For FMG clients Karen and Mick Williams, entering the Ballance Farm Environment Awards was about much more than recognition.
"It forces you to look at your business, the pros and cons of it," said Karen. "We generated a bit of a vision and purpose. What are we about and what do we want to achieve? If we hadn't entered the awards, we probably wouldn't have got round to it."
That opportunity to reflect, benchmark and learn is one of the reasons FMG is proud to be supporting the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for a second year. Run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, the Awards celebrate farmers and growers who are making a meaningful difference for their land, water and communities, while building sustainable and resilient businesses.
As a national sponsor, FMG supports the FMG Risk Management Award across all 12 regions, recognising those who take a proactive approach to identifying and managing risk across their businesses.
Karen and Mick won the Greater Wellington Region’s Supreme Award in 2013. More than a decade later, their involvement in the Awards continues to pay a dividend in many areas of their business.
One of the greatest benefits of entering wasn't the award itself, but the people they met along the way.
"You meet like-minded people who are all really passionate about their farming businesses, the people they work with, and what they're achieving on farm for the environment."
"It's the trifecta of environmental sustainability, people sustainability and financial sustainability," she says. "All three of those legs on the stool need to be strong. That's what the Ballance Farm Environment Awards really recognise."
The connections made throughout the process have lasted the distance too.
"You will stay connected to those people in some way forever."
Karen is also a strong advocate for others considering entering.
"It's not about perfection. No one has the perfect farm," she says. "You don't have to be the best farmer in the province, but you can still be recognised for your efforts."
Her advice is simple: "Do it. Even if your list is still long and you've got future ambitions and development goals, get involved, get the feedback from the judges, and that'll help shape where you want to go."
"We need to tell our story. I know that's so cliché, but it is absolutely true. It's about honest people doing good things on their farms."
For FMG, that's exactly why the partnership matters: recognising and celebrating the rural people who are continuously improving, managing risk and building stronger, more resilient businesses for the future.
Karen Williams is currently chief executive of Irrigation New Zealand. She is a trustee for the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust and was previously a client propositions manager for FMG.
