OPENING THE (FARM) GATES OF PERCEPTION

Townies best expect to dirty their gumboots soon enough as Open Farms welcomes them to their world. On March 12, selected farms nationwide will open their gates to visitors, encouraging them to learn more about how our food is produced.

“I had heard about it [before] and I was pleased to be involved,” Caroline Rose from Hunua’s Green by Nature says. “Open Farms goes with our philosophy of spreading the word about farm-to-table and regenerative, community supported agriculture.”

Caroline and her husband, Dominic, along with her sister and brotherin-law (Janice and Malcolm Bell) established Green by Nature in May 2020. While Janice and Malcolm draw on prior experience from running a vineyard in Hunua, the Roses’ rural roots stretch back across the globe.

“We moved from South Africa where we had a big property with lots of horses,” Caroline explains. “Later, one night over dinner when we were all living in Beachlands, Malcolm said he wanted to move back to the country and we all said: ‘yes please!’”

First involved in Open Farms in

2021, Green by Nature is a ‘no dig’ market garden that also features an orchard, sheep and free-range hens.

“Leaving the soil in better condition is the principle behind everything we do. If you have healthy soil, you’ll have healthy animals and a healthy farm,” Caroline adds. “It’s been quite a journey, with lots of learning curves along the way [and] we’re happy to share our experiences with others.”

Once again, Brookby’s Donald Pearson Farm is also participating in Open Farms.

“Donald’s Farm is an educational dairy farm gifted to NZ Young Farmers in 2018 to connect people with farming,” the property’s manager, Sam Waugh, says. “We are excited to be able to showcase what farming is like and how our food is produced to our urban mates. There will be a tailored, guided tour for visitors as well as a ‘meet and greet’ with some of our dairy cows.”

During the first two Open Farms, more than 7,000 people visited 82 properties across the country, from sheep and beef stations to orchards, dairy farms and more. However, due its popularity, bookings must be made in advance, the initiative’s founder, Daniel Eb, confirms.

“We book out half of our capacity in 24 hours and more than 80 per cent of events are overbooked [so] there is no lack of interest from urban Kiwis. When bridging the urban-rural divide, there is nothing more e ective than an on-farm experience.”

See our July-Aug 2020 e-edition (at ruralliving.co.nz) to read more about Donald’s Farm; helpful tips from Caroline and family are accessible at www.greenbynature.nz. And, for further information about Open farms, visit www.openfarms.co.nz.