Bay of Islands horticultural stalwarts Alan and Helen Thompson have won the Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

The Thompsons grow kiwifruit, lemons, melons and grapes on 70 hectares at Kerikeri.

LD Family Investments Ltd was established in 2008 when Alan and Helen sold their previous part-owned business, Kerifresh, to Turner & Growers. A decade on, it has grown into a family-run business with numerous elements – kiwifruit growing and orchard management, lemon growing, melon cropping, grape growing and wine making, beer brewing, and post-harvest packing and storage. It also has a 25% shareholding in a produce export company, Te Mata Exports.