Federated Farmers Farm Day a huge success so far
Released 16 Mar 2011
Federated Farmers Farm Day has already been a big success as townies from around the country visited their rural counterparts for a day of sun and fun on the farm, with South Canterbury and Bay of Plenty Farm Days still to follow this Sunday.
"We do Farm Day to help shrink that rural urban social disconnect, to get townies out to a farm to experience our way of live. In terms of sheer numbers, I think we've done that this year," says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.
"It's a great opportunity to talk to a farmer face to face and for many kids, it's their first country experience which teaches them about life in the paddock.
"It's good to know that with South Canterbury and Bay of Plenty still to come this Sunday 20 March we have already reached our turnout targets, lets hope they're a hit too.
"Each Farm Day is different in its focus, but of particular note was our Wellington/Wairarapa farm day which more than quadrupled its attendance from last year with 880 people through the gate.
"The numbers were huge and kids were clamouring to feed our calves, we also had farm dogs giving working demonstrations to eager patrons.
"Auckland was another success with some 600 through the gate before they lost count. It was a great spot for showing people around in off road vehicles, while also teaching them about the difficulties of the trade that most don't see first hand.
"I think after showing those kids how farm fences are erected, many had a new respect for the life of a farmer.
"Rotorua/Taupo saw similarly impressive numbers with the 420 people in attendance putting their hand to cheese tasting and making. We even let the kids involved try their hands at churning butter.
"Its about educating these kids about where their food comes from and how its made, so they don't think everything comes from a plastic packet in the fridge.
"For example, in the Waikato we put on a great show with lambs being shorn, their wool spun into yarn and then knitted into clothing right in front of their eyes. I think it really puts the whole process in to perspective when you see it first hand.
"Fonterra helped out in Northland with milking demonstrations which showed the 100 visitors watching its importance to our economy. The kids loved feeding the cows and lambs on show and we even showed them some old fashioned hand milking.
"But it wasn't all education and information. Kids who dragged their parents along to the Manawatu/Rangitikei Farm Day saw it swamped by 270 visitors. While pony rides were a hit, we also gave the kids tractor and magic carpet rides to keep them all entertained in a way you just can't do in town.
"Sustainability was a key theme here. The Stewarts Farm won Horizon Regional Council's Ballance Farm Environment Award in 2009 for their work on green initiatives, which includes the extensive native tree plantings on their property.
"Otago's Farm Day filled three charter bus loads to the giant Telford Farm and that's before we count cars. Around 300 in attendance was a great result and our zoo paddock, full of less known farm animals such as emus, got an especially great response.
"To cap it all off we even did a lamb on a spit, which certainly didn't last long in front of hungry mouths.
"Nelson's sunny vistas provided its 280 visitors with astounding views of Tasman Bay and some wonderful, scenic walks for the old, while the kids were enthralled by our sheep shearing exhibition which used old fashioned shears and even included alpacas.
"I want to thank all of our volunteers, both within Federated Farmers and especially our host farmers, as well as the other groups that helped on the day, including New Zealand Young Farmers and Rural Women.
I also want to thank our long term sponsors the Sustainable Farming Fund, as well as FMG and Westpac who kindly sponsored the event this year.
"We also had great support from Industry groups such as Fonterra, Fish and Game, Farmsafe, LIC and Vet Plus at certain farm days. Thank you to you all.
"The feedback I've been getting from our farmers is that kids and their families had great days and were loving everything from our farm demonstrations through to animal interaction and a bit of fun and food.
"So we're eight farms down, with two to go. If you're interested in the South Canterbury or Bay of Plenty Farm Days, please visit farmday.org.nz for driving maps and more information," Mr Nicolson concluded.
About Federated Farmers Farm Day 2011 - Out in the paddock
Federated Farmers Farm Day is designed to bring farmers and non-farmers together at open farms. It is part fun, part educational and 100 percent based on the New Zealand farm system. It provides people the chance to see modern farming for themselves, with a lot of scope to ask questions of host farmers.
Farm Day in the Bay of Plenty and South Canterbury will take place on 20 March 2011 (10am-3pm) at:
Bay of Plenty (Te Puke) - Noel and Marilyn McLeod and Andrew and Robyn McLeod (1189 Welcome Bay Road, RD 7, Te Puke 3187)
South Canterbury (Timaru) - Andrew and Vicky Steven (494 Rolling Ridges Road, Rosewill, Timaru 7974)
On the page of each host farm at 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. 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
Matt Long, Federated Farmers Northland president 09 434 3370, 027 272 3322
Wendy Clark, Federated Farmers Auckland president, 09 236 3082, 021 155 1094
Stew Wadey, Federated Farmers Waikato president 07 888 1808, 027 277 9996
John Scrimgeour, Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty president 07 533 3681, 027 653 3368
Neil Heather, Federated Farmers Rotorua/Taupo president 07 357 2142, 027 421 4050
Gordon McKellar, Federated Farmers Manawatu/Rangitikei president 06 323 4792
Anders Crofoot, Federated Farmers Wairarapa president, 06 372 6465
Dr William Rolleston, Federated Farmers South Canterbury president 06 323 4792
Michael Lord, Federated Farmers Otago president 03 486 2730, 027 438 2097
