Sustainable Farming Fund is now open to aquaculture
We will now consider applications for projects that support economic and environment performance in the marine and land-based aquaculture sector.
Groups considering making applications are welcome to contact SFF to discuss how their proposal fits with the Fund's criteria.
For more information, guidelines and application forms please see below.
Sustainable Farming Fund is no longer funding irrigation feasibility studies
Funding of irrigation scheme feasibility studies and pre feasibility studies will now be done through the Irrigation Acceleration Fund.
For more information you can contact Kevin Steel (Manager, Irrigation Acceleration Fund).
Or see the Irrigation Acceleration Fund page
Quick Links
How to Apply
Managing Your Sustainable Farming Fund Project
Contact Details
The Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) invests in farmer, grower and forester-led projects that deliver economic, environmental and social benefits to New Zealand’s land-based primary industries.
The purpose of the SFF is to support Communities of Interest to undertake applied research and extension projects to tackle a shared problem or to develop a new opportunity. SFF projects are lead by rural land owners and managers often with the support of industry organisations, agribusiness, researchers or consultants. Most successful projects are able to leverage a high proportion of other funding or in-kind support to complement the SFF grant.
How to Apply
The 2012 funding round is now open. Please see below for relevant application forms and guidelines.
SFF Funding Round – important dates
| 26 September 2011 |
Deadline for submission of Phase 1 applications requesting $25,000 or over |
| Mid December 2011 |
Phase 1 decisions announced – shortlisted applicants asked to prepare a detailed Phase 2 proposal |
| 13 February 2012 |
Deadline for submission of Phase 2 applications
Deadline for submission of applications requesting under $25,000 |
| End April 2012 |
Funding decisions announced |
| 30 June 2012 |
Funded projects contracted and ready to commence |
Application forms
Application forms and guidelines for the 2012 funding round are now available below.
2012 Application guidelines
2012 Application form for projects under $25,000
2012 Application form for projects over $25,000
All potential applicants should read the guidelines, which contain information on:
Further advice for applicants
The SFF has project advisers based in Wellington and Christchurch who are available to provide advice and feedback on your application.
Managing your Sustainable Farming Fund Project
Reporting
2011 SFF Reporting Periods
There are three reporting periods per year, each covering four months. SFF works in the financial year 1 July to 30 June. The following tables show what is required at each reporting period.
Grants of $25 000 or over
| Period |
Reporting due date |
Progress Report |
Request for Payment |
Invoice |
| 1 Nov 2010 to 28 Feb 2011 |
14 March 2011 |
* |
* |
* |
| 1 March 2011 to 30 June 2011 |
14 July 2011 |
* |
* |
* |
| 1 July 2011 to 31 Oct 2011 |
15 Nov 2011 |
* |
* |
* |
Remember to include any additional documents relevant to the reporting period i.e. reports, meeting minutes, presentations etc and also note forth coming meetings or events.
Grants of $25 000 or under (project number with ‘L’ at the start)
| Period |
Reporting due date |
Progress Report |
Request for Payment |
Invoice |
| 1 July 2011 to 28 Feb 2012 |
14 March 2012 |
* |
* |
* |
| If the project runs for more than one year, discuss additional reporting dates with your project adviser. |
|
|
|
Remember to include any additional documents relevant to the reporting period i.e. reports, meeting minutes, presentations etc and also note forth coming meetings or events.
Reporting Forms
Assistance for project teams
Contact Details
Sustainable Farming Fund
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
Telephone: 0800 00 83 33
Email: sff@maf.govt.nz
Or talk to one of our regional Project Advisers
Denis Packer - Fund Manager
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Level 16, Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington
Phone 04 894 5650
Fax 04 894 0740
Email: denis.packer@maf.govt.nz |
Denis was previously an Investment Manager with Dairy InSight with responsibilities for investments in the areas of Environment, Animal Welfare and Biosecurity and a number of policy issues impacting the dairy industry. Most of his career has been in the agri-business sector including several years at AgResearch in various commercial roles.
Denis is qualified in agricultural science and commerce. |
Mairead Roche - Fund Administrator
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Level 17, Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington
Phone 0800 008 333
Fax 04 894 0746
Email: mairead.roche@maf.govt.nz |
Mairéad is in charge of general operations within the fund and it’s team. |
Louise Askin - Project Adviser
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Level 16, Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington
Phone 04 894 0446
Fax 04 894 0740
Email: louise.askin@maf.govt.nz |
Louise is responsible for projects in Northland, Taranaki, Manawatu, Wellington and Tasman. She is involved with a broad range of sectors and is the SFF contact for pork, organic and berryfruit production.
Louise has a BA and BSc (Hons) from Victoria University, focusing on resource management. Prior to SFF, she did some casual farm work and joined MAF's Strategy and Planning group in 2006. |
Helen Percy - Project Advisor
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Ruakura Research Centre
East Street
PO Box 966
Hamilton 3240
Phone 07 957 8321
Fax 07 957 8315
Email: helen.percy@maf.govt.nz |
Helen is currently on study leave and is doing a Masters at Waikato University. She will be returning in February 2012.
Helen has project responsibility for most of the SFF projects in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and King Country. She is the SFF technical contact for subtropical horticulture, floriculture, tree crops, integrated pest management; and she also looks after a range of environmental projects, particularly those associated with water quality. Helen is the key contact regarding communication and extension.
Helen has previously worked for ENZA and HortResearch in various roles covering extension, communication and business management. She has a B.Hort.Sc (hons) from Massey University |
Janine Alfeld - Project Adviser
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
14 Sir William Pickering Drive
PO Box 20 280
Christchurch
Phone 03 943 3802
Fax 03 943 7157
Email: janine.alfeld@maf.govt.nz |
Janine is responsible for a range of South Island projects, particularly in the Canterbury region. These projects are mainly in the dairy farming, irrigation, pastoral farming and land management domains.
Prior to joining the SFF team Janine has been completing her PhD. Her research is based on the sustainability of dairy farming in Canterbury. Janine has 15 years experience within the financial management area and has lectured at Lincoln University. She has a farming background with her parents operating the family farm |
Claire Scott - Project Adviser
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
14 Sir William Pickering Drive
PO Box 20 280
Christchurch
Phone 03 943 3703
Fax 03 943 7157
Email: claire.scott@maf.govt.nz |
Claire is responsible for range of projects mostly based in Southland, Otago and Canterbury. She is the SFF technical contact for sheep, beef, deer, animal health, bee, irrigation matters and also looks after a range of pastoral projects, particularly those associated with dry land pasture and high country systems.
Claire became a member of the SFF team in August 2010. She brings diverse knowledge of farming systems gained from a family farming background, employment and university study. She has been a resident of NZ for 7 years during which, she continued to pursue her career in agriculture by fulfilling roles within Research & Development, Primary Production and Regulatory sectors. |