutrients for the trees. Initially the market was low for organic chickens however they say that consumers are now "knocking at the door".

Ian Sloane, Wyndham, Southland

Ian is involved with a wide range of activities in the Wyndham district and has had terms as both secretary and president of the Southern Organic Group since its inception in 1990. In 1999 his farm won a Southland Regional Council Environmental Award. The farm is on 263 hectares of Kaiwera silt loams, with 188 hectares fully organic with Bio-Gro certification and 75 hectares in transition. The operation produces organic milk, beef and lamb products.

Ian has been farming organically for the past 28 years but he says that the demand for organic milk and meat products has only increased recently. He is a firm believer in a holistic approach to farming and is very strong on animal welfare.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand