Ronald and Carol Alderton’s approach to farming has been praised by the award judges who described the Aldertons as “incredibly hard workers but astute in decision-making”.

The couple came to the Waitahuna area, east of Lawrence, in 1979 when they purchased their 280ha home farm. Ronald had a share in his family property in West Otago, but the couple decided to “strike out on our own”, and have never regretted their decision.