Get ‘out in the paddock’ with Farm Day 2011
Released 03 Feb 2011
With New Zealand boasting some of the highest urbanisation rates in the world, Federated Farmers Farm Day 2011 is a chance to pull on the gumboots and get out on the paddock on Sunday, 13 March 2011 (10am-3pm).
"This is the third annual Federated Farmers Farm Day and farmers hope people and families will take the opportunity to get onto the paddock to discover just what we farmers do," says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.
"Federated Farmers is focused on showing the fantastic work farmers do as well as revealing the technical aspects of modern farm management.
"When I talk to city folk, I'm continually struck by how many don't understand what it takes to farm or work with animals or grow crops. There's plenty of scope for misunderstanding so instead of wondering how, come onto a farm to ask, see and learn.
"Its been our hope that Farm Day will go some way to reconnect with our urban counterparts and to help educate where there is misunderstandings.
"Aside from the physical input our farming system is biological and that means we work with nature rather than against it. Farm Day is our chance to talk face to face and to show what we actually do. That includes the environmental stewardship of farmers.
"One of the big changes for 2011 is a concentration on a core group of main centres. Instead of trying to be everywhere, we've decided to invest more time and energy with urban New Zealand.
"It's also our great hope to grow a school visits programme out of Federated Farmers Farm Day too.
"That's why we are so grateful to have the financial backing of the Sustainable Farming Fund with our 2011 theme being, ‘Out in the paddock'.
"Some of our venues, like Rotorua/Taupo, will combine dairy with meat and fibre. That venue is surrounded by trout filled streams, being in Rotorua's famous Paradise Valley Road.
"There will be an opportunity to not just learn about cheese and butter making but to try your hand at it too.
"At Auckland's Farm Day in Papakura, we're really hoping to have some dung beetles to showcase what these little critters could do out in the paddock. 4WD excursions will be used in Auckland to also illustrate the hard work farmers put into fencing as well as environmental management. It includes conservation by way of QEII National Trust covenants.
"With Otago's Farm Day, Federated Farmers will be providing free bus transportation from Dunedin to make its farm as accessible as possible to everyone. Being held at Telford means a fine opportunity to discover what you need to become a farmer.
"We're proud and excited at the chance to show everyone just how optimistic, progressive and innovative New Zealand's farmers really are," Mr Nicolson concluded.
About Federated Farmers Farm Day 2011 - Out in the paddock
With New Zealand 86 percent urbanised, among the highest rates in the World, Federated Farmers Farm Day is designed to bring farmers and non-farmers together at open farms. It is part fun, part educational but 100 percent based on the New Zealand Farm system. It provides people the chance to see for themselves with a lot of scope to ask questions of host farmers. Farm Day is a chance to go behind the scenes on Sunday, 13 March 2011 (10am and 3pm) at:
Northland (Whangarei) - Denis & Lynne Anderson (Lynden Farms, 444 Kokopu Road, RD 9, Whangarei 0179)
Auckland (Papakura) - Bill and Lynnette Cashmore (Kiripaka (Cashmore Farms), 389 Kawakawa-Orere Road, Orere, Papakura 2585)
Waikato (Cambridge) - Bill and Sue Garland (Rahiri Farm, End of Rahiri Road, RD 3, Cambridge 3495)
Rotorua/Taupo (Rotorua) - The Heather Family (Heather Dell Angus Stud, 945 Paradise Valley Road, RD 3, Rotorua 3072)
Manawatu/Rangitikei (Palmerston North) - James and Dave Stewart
(Stewart Dairylands, 143 Watershed Road, RD 10, Palmerston North 4470)
Wellington/Wairarapa (Pauatahanui) - Battle Hill Forest Park (Paekakariki Hill Road, Pauatahanui)
Nelson - Ian & Barbara Stuart (Cable Bay Farm, 799 Cable Bay Road, RD1 Nelson 7071)
North Canterbury (Christchurch) - David Shipley (Island Farm, Shipleys Road, Harewood, Christchurch 8051)
South Canterbury (Timaru) - Andrew and Vicky Steven (494 Rolling Ridges Road, Rosewill, Timaru 7974)
Otago (Balclutha) - Ian Knowles (Telford Farm, 498 Owaka Highway, Balclutha 9240). Please register interest for bus transportation by 1 March by phoning 03 477 7353 or emailing otagofarmday@fedfarm.org.nz.
The Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers Farm Day will take place on 20 March 2011 (10am-3pm):
Bay of Plenty (Te Puke) - Noel & Marilyn McLeod & Andrew & Robyn McLeod (1189 Welcome Bay Road, RD 7, Te Puke 3187)
Finding a Federated Farmers Farm Day
On the page of each host farm at www.farmday.org.nz is a Google Maps function. Below the location map of each farm is a directions box. This will provide detailed driving instructions from anywhere in New Zealand to the venue. Also, there is a weather guide for each farm to ease planning for the day. Directional signage will also be erected to the venues on the day too
For further information
Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President, 027 226 6331, 03 216 7405
Conor English, Federated Farmers Chief Executive Officer, 027 441 0786, 04 494 9189
