Oakley founder and head agronomist Robin Oakley has won the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) Environmental Award for his efforts, which includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen leaching.
The fifth-generation farmer grew up on his family farm and has been working the land since he was a young boy.
He started the Southbridge fresh vegetable business in the 1990s with his wife Shirleen.
Oakley’s Premium Fresh Vegetables grows potatoes, beetroot, broccoli, pumpkin and arable crops including grass seed, wheat, peas and maize on more than 450ha.
They wash, grade and pack produce on site.
Mr Oakley said the operation was committed to continuous improvement.
"I am proud that our efforts have been recognised by HortNZ and want to share with New Zealanders the good work that is done on our farms."
More recently, he has taken steps to reduce, monitor and manage greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen leaching, as well as improve soil quality, through initiatives such as the Sustainable Vegetables Systems programme.
A project close to his heart is alternative power, and in April he installed 564 solar panels at the operation’s post-harvest site.
The 390-watt panels will account for about 40% of the site’s annual energy demands.
The other Environmental Award winner was Market Gardeners’ Auckland branch, in recognition of its commitment to environmental sustainability.
HortNZ usually gives out its awards at the annual Horticulture Conference, but it had to be cancelled this year due to Covid-19 uncertainty.
HortNZ vice-president Bernadine Balle-Guilleux said the organisation felt it was important to celebrate growers’ success during another challenging year, so had been been presenting awards at grower events.
The presentations will wind up at the HortNZ annual meeting in Nelson next month.
