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Dear all He mihi nui ki a koutou In this edition:
Seventy six new projects - covering a diverse range of topics -
will be receiving funding from the Sustainable Farming Fund from the
2005/06 funding round. A list of the new projects is available on
the SFF website under "Funded Projects" or by clicking here:
More details about individual projects will be available on the
SFF website once the projects have been contracted over the next 1 -
2 months.
... AND FOR THOSE GROUPS WHO ARE APPLYING INTO THE NEXT SFF ROUND
(2006/07)
Here are the key dates for the 2006/07 funding round:
- Early October 2005 : Funding round launched
- 13 February 2006: Phase 1 applications close
- Early April 2006: Applicants for funds of over $20,000
advised whether proceeding to Phase 2 (or not)
- May 2006: Applicants for funds of $20,000 or less
advised whether successful (or not)
- Early May 2006: Phase 2 (full proposals) applications close
- Mid June 2006: Phase 2 results announced.
- July- August 2006: Contracts completed and projects commence
Further details (including guidelines and application forms) will
be available on the SFF website over the next few months. Groups
that are interested in appying for funding in the next round are
urged to contact the SFF project advisor in their region (Click
here for SFF contacts).
SFF PROJECT PROFILE - CLOVER UP GROUP
The role of white clover in today's farming systems
A group of 16 Manawatu farmers, with the assistance of AgResearch
scientist Dr John Brock, has gained a better understanding of why
white clover is under-performing on most farms.
The group's main objective was to identify ways of improving the
establishment and persistence of white clover.
The project quite clearly identifed the need for better seed bed
preparation, as well as the need for very careful clover management
in the first growing year. It also showed that with the increasing
use of nitrogen, and an emphasis on "grass farming" rather than
"mixed pasture" farming, white clover establishment is not so
readily achievable as it was in the past. This was particularly the
case on dairy farms where the late winter feed wedge over calving
precludes the chance of white clover establishing.
The final report concludes: "with the current techniques of
fertiliser N use, rapid establishing ryegrasses, and the minimum
tillage establishment, the ability of white clover to contribute has
been compromised and the role or place for it in modern farming has
now been brought into question and its use is at a cross-roads."
Interested in finding out more? The full report of this project -
including trial results - is available in pdf form from the SFF
website by
clicking here.
GREEN RIBBON AWARD FOR SFF PROJECT MANAGER
Congratulations to Rotorua deer farmer, John Paterson, who was
awarded the Minister for the Environment's Green Ribbon Award for
Rural Sustainability in a parliamentary awards ceremony on June 9.
John has been leading the "Best Practice Land Management Systems
for Deer Farming" project on behalf of the NZ Deer Farmers
Association.
A major part of the project, was developing a practical Landcare
Manual for deer farmers. The intent of the manual is to "describe
current best practice methods enabling deer farmers to meet any
statutory, market and ethical requirements for the long-term
environmental sustainability of their deer farming operations".
The manual pulls together the experiences of deer farmers around
the country. However, as John pointed out in his Green Ribbon
acceptance speech, the project was far more than just producing a
document. "It was about cultivating receptivity to new ideas
amongst farmers en masse, and leading to changed practices that
would result in cleaner streams and improved soil and water
quality." The involvement in the deer farmers in 'finding
solutions' was a big part of the project's success.
The highly successful nationwide Deer Farmers' Environmental
Awards were also initiated through the project. Now into its 4th
year, the awards programme is self-sustaining through Deer Industry
NZ.
The New Zealand Deer Farmer's Landcare Manual has been
distributed free of charge to all deer farmers and key
contributors. Copies are available from the NZ Deer Farmers
Association and Deer Industry NZ, PO Box 10-702, Wellington. Phone
04 473 4500 or email
reception@deernz.org.nz
Interested in finding out more? More information about this
project is available on the SFF website by
clicking here.
SFF PROJECT PROFILE - CHESTNUT NUTRITION SURVEY
Chestnuts are a valuble export, local market and processing crop
grown throughout New Zealand. However, up until recently, very
little was known about the nutritional requirements of chestnut
trees. With a grant of $10,000 from the Sustainable Farming Fund,
the NZ Chestnut Council undertook an analysis of soil, leaves, and
nuts from sample trees around the country.
In the words of Project Manager, Ray Knowles, in an article in "Chestnutz
News":
"The aim was to see if there were any major differences in the
mineral composition of the soil, leaves, and nuts that could explain
the difference in tree performance between them. This work has
enabled accurate data to be obtained for the first time ever, on the
exact amount of nutrient minerals that are lost each year from the
orchard by the removal of nuts for sale. These figures can now, for
the first time, provide the basis for future fertiliser programmes
based on actual factual data: an industry milestone."
Interested in finding out more?
More information about this project, including detailed report
and project results, is available on the SFF website by
clicking here.
Enrolments are now open for aspiring leaders to join up to the
newly-accredited the Rural Leadership Development Programme (RLDP).
The Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre is offering the
Certificate in Rural Leadership (worth 53 credits) throughout New
Zealand. This is an ideal course for both employees and employers in
the agribusiness sector.
"The RLDP's main objective is to up-skill people in the industry so
they have the experience and confidence to participate in leadership
roles in their workplaces and communities. It is tailored to meet
the needs of New Zealand's rural sector (in its broadest sense),"
says programme manager Nicola Holmes.
Run over an 8-9 month period involving monthly one-day group
workshops, the Stepping Stones to Leadership modules cover:
- Understanding Ourselves as Leaders;
- Communication Skills;
- Presentation Skills;
- Group Leadership Skills;
- People Skills;
- Personal Development;
- Strategic Planning; and
- Marketing & Promotion.
Nicola says, "The RLDP is designed so all the students work and
learn together doing a range of activities in which they learn
through their experiences - we aim to keep sitting around a table to
a minimum! Students develop new friendships and a better
understanding of others."
A resource folder is provided to each student to be retained as a
valuable reference throughout their lives.
A MAF Sustainable Farming Fund grant has supported the
establishment of the RLDP. Agriculture ITO and Taratahi have also
provided strong support, with the RLDP complementing their practical
farming courses.
For a registration flyer please contact: Nicola Holmes, on 03 465
1278/ 027 232 7578 or by email
nicolaholmes@xtra.co.nz or ring Taratahi on 0800 827 282.
ACT NOW - Enrolments for 2005 close on Wednesday, 20 July for
courses to begin in August/September 2005 in your region.
The next course is planned to commence in March 2006.
Interested in finding out more?
More information about this project is available on the SFF website
by
clicking here.
NEW ZEALAND FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARD TRUST E-MAIL NEWSLETTER
The NZ Farm Environment Award Trust - through their Sustainable
Farming Fund project "Learning From Leaders" - is producing an email
newsletter called LandLine. Landline is designed to update project
partners (and others with an interest in sustainable farming) on key
achievements, events, and good news stories.
Click here
to view the newsletter. You can subscribe
to Landline by
clicking here.
ENDING
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Kind regards
Hai kona ra
Kevin, Amanda, Barrie, Fiona, Katherine and Helen |
