Listen: Winners 'humbled' by Ballance Farm Environment Award

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The Ballance Farm Environment Awards took place last night at Te Papa in Wellington and the big winners of the evening were Catriona and Mark White.

The Whites are the new National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing and the spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay about their experience.

The Bay of Plenty organic kiwifruit growers fought off ten other finalists to take out the award and Catriona says their competitors were "inspirational."

"We were very humbled and very surprised to win. It's a great accolade."

The Whites have run their kiwifruit operation for eleven years now and Mark says they "carry on learning every day."

The National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing role comes with a few responsibilities, but Catriona reckons they're up for the challenge.

"It's going to be a busy and exciting twelve months."

Also in today's interview: Catriona talks about the threat of the Psa bacteria to their business and Mark discusses the values of both the green and gold kiwifruit varieties.

Listen below: