Last night at the Wanaka A&P Show, the Otago Daily Times and Rural Life launched Year of the Farmer, a celebration of the South Island’s farmers and growers.
Chatto Creek farmer Matt Chisholm -also known as a television personality -talked about his passion for his own patch of pasture, appropriately called The Land, where he has a Southdown sheep stud.
Rural communities and groups are being asked to nominate their rural champions.
We are on the hunt for South Island farmers or growers who demonstrate environmental, economic and social sustainability and make a positive contribution to their rural community.
The winner, to be announced in October, will receive a prize package which includes the ultimate Wanaka experience -in conjunction with the Wanaka A&P Show -and more than $10,000 worth of prizes.
Allied Press group advertising manager Paul Dwyer said the company partnered with the Wanaka show to launch Year of the Farmer at their sponsorship function.
Year of the Farmer had received a "fantastic’’ response from the agri-business community in the first few days since the initiative was publicly announced and one of its major sponsors, RD Petroleum, had already signed up.
Show-goers in Wanaka can make nominations today at the Otago Daily Times stand, near the entertainment stage, and go into the draw for a prize, or nominations can be made online at www.odt.co.nz/rural-life/yotf. Nominations close on April 28.
