Meet our Team
Alison van Polanen
FARM ENVIRONMENT CONSULTANT / DIRECTOR
B.SC (Hons), MNZIPIM, Intermediate and Advanced Certified Sustainable Nutrient Management, Environment Canterbury Certified Farm Environment Plan Auditor
Alisons passion is farming and supporting farmers integrate good management practice as part of having a sustainable and profitable farming business and accordingly she presently has two complementary roles in the rural sector. Alison is the founder of EnviroPlan Limited and with her husband sharemilks in Winchmore.
Alison has formerly worked in resource consent management of large-scale infrastructure developments, primarily renewable energy and irrigation projects.
Alison is a practical and respected intermediary between farmers, primary industry groups, regional and national government; being able to understand and articulate the goals and constraints of each group and is presently a member of a reference group. In this role Alison takes her day to day communications and experiences from a diverse range of farm types, intensities and management styles to the strategic level of the catchment outcomes we are working towards across Canterbury. Alison believes the audit programme in Canterbury is a fantastic opportunity to effect change at a farm level but that we still have many challenges and opportunities to ensure the ongoing success of this management tool.
Leah Gorman
FARM ENVIRONMENT CONSULTANT
B. Ag, Associate MNZIPIM, Intermediate and Advanced Certified Sustainable Nutrient Management, Environment Canterbury Certified Farm Environment Plan Auditor
Leah is a Cantabrian who has hands on farm system experience on sheep & beef, arable and dairy farms. Leah attended Lincoln University and graduated with a Batchelor of Agriculture and has subsequently completed Intermediate and Advanced Certificates in Sustainable Nutrient Management.
Leah has excellent interpersonal skills, technical knowledge and enthusiasm. Having been involved with audits for a wide range of farm types and intensities Leah has proven her adaptability and ability to work with each farmers unique system and the good management practices they are working towards implementing.
Leah has seen many farms in the Canterbury area from the cab of her partners contracting business and when she isn’t on farm auditing or undertaking further study she is a keen netballer, both playing and coaching
