See fruit salad cows in Hamilton
Released 17 Feb 2010
You're invited to visit the Mitchell family's dairy farm near Hamilton, one of 24 farms throughout New Zealand opening its gates for Federated Farmers Farm Day on the last Sunday of March (March 28, 2010).
"The Federated Farmers Waikato team is looking forward to meeting and talking with families about what we do," says Stewart Wadey, local provincial president.
"Federated Farmers Farm Day aims to promote New Zealand's world class agricultural sector, with a strong focus on the environment under this year's theme, The Green Farmer.
"The Mitchell family are opening their gates to everyone to see farm animals up close, learn what they eat and find out how they stay happy and healthy.
"The Mitchells milk 360 ‘fruit salad cows', a mixture of Jersey, Friesian and cross breeds on their 110 hectare farm.
"Although the property is close to Hamilton's urban sprawl it has remained an economic dairy unit and is now farmed by the third generation of Mitchells.
"For the Mitchells, sustainable farming means managing farm operations to ensure that the environment is protected, their animals are healthy and their business is successful.
"Farm Day offers the general public and farmers alike the chance to see how the Mitchell family work in harmony with the land that forms both their home and their livelihood.
"Local farmers will offer guided walks, tell stories, give demonstrations and invite everyone to lend a hand. No questions will be off limits, Farm Day is an open learning opportunity but also a fun day out," concluded Mr Wadey.
To learn more about Federated Farmers Farm Day and to find your way to the farm, checkout www.farmday.org. Make sure you get along to the Mitchell's farm at 42 Koromatua Road, Hamilton between 10am and 3pm on Sunday, 28 March.
For further comment:
Stewart Wadey, Waikato Federated Farmers President, 07 888 1808, 027 277 9996
Conor English, Federated Farmers chief executive, 04 494 1081, 0274 410 786
