The new Lamb Programme asks sheep farmers to join dairy farmers to support people with intellectual disabilities and their families in rural communities.
IHC national fundraising manager Greg Millar said the Calf and Rural Scheme was hit hard last year by M bovis, losing half its usual income in what was an incredibly difficult year for many dairy farmers.
Millar said IHC is hoping farmers will now pledge a lamb or sheep to support children and adults with an intellectual disability in rural communities.
“For more than 35 years it’s been the dairy farmers who have given such generous support to the IHC Calf and Rural Scheme.
“We simply couldn’t have done the work we do without their support and we’re hoping New Zealand’s sheep farmers will join us too in this new Lamb Programme.”
Farmers can support the programme by visiting www.ihc.org.nz/lamb and donating a virtual lamb for $150. They can also give a physical lamb or sheep at the same website or simply say “One’s for IHC” at the sale.
Millar said IHC is grateful for the sponsorship support and promotion AgriVantage will provide to the Lamb Programme, up to $25,000 this year, through a $1 sponsorship from every 20kg bag of Sprayfo Primo Lamb milk replacer sold.
AgriVantage’s national business manager Warren Tanner said the rural business saw an opportunity to make a difference.
“IHC does important work in supporting people with intellectual disabilities in communities all around NZ.
“We know that M bovis has negatively impacted the calf scheme and, therefore, their fundraising efforts.
“We saw an opportunity for AgriVantage to help make up some of the deficit and hopefully even exceed the IHC’s fundraising targets.
“Together with our farming communities we hope to raise a total of $40,000 to help fund the work of IHC,” he said.
