‘Guiding light’ recognised at awards
Arural sector stalwart and mentor to many has been recognised for his contribution to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards programme.
Jeff Bolstad, a Morrinsville farmer, was presented with a Lifetime Contribution Award by New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Trust chairwoman Natasha Tere, in recognition for his long service and contribution to the Dairy Industry Awards and wider agriculture sector.
“This is the first time this award has been presented. It’s a prestigious honour that is awarded to an individual that has provided exceptional service to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.
“We have chosen Jeff as he has been a bonding strength behind our organisation. He is a quiet achiever who has guided and mentored many entrants over the years,” says Natasha.
“He has been a guiding light, a father figure and confidante to many while on their Awards journey.
“Jeff has no ego, just a pure love and passion for aspiring dairy farmers. He has dedicated so much time and energy to the awards programme over the years, through his involvement on the exec and behind the scenes guiding, encouraging and mentoring.”
Bolstad is a former Federated Farmers’ Sharemilkers
Section chairman and New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards executive member.
Federated Farmers congratulates all the 2021 Dairy Industry Award entrants and winners, especially Jeff Bolstad.
“Jeff has been an institution within the Feds Sharemilker
Section over many years and contributed hugely to not only the dairy awards, but the Feds Sharemilking agreements, and all the issues that have dealt with by the Dairy Industry Group within Feds and the Waikato Province,” said NZ Fed Farmers president Andrew Hoggard.
“It was great to see such a humble bloke, who has given his time with no thought of getting anything back in return, get some national recognition for all his years of effort,” he said.
As the recipient of the Lifetime Contribution Award, Jeff Bolstad joins John Luxton, QSO (2016), Gallagher Chief Executive and chairman Sir William Gallagher (2011) and Massey University Professor Colin Holmes (2009) who are the Trust’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.