Merry
Christmas and all the best for 2006
from the
MAF Sustainable Farming Fund team
In this edition:
FUND MANAGER MOVES TO MINISTER'S OFFICE
SFF Manager, Kevin Steel, has accepted the position of
Private Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and
Forestry, Hon Jim Anderton. Kevin will take up the new
position in January 2006 for a term of three years.
Kevin has managed the Sustainable Farming Fund since
2000. He has had a significant influence in developing the
structures and systems of the fund, and taking the SFF to
where it is today. We will miss Kevin's expertise, and wish
him all the best in his new role.
The position of Fund Manager is currently being
advertised. Helen
Percy (phone 07 856 1811) will be acting Fund Manager
until the position has been filled.
2006/07 FUNDING ROUND
Remember: applications for
the 2006/07 funding round close on 13 February 2006.
Click here for more information about the
funding round, criteria for projects and how to apply.
Funding round timetable
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.
CITRUS INTEGRATED PEST
MANAGEMENT PROJECT
Congratulations to the project
team from the SFF project "Practical, Safe, and Effective IFP
Strategies for Citrus" for completing a highly successful
three year programme. The New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc
(NZCGI), with support from many industry players, and science
input from HortResearch, has greatly expanded the current
knowledge of citrus pests and diseases in New Zealand, and how
these can be managed in an integrated manner. The knowledge
developed from this project will assist the industry in moving
away from broad spectrum pesticide application to the use of
more specific "softer" chemicals and biological control
agents. The project has culminated in the production of a
grower manual, wall chart, and pest and disease field guide,
which were presented to citrus growers in regional meetings
during November.
The manual is available to
non-NZCGI members at a charge of $50.00 (+GST) to cover costs
and materials. For copies of the manual, contact NZCGI
executive manager, Nikki
Johnson (phone 09 917 7163).
Keith Pyle, NZ Citrus Growers Inc Technical
Advisor, checking for insects in his orchard. Keith
played a key role in the management of the SFF project.
Interested in finding out more?
Further information is available from the SFF website by
clicking here.
NORTHLAND PASTORAL FARMING
EXTENSION PROJECT
The Northland Pastoral Farming Development Group will be
hosting a conference entitled "Our Perfect Northland Pastures"
on Friday 24 February in the Bay of Islands. The focus will be
on the major farm activities that could improve Northland
pastures. Another objective of the conference is to identify
what Northland farmers consider are priority areas for
research, so that future investment into pastoral agriculture
research can be well targeted.
This conference is part of the Northland Pastoral Farming
Extension Project funded by the Sustainable Farming Fund. The
Northland Pastoral Farming Development Group recognised an
opportunity to increase pastoral productivity in Northland by
making the results of the research work accessible.
The project is:
- Providing a stocktake of the most relevant previous and
current pastoral research undertaken in Northland.
- Identifying and prioritising Northland farmer research
needs.
- Developing and disseminating popular summaries of past
and present research.
- Updating what extension material is available, plus what
current research is being carried out, on an annual basis.
For more information on the project, or for copies of
popular summaries and research stocktakes, click on the
website
http://www.enterprisenorthland.co.nz/dev_groups/pastoral/projects.htm
QUARTERLY REPORTS DUE 31
JANUARY 2006
Quarterly reports for the December quarter are due on 31
January 06. Remember to send in the signed request for
payment forms every quarter, even if you are
not claiming any grant money.
Please provide a short project update for the SFF website
every quarter. We are currently developing a search engine
for the website that will enable you to search through the
funded projects more easily: the search engine should go live
early in the new year!
ENDING
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Kind regards
Hai kona ra
Kevin, Amanda, Barrie, Fiona, Katherine and Helen
