The winners will be named on March 22.
The Pyramid is in contention for the Federated Farmers Award for sheep and beef entries.
The operation includes a triplet-ewe indoor lambing system, Jersey bulls for the dairy industry and an apiary.
Fifteen percent of the farm is in forestry with waste wood going to a family firewood business. A 50-hectare sauvignon blanc vineyard has recently been established.
Other entrants include projects ranging from steam cleaning of wine barrels to harvesting invasive seaweed to make fertiliser.
There are 24 entrants across the marine, farming, forestry, wine industry, landscape and habitat enhancement, community innovation and business innovation categories. The awards will be followed by public field days at the winners’ properties to showcase their efforts and inspire others.
Chris Dawkins has already received the judge’s feedback and described the judging process as a valuable experience.
“To have an independent critique of our operation and a comprehensive judging report was an added bonus.”
The Cawthron Awards are different from other New Zealand environmental awards in that they cover a range of industries and community projects. The field day at the 2017 Farming Award winner, Muller Station, Awatere Valley, attracted 160 people.
Business commentator Rod Oram, who has a strong interest in environmental sustainability, will be the guest speaker at the dinner. Tickets cost $80 and are available at www.cmea.org.nz.
