The Waterloo-Wellington chapter of the National Farmers Union (NFU) invites nominations for the Sustainable Farming Awards 2013, which celebrate sustainable farming practices.
The awards are open to all farmers in Waterloo and Wellington counties.
Nominations are open to all farmers for awards in three categories: sustainable farming, barn preservation and future farmer.
The Sustainable Farming Award is presented to a farmer or farm family who:
– works in concert with natural ecosystems, enhancing wildlife sanctuaries and looking to the future with sustainability as the foremost objective;
– works cooperatively with neighbours and other farmers and acts as a mentor to others wishing to farm in the future;
– is responsible for inaugurating on-farm or off-farm projects geared towards sustainability; and
– initiates innovative forms of farming with the goal of providing an adequate supply of safe, nutritious food for Canadians.
The Future Farmer Award was created to acknowledge and celebrate the future of farming in our community.
As many people are choosing to leave the farm for other career paths, there is a dedicated group of beginning farmers of all ages who are finding new and innovative ways to make a living and a lifestyle from farming. The award is presented to a person who is:
– engaged in some form of farming education, whether it be a formal college or university program, an apprenticeship, or involvement in the family farm;
– planning to make a living from farming;
– committed to farming using sustainable methods; and
– not yet fully established in his or her farming career.
The Barn Preservation Award is presented to a property owner who has preserved and/or restored a barn meeting the following criteria:
– barn should be pre -1950’s and of any style;
– exterior must exist in close to original form;
– work on barn done to keep it for practical and continued farm use;
– work to be done in a manner as to keep it as close as possible to the original style and appearance;
– have a pictorial record of before and after restoration, if possible; and
– retain old equipment, i.e. pulleys, winches, etc. (if possible in working order) and such items as feed chutes, etc.
Nominations must be submitted before Sept. 30.
The awards will be presented during the 4th annual awards banquet in Spring 2013.
For a nomination form or to learn more about the process, visit www.nfuontario.ca/340 or contact John Sutherland at 519- 855-4651 or by email at jjsutherland@sympatico.ca.
