Clutha Agricultural Development Board History of the AgBoard Vision Vision Statement How is the Board going to achieve its Mission? Membership and funding Activities and Projects undertaken. 1994 - 1999 Contacts Board Directors Other Board Contacts History of the AgBoard In 1993 a Clutha District Strategic Planning committee was formed to review the performance and direction of ten identified sectors within the district and reports were prepared on each of these sectors. The Agricultural report had eleven specific recommendations that centred around the formation of a co-ordinating organisation bringing together leading farmers and industry leaders to provide dynamic, innovative leadership and direction for agricultural development and practice within the Clutha District. From this the Clutha Agricultural Development Board was formed. The work of the Board was initially carried out on a voluntary basis but the workload built up to the extent that it was no longer sustainable and now two employees maintain an AgBoard office and carry out the operations of the organisation. Vision In 1994 the rural communities of the Clutha District, like most in the country, were struggling through deregulation, low farming incomes, lack of leadership and any sense of direction. Five years later Clutha is making some real progress compared to many other areas: Employment has risen 6.3% from 1993-1997 Employment in the primary sector has risen 21.4% from 1993-1997 39% of the population was fully employed in 1993 to 43% in 1997 Dairy cow numbers has risen by 103% from 1992-1997 Sheep production and processing generated $241 million in 1997 an increase of approx. $25 million on 1995. Forestry production is set to double by the year 2002 and quadruple by 2020. Although the Clutha Agricultural Development Board can not claim the credit for all these improvements it certainly has played a major role. The Board wants this success to continue in order to fulfil its vision for the District. To top Vision Statement: "The Clutha District will be recognised as a leader in New Zealand agriculture and rural community life" How is the Board going to achieve its Mission? By: Providing leadership and direction for agricultural development in the Clutha District. Providing a forum for all sectors of agriculture to enable the betterment of land-based industry and the whole community in the Clutha District. Initiating actions that will lead to improvements in agriculture and community life in the District. Monitoring and reporting on the District's agricultural production and profitability. Being a "sounding board" and an advisory group on any matters relating to agriculture in the Clutha District. Being an advocate and a promoter for agriculture in the Clutha District. Providing a sound structure, strong business management, and financial security to assist in the continued development of the District. To top Membership and funding Board membership currently stands at approximately 250 individual and corporate members. Funds for Board operations come from many sources. The Community Employment Group, the Clutha District Council and the Otago Community Trust have been the main funding providers. Additional project funding comes from many sources including, AGMARDT, Foundation for Research Science and Technology, Ministry for the Environment, NZ Federation of University Women, Sargood Bequest, Clutha Licensing Trust, and many sponsors. Additional in-kind support comes from many sources including the District and Regional Councils, Telford Rural Polytechnic, Federated Farmers, MAF, and many other individuals within the district who put thousands of voluntary hours into assisting the Board. To top Activities and Projects undertaken. 1994 - 1999 Employment Survey of Sheep / Beef and Dairy Farms in Clutha District. Publication of survey results and employment guidelines in two 76 page reports Major Winter Training and Information Seminars and Workshops. 4 Leadership and Community Builder Courses. Two Day with excellent participation. 2 Wool Industry Training Courses - full time for 4 weeks. 20 participants mostly unemployed or under 18 years - 14+ in full-time employment as the result of courses. Set up and established CF2000 Farm Technology Service for sheep farmers. This is a benchmark monitoring service that enables farmers to compare their production with others in the group and identify areas where some farmers outperform others. The service is now operating nationally under NZ Farm Tech 2000 and more than 300 farmers are participating. Farm Fact" Service - bringing information and business advice to farmers, rural communities and small agricultural businesses. Free 0800 telephone calling. Free service. Rural Support Network helping farmers and rural families at risk. This is a voluntary service to help farming families in financial trouble or under stress. Rural Women's Research Project / Rural Women's Committee - to identify the barriers facing rural women and opportunities for rural women to realise their true potential and follow up on these. Publication of the "Clutha Rural Information manual". A resource publication containing information on the Clutha District and its agricultural possibilities. Gathers together physical, scientific, social and economic information on the District and is ideal for those wanting to invest in the District or looking to diversify their current operations. Copies are available for $12 inc. GST. Cross breeding seminar for sheep farmers. Very successful seminar attracting 120 sheep farmers. Launched "Cross Breeding for NZ Sheep Farmers" - an authoritative and instructive 88 page booklet. Copies are available for $12 inc. GST. Establishment of, and support to, 6 Landcare Groups in the District. Establishment of the Clutha District Sheep Council ­ Runs the very successful Clutha Sheep Farmer of the Year competition. Establishment and promotion of sustainable farming practices in the Clutha District. Ministry for the Environment funding research project into the support needs and requirements of Landcare Groups - entitled "Landcare Group Best Management Practices and Co-ordinating Infrastructures" Social study of Clutha Valley area to determine the needs, concerns and social matters that effect sustainable agriculture. Research projects:- Sheep dip-wash disposal Groundwater study for rural water schemes Soil suitability study for intensive development Biological control of Californian thistle Monitoring District agricultural production and performance. Establishment of the Clutha Drought Committee to aid the District in recovering from the 1999 Drought. Facilitating the establishment of a New Crops Centre in the District to promote the alternative cool climate crops being trialed in the south. To top Contacts Board Office Peter Cummings Board Chairman (03) 485-9605 John Labes Executive Officer Julie Robertson Board Secretary Development House of Clutha 17 John St P O Box 149 Balclutha Phone (03) 418-3188 Fax (03) 418-4201 Email cadb@es.co.nz Board Directors 1999-2000 1. Peter Cummings, Chairman 2. Peter Dobbie 3. Bruce Bissett, Executive member 4. Fiona Black, Executive member 5. Bill McNab 6. Irene Mosely 7. Robbie Burnside 8. Jim Goatley 9. Murray Harris 10. Norman Hewett 11. Errol Holgate 12. Humphrey Jagger 13. Jim Johnstone 14. Wayne Fix, Clutha Chamber of Commerce Rep 15. Warrick Hobbs 16. Colin Scurr 17. Stephen Woodhead, Executive member 18. Irene Mosely 19. Richard Milne, Executive member 20. Graeme Pringle 21. Avis Rishworth, Executive member 22. Roxanne Roxburgh 23. Alan Shaw, Executive member, .....immediate past Chairman 24. Alastair Stammers, Executive member 25. Ken Stephens 26. Lyn Murray 27. Peter Kloosterman To top Other Board Contacts Rural Women's Project: Irene Mosley Chairperson (03) 418-3414 Nikki Cunningham Co-ordinator (03) 418-4543 Landcare: Stephen Woodhead Chairman, Landcare Committee (03) 417-4733 Bruce Vollweiler Chairman, Bruce Landcare Groups (03) 417-7191 Wade Taylor Chairman, Tuakitoto Landcare Group (03) 417-4407 Lindsay Watt Chairman, Inchclutha/Matau Landcare Group (03) 418-2901 Peter Johnston Chairman, Paretai Landcare Group (03) 412-8714 Norman Hewitt Chairman, West Otago Landcare Group (03) 204-8128 CF2000 Farm Technology Service Alan Shaw Chairman (03) 418-0402 NZ Farm Tech 2000 Alan Shaw Chairman (03) 418-0402 Farm Fact Service Linda Moore Farm Fact service Co-ordinator 0800 farmfact 0800 327-632 Clutha District Sheep Council Denis Greer Chairman (03) 417 4553 To [Use Back Button to return to previous page]