A win for planet and cherry lovers

You can find New Zealand’s first 100% electric cherry orchard just north of Cromwell in Mt Pisa, Central Otago.

If you’re interested in a sustainable future and where your food comes from, then Forest Lodge Orchard is worth a visit.

Owners Mike Casey and his wife Rebecca returned to New Zealand looking for a better lifestyle after working in Sydney in the computer science sector.

“We found a house here in central and then started looking at what to do with the land,” Mike says.

Investigations led them to cherries which grow well in the long Central daylight hours.

Those long daylight hours also worked well for their dream of building a real working example of a profitable business, using only electricity and sustainable practices.

“We wanted to build a real working example of a profitable business using only electricity produced onsite,” Mike says.

And three years later Forest Lodge, New Zealand’s first zero fossil fuel cherry orchard is up and running with electric vehicles, irrigation systems and all the other equipment needed, using the latest electric tech and solar power.

“New Zealand grows the best cherries in the world but they don’t make it to the shops here, the best are sent overseas,” he says.

“The export-grade cherries are large, firm and crisp, and aren’t ready until early to mid- January. Here we want them for Christmas.

The best cherries are picked off the tree at the right time which may not be Christmas,” he says.

Testing at the market last year confirmed New Zealanders are prepared to pay more for a premium carbon zero product.

Forward ordering means gate sales are limited but Mike says visitors are always welcome at the orchard. He’s happy to show you what a sustainable, zero fossil fuel, cherry orchard looks like. www.forestlodge.nz