Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

Recognising and celebrating success is always nice, but sharing the success is where the real rewards kick in. This week I had the opportunity to attend an open day at the orchard of the supreme award winners of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

These awards recognise farmers or horticulturalists who pursue good environmental practice, and Mavis and Graham Dyer and their family at the Bay Park Orchard at Ruahihi not only won the supreme award, but also a suite of other awards for their efforts.

On a glorious sunny day, a host of interested people were treated to a tour of the orchard and the Dyers shared their experiences and their successes with other growers, industry professionals and people like me who were interested to learn about what is happening in our region to fuel our economy. There was a lot to learn. The Dyers are very successful kiwifruit growers, producing high grade Green and Gold kiwifruit while utilising innovative management strategies and new technologies as they become available. They also grow one of the new kiwifruit cultivars – a Gold variety which promises to meet a demonstrated need in overseas markets. Most exciting to me was the fact that the cultivar may not need hicane spray. The orchard further reflects innovation in the groves of ginkgo biloba trees being cultivated for their leaves and nuts. This long term experimental venture is aimed at the Asian market where ginkgo nuts are sought after for food and their medicinal properties.

But it was not so much what they were doing, but the way they were doing it which was so inspirational. Relationships are key – within the family, but also with their workers, their industry and research partners, and with their customers in international markets. Their business is an international one, built on long-standing relationships and innovation. However, it is also based on the recognition of the value of natural resources and the rich environmental heritage which we share. From the impressive collection of kauri trees sourced from all over the world to the development of a picturesque wetland which doubles as a frost protection storage pond – sustainability is key to the way things are done.

Just as noteworthy as the orchard was the people I had the opportunity to talk to as we made our way through the property. Our region is full of people doing interesting things and it was a real privilege and treat to have the time to hear about the good things that are happening.

If you have any views on this or any other issue, please contact me on neesj@xtra.co.nz or ring me on 07 579 5150. Or you can visit www.janenees.co.nz