6 March 1986 Annual Farmer of the Year awards seeks entries from horticulturists

South Island horticulturists are being invited to enter for the Lincoln College Foundation annual Farmer of the Year Award in which the winner will have to show the best horticultural and financial management over the last five years.

This is the fourth year of the award, and the first time horticulturists only have been invited to become the South Island Farmer of the Year.

The first award was for irrigation farming, the second for those on their own farm for less than five years, and last year for the best use of capital and resources.

Winner of the award will be announced at the Lincoln College Farmers Conference, being held at Blenheim on June 24 and 25.Sir William Dunlop, chairman of the Lincoln College Foundation, said having the award for horticulturists this year was appropriate as the farmers conference was being held in a horticultural region.

Horticulture was also relevant to present conditions in primary industry.

"This year, for the first time, managers who have some degree of financial control, are eligible to enter for the award,"he said.

The Farmer of the Year Award carries a $5000 prize to be used for an overseas study tour.

A consideration in granting the award is that the winner will benefit from study overseas.

The travel award has to be taken up within 15 months; the winner reports to the trustees within three months of returning from overseas.

Intention of the award is to recognise outstanding and innovative farmers who are providing leadership in farming.

All those entering the award will have their farms inspected by a three-man judging panel.

After that a group of finalists will be selected by the trustees of the foundation.

Finalists will have to present papers about their farms at the conference at Blenheim.

The farmers conference at Blenheim is being planned by farmers, growers and staff of MAF and commercial organisations in Marlborough and Nelson.

There will be special sections at the conference for horticulturists, dairy farmers and pastoralists.

Further information from Mr Don Crabb,Rural Development and Extension Centre, Lincoln College 8150