Ruralco CEO Wins Excellence in Business Leadership at ANZ Business of the Year Awards
Tony Aitken, chief executive of Ruralco, has been awarded the Excellence in Business Leadership Award at the ANZ Business of the Year Awards.
Ruralco CEO Tony Aitken presenting the $10,000 donation to Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust representatives Frances Beeston and Duncan Barr.
Rural retailer Ruralco says it has made a $10,000 donation to the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust (MCRST) following the Ruralco Golf Classic held last month.
The event, held on 11 April, saw 100% of proceeds from player entries, on-course challenges, and raffles directly benefit the MCRST.
The Ruralco Golf Classic drew more than 100 players from across Mid Canterbury. The event was sponsored by Ballance Agri Nutrients and Nutrien Ag Solutions.
The funds will help the Trust to continue its work providing free, confidential support and wellbeing services to farmers and rural communities across Mid Canterbury.
Tony Aitken, chief executive of Ruralco, says the success of the retailer's Golf Classic reflects its ongoing commitment to the region, strengthening community ties and backing local initiatives.
"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part, whether by playing, sponsoring, or donating," Aitken says.
"This event was about more than just a round of gold, it was a show of solidarity and support for the people at the heart of our rural community," he says. "We are especially proud that the funds raised will stay local and directly assist Mid Canterbury farmers and their families."
Aitken says that as a regionally focused co-operative, Ruralco's core purpose is to lower farm input costs for its members. He says the company is equally committed to supporting those farmers' wellbeing.
"Partnering with the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust is one meaningful way we can give back to the communities that support us."
DairyNZ Chair Tracy Brown has seen a lot of change since she first started out in the dairy sector, with around one-third of dairy farmers now women.
Castle Ridge Station has been named the Regional Supreme Winner at the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
The South Island Dairy Event has announced Jessica Findlay as the recipient of the BrightSIDE Scholarship Programme, recognising her commitment to furthering her education and future career in the New Zealand dairy industry.
New Zealand and Chile have signed a new arrangement designed to boost agricultural cooperation and drive sector success.
New DairyNZ research will help farmers mitigate the impacts of heat stress on herds in high-risk regions of the country.
Budou are being picked now in Bridge Pā, the most intense and exciting time of the year for the Greencollar team – and the harvest of the finest eating grapes is weeks earlier than expected.