8
June 2018
WAIRARAPA FARMING LIFESTYLES
by Ann van Engelen
Helen and Derek Melser planted a small olive grove in the Wairarapa Valley with the understanding that warm summers and cold winters would provide ideal growing conditions for their 250 trees.
“T
he property originally had cattle, and we cleared them off for the grove. A lot of people were planting olives for oil at the time, but we planted them for pickling,” says Helen. Olives quickly became a passion as the couple discovered the many health benefits of the olive fruit, oil and leaf. “While our grove was maturing, I decided to see the olive in its traditional surroundings in France, Crete, Croatia, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Greece, China and Syria and talked to growers, tasted countless olives and oils, was given family recipes and lots of wonderful advice. It was heaven for an olive lover.
“World expert on olive tree diseases, Dr Vera Sergeeva, has said some people in Australia over spray and such groves are now unable to cope on their own. We grow along organic lines, without pesticides, fungicides or artificial fertilisers — we use a seaweed spray and prune once a year.” Helen completed a herbal diploma and through this she discovered the health and well-being benefits of the olive leaf. “We began experimenting with olive products including marinades, tapenades, pestos, pasta sauces and salads — there are not many recipes we have not tried. Some ideas worked, and
Helen Melser planted 250 olive trees knowing that warm summers and cold winters would provide ideal growing conditions
FARMERS WORLDWIDE CHOOSE...
THE BRAND NEW JIALING FARMER 150 GENERATION 3
Farmer 150 • 150cc 4 stroke • Electric start / kick start • Front and rear racks • 9L fuel tank • Fully enclosed chain guard • Protection bars on engine and chain
$1,985+GST* Created by Jialing and Honda in 1981 and still unbeatable 37 years later.
We have trade in bikes from $595+GST. These bikes are as we received them. We have more refurbished trade-in bikes and ATV/UTV to choose from! (2016) (4,179km's) (150 cc) 1 owner from new. The boss's bike. A really good looking refurbished bike. New seat, tank, side covers, chain case, chain guard and front fender - $1,295 + GST (2016) (1,166km's) (150 cc) 1 owner from new. Farm managers own bike. A really impressive refurbished bike. New tank, seat, side covers, front fender, rear carrier and chain case - $1,495 + GST (2015) (1,089km's) (200 cc) 1 owner from new. An attractive refurbished bike. New front fender, chain guard, chain case, side covers - $1,595 + GST (2014) (6,090km's) (150 cc) 1 owner. A really good looking refurbished bike. New chain case and side covers. Painted front fender - SOLD (2014) (2,296km's) (150 cc) 1 owner from new. A great looking refurbished bike. New tank, chain, chain case, side covers, front carrier and front fender - $1,395 + GST
• Hand control protection bars
(2013) (1,333km's) (150 cc) A nice looking refurbished bike. New chain, front fender, seat and side covers - $995 + GST
• Workshops with huge stockholding of parts
(2013) (4,667km's) (150 cc) 1 owner from new. A pleasant looking refurbished bike. A well looked after bike. New chain - $995 + GST
• Unequalled for strength, quality and reliability at this price.
HISUN:
Plus get $500 for your old Jialing Trade in (complete bike) on a new Jialing Farmer 150.
(2016) (2975km’s) (700cc UTV) $9,495 + GST (2016) (180km's) (250cc UTV) 1 lady owner from new. SOLD (400cc UVT) Very well looked after, 4WD. SOLD (2014) (500cc ATV) 1 owner from new. $3,600 + GST
Anyone interested in becoming a dealer please contact us on 07 883 3236
Jialing Farm Bikes • 58 Kensington Street, Putaruru Nation wide delivery available