The couple, who farm at Portobello, received the award at a function in Wanaka on Friday night.
They also won the Otago Regional Council quality water management award, the Beef + Lamb New Zealand livestock award, and the farm stewardship award in partnership with QEII NAtional Trust and the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust.
The couple farm the 200ha Roselle Farm and 618ha of leased land on the peninsula.
Their breeding operation runs 4900 stock units on 613ha effective and sheep make up 95% of the stock units farmed.
BFEA judges described their business as a "successful farming operation that incorporated the complexities and challenges of farming in a semi-urban environment''.
Despite the mostly steep hill contour and exposure to coastal winds, the farm achieved good stock performance.
Mr and Mrs Cross seemed to have struck a balance between maintaining above-average production and enhancing and protecting the environment, they said.
The couple's farming operation was underpinned by well-developed business planning and an "extraordinary'' commitment to community and building relationships.
The Cross family has strong historical ties to the area and Mr Cross took over Roselle Farm in 1995 following the death of his father Ron. His mother Annette still lives on the farm.
Mr and Mrs Cross were instrumental in the establishment of the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group, of which Mr Cross is chairman.
QEII National Trust covenants have been placed on two blocks of regenerating native bush and another area recognised as a habitat for the seriously endangered jewelled gecko is to be predator-fenced and planted with support from the Gecko Trust.
A field day will be held on Roselle Farm at a later date.
Other winners
PGG Wrightson people in agriculture award, CB Norwood Distributors agri-business management award: Marty and Lynette Deans, Lonestar Farms, Barewood Station, Pukerangi.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients soil management award, Hill Laboratories harvest award, Massey University innovation award, WaterForce integrated management award: James and Matt Dicey, Mt Difficulty Wines Ltd, Bannockburn.
LIC dairy farm award: David and Robyn Balchin, Springpark Farms, Clinton.
