Getting your Farm Plan done

A farm environmental management plan can be a great tool. The process can take quite a long time (months even!) from start to finish. This page describes how to get a farm plan done, who you can work with, and what a farm plan includes.

How do I get a farm plan done?

There are a few ways to get an FEMP done. You can go to a workshop to get some bits completed on your own or work with an FEMP provider to sort it all at once. First you need to figure out your FEMP requirements. Take a look at the below chart to see what your next steps are.

What does my plan need to include?

Your FEMP needs to include all of the items listed in Schedule XXII of the Tukituki Plan. This includes a good set of maps of your property, a description of the environmental risks present, a nutrient budget, stock exclusion plans, and management actions you will undertake to reduce your environmental risks.

HOT TIP: When you receive a draft of your FEMP from your FEMP provider it would be a good idea to check your plan against this list to make sure your plan includes everything it needs to. 

How much does a Farm Plan cost?

The price of a farm plan will likely depend on how much time it takes an approved provider to complete. Prices can be affected by the complexity of the operation or ease of information access. At the moment, prices can range from $500-$10,000.  Having good records can drastically reduce the cost.

Who can help me get a Farm Plan done?

the Regional Council has approved a number of qualified rural professionals to help get farm plans done. Different providers have different backgrounds and landowners can chose who would best suit their needs. You can also come prepared to a workshop run by an approved facilitator.

A FEMP must be signed off by a suitably qualified rural professional. This is to ensure that the FEMP submitted is both compliant and that the right advice has been given.

Industry Groups are also playing a role in trying to help their levy payers meets the Tukituki plan change requirements. This process is not appropriate for all types of farming operations, but if you are interested inexploring this option, please ring the contacts below to discuss it. Going through your industry group can provide a lower cost option for completing an FEMP. However, please note that before a FEMP can be accepted by the Regional Council, a suitably qualified rural professional must visit your farm and confirm that your FEMP is fit for purpose. There is likely to be a cost associated with this.