Castle Ridge Station crowned Canterbury’s top environmental farming business

Castle Ridge Station’s Paul and Kerry Harmer after being named Canterbury Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Supplied

Castle Ridge Station’s Kerry Harmer says she and her family were “blown away” to be named the Canterbury Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards on March 5.

“We were pretty overwhelmed,” she says. “We don’t really think we’re doing anything amazing. We just do what we think is right for us and for the place. So, to be recognised like that was pretty amazing.”

Harmer says the strength of the other finalists made the result even more surprising.

“The calibre of the other finalists was awesome. I can’t take anything away from anybody else – the things all those other finalists are doing on farm are fantastic. We certainly didn’t expect to be at the top of the order because everyone was doing incredible stuff.”

One of the highlights of the night was the chance to connect with farmers from different sectors and systems.

“It was a really good opportunity to meet people you wouldn’t normally cross paths with.

“That’s one of the really cool parts of this competition – the connections and networks you build.”

Castle Ridge will now represent Canterbury at the National Showcase later this year, something Harmer admits comes with a few nerves.

“To be honest, we’re a little nervous,” she says with a laugh. “We’re not really limelight-type people. The field day we can handle, but the next step is a bit daunting.

“But we’re excited to represent Canterbury and hopefully shed some positive light on what’s going on in the back of the hills – the things people don’t necessarily see.”

Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards Supreme Winners Paul and Kerry Harmer, Castle Ridge Station, pictured with last year’s winners Stuart and Tracey Neill.

Harmer believes the awards play an important role in telling farming’s story beyond the farm gate.

“It’s about getting the story out there about the things that are happening on farms. “When you look at all the finalists, the variety of technology and approaches they’re using to deal with environmental challenges is incredible.

“But the common thread is that every single one of them is passionate about looking after what they have.”

She says the judging process was also a valuable experience.

“The judging panels were amazing. They were genuinely interested in your business, and they made you feel very at ease.

“Afterwards we got a really detailed feedback sheet. It wasn’t just what they liked about the property, it also gave ideas about things we could look at going forward. That outside perspective is really valuable.”

For Harmer, the awards highlight the shared values across very different farming systems.

“The businesses are all so different, but the values are the same. Everyone cares about their people, their teams and the resources they manage. Everyone is thinking about the future and their place in the world.

“At the end of the day it comes back to stewardship – looking after the resources that make up your business.”

Castle Ridge Station also took out four category awards on the night: the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award, the Ministry for the Environment Biodiversity Award, the Environment Canterbury Water Quality Award and the WaterForce Safe Water Recognition Award.

Other category winners included:

• Mike Arnold, LeaderBrand South Island Ltd – Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award, Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award, Hill Labs Agri-Science Award and the Norwood Farming Efficiency Award.

• Ben and Wendy Croft, Windale Dairy Ltd – DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award.

• Baden and Campbell Sommerville, Somerview Farm – Norwood Farming Efficiency Award and Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award.

• Andrew and Amy Darling, Adar Farming Ltd – FMG Award.

• Stuart and Sara Russell, Ngatimaru Farming Company – Innovation Award.

Mid Canterbury Catchment Collective representatives Garry Brown, Angela Cushnie and Guy Polson (Tavendale and Partners) after the group won the Catchment Group Showcase.

The evening also recognised the Mid Canterbury Catchment Collective, which won the Catchment Group Showcase.

 Formed in 2021, the collective now connects more than 200 members across 10 catchment groups spanning from the Southern Alps to the coast between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers.

The collective is working to improve freshwater outcomes through initiatives such as GIS mapping, stream health assessments and environmental DNA testing, alongside practical projects including planting and pest control.

The initiative highlights how farmer-led collaboration at a catchment level can deliver measurable environmental improvements while supporting a productive farming region.