Three more days for final Farmer of the Year applicants
Farmers in NSW have been granted three more days to apply for the 2009 Farmer and Young Farmer of the Year Awards.
NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald and NSW Farmers’ Association President Jock Laurie today announced an extension until this Friday 19 June, and issued a final call for applicants - especially from younger farmers.
"Time is quickly running out for farmers to nominate themselves or another farmer - be it a friend, family member or neighbour - for this Award," Minister Macdonald said.
"This is a great opportunity to acknowledge the hard work put in by our farmers, and to highlight their innovation and management abilities, especially within our up and coming producers."
NSW Farmers’ Association President Jock Laurie said the Awards help acknowledge agricultural excellence, with a particular emphasis on farm profitability and environmental sustainability.
"We are encouraging entries from a broad spectrum of primary producers, and are hoping this year’s Awards will attract the same high calibre of entries as the past five years," Mr Laurie said.
The successful Farmer of the Year will be awarded $10,000, while the Young Farmer of the Year will take home $5,000.
Both awards will be judged on four key criteria:
- Farm Management: the achievement of profitability and sustainability
- Innovation: use of innovation and agricultural research
- Financial Management: application of financial and risk management systems
- Community Leadership: involvement in the local community.
The deadline for applications is this Friday 19 June 2009. The winners will be announced at the NSW Farmers’ Association Annual Conference gala dinner in July.
Application forms are available from the NSW Farmers’ Association and NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) websites (www.nswfarmers.org.au and www.dpi.nsw.gov.au). Entries must be posted to NSW DPI or emailed to trudy.glasgow@dpi.nsw.gov.au by 5pm this Friday.
Media contacts (for more information, or to request an application form):
- Trudy Glasgow (for Minister Macdonald) 0427 217 354
- Ruth Redfern (for NSW Farmers’ Association) 0429 990 218
More information
Media contact: Trudy Glasgow 0427 217 354