Four weeks to go for Innovation in Agriculture Awards entries

JUST four weeks remain for farmers to get their nominations in for the National Farmers’ Federation’s (NFF) 2010 Innovation in Agriculture Awards. “The Awards recognise and encourage excellence in farming but, more than that, provide an important platform to demonstrate and showcase what today’s farmers are all about,” NFF President David Crombie said. The NFF developed the Awards in 2009 as part of its highly successful National Congress to celebrate the pioneering advances and outstanding contributions made by Australian farmers in three contemporary and relevant categories: Sustainability, Value Adding and New Technology. “This is a great opportunity for farmers to get involved in presenting the modern face of their industry,” Mr Crombie said. “Australians value our farmers. In fact, 94% of metropolitan Australians recognise our farmers for their economic importance to the nation and their positive contribution to sound environmental management. “But our research does throw up one hurdle. Not surprisingly, city people struggle to get a handle on what exactly it is that modern farmers do to achieve these fantastic outcomes. These Awards provide the platform illustrate what farmers are all about. “The Awards nomination process is not onerous or overly time consuming. I strongly urge farmers go online to get the Awards entry info and get involved.” The Awards cover three categories: * Sustainability; * Value Adding; and * New Technology. Farmers may nominate themselves or be nominated by their NFF member organisation. The http://congress.nff.org.au/awards.html[2010 Innovation in Agriculture Awards Entry Guide] provides details and examples on each Award, the criteria for entry and guidance on application format. Nominations close Monday 31 May 2010. The Awards will be announced and presented at the Gala Dinner of the NFF 2010 National Congress at The Grand Hyatt in Melbourne on the evening of Monday 6 September 2010. [ENDS]