Supporting those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle remains our immediate priority.
We continue to encourage anyone who is feeling overwhelmed and would like to speak to someone to contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 524. Please also remember that The Association has engaged Wanda Douglas to provide free and confidential psychological support to our members and their families. Wanda is a Registered Psychologist with the NZ Psychologists’ Board. She is based locally in Taradale and can be contacted on 021 1700 506.
For those of you keen to unwind with and swap notes with other impacted growers and farmers, we encourage you to get along to “Over the Fence” which is being held at the Napier War Memorial on the 9th May. HBFA is contributing to bring this event together, so we are keen to see plenty of growers attend. You’ll find more information in this newsletter and via the dedicated Facebook Page.
We also remind impacted growers that The Association will fund consultancy services of up to $700/grower for the assessment of orchards and technical advice to support your recovery. This can be accessed by contacting either AgFirst or Fruition directly – please email me if you’d like more information or would like to use an alternative consultant.
As some of you may already be aware we are also working with NZAPI and The Evergreen Foundation to fund the costs of any impacted grower that would like to attend all, or part of, the inaugural Horticulture Conference Week which takes place from 31 July to 1 August in Christchurch. Please email info@applesandpears.nz for full details.
Alongside our efforts to support those impacted by the Cyclone we continue our efforts to foster, protect and promote the industry in a more general way. This includes planning for the 2023 Young Fruitgrower of the Year which will take now take place on 10 and 11 August. We thank all of our sponsors for their ongoing commitment to what promises to be another outstanding event.
Take care and keep in touch,
Dean
027 233 9900
