Planning to secure another long-term funding contract with the Clutha District Council has been a key task for the Clutha Agricultural Development Board executive in recent months, retiring chairman Neil Cullen will tell its annual meeting on Wednesday.
His 2008 annual report reveals "considerable time" has been spent on strategic planning for the next few years as the board begins to negotiate a new contract with the council's district development board.
"We are fortunate to have the backing of the [board] and the council, who recognise the overwhelming importance of agriculture and forestry to the district and that any enhancement of their situation will benefit all."
Thanks to this funding and the continued income from its Farmsafe programmes, the board's financial situation continues to be strong, Mr Cullen says.
A notable achievement last year was the adoption of a new constitution, which replaced the dual structure model of an executive and a board with a single Instead of 26 members, the new executive has nine.
"Although it is early days, I feel this is working well, with significant contributions from the new executive members," Mr Cullen says.
