For FMG clients James and Krista Franklin of Ā Mua Ltd, entering the Ballance Farm Environment Awards was an opportunity to gain valuable, independent feedback on their farming business.
“It’s not often you get the chance to have experienced rural professionals take the time to come on-farm, learn about your business and team, and provide free, valuable feedback about what you’re doing well and what improvements could be made to strengthen your business into the future,” says Krista.
What they gained from the overall experience was so much more than just the Awards element.
The Dargaville family farm received the Northland FMG Risk Management Award in 2026, alongside the Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award and Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award. The judges recognised their resilience, leadership and growth mindset following Cyclone Gabrielle.
As both farmers and growers, one of the greatest benefits was the support and recognition they received throughout the process.
“Sometimes that recognition goes astray, as most stoic farmers and growers can probably relate to. There’s always something to do on the growing to do list, and the ‘off-season’ seems to feel shorter every year. We rarely stop to celebrate where we are at because the goalposts keep shifting”.
Sharing their story was an uplifting experience, although Krista admits the Awards dinner was nerve-racking.
In 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle flooded their land and left them able to harvest only 16 percent of their kūmara crop, the recognition of how far they had come since then felt especially meaningful.
“Receiving that validation from the judges, entrants, sponsors and supporters on how far we’ve come since Cyclone Gabrielle gave us some much-needed motivation to keep doing what we love and striving towards our future goals.”
The recognition reflects a business that has rebuilt with purpose. Since the cyclone, James and Krista have diversified their operation, introduced garlic production and continued investing in sustainable farming practices and their team.
The Balance Farm Environment Award judges praised the Franklin’s outstanding leadership and unwavering growth mindset.
For FMG, that’s exactly why the partnership matters: recognising and celebrating rural people who are continuously improving, managing risk and building stronger, more resilient businesses for the future.
That opportunity to reflect, benchmark and learn is one of the reasons FMG is proud to support the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. 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.
