See how your food is grown in Hawke’s Bay
Released 05 Feb 2010
You're invited to visit Philip and Robyn Holts' ‘Maraetara' property, at Bayview, 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 Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers team is looking forward to meeting and talking with families about what we do as farmers," says Kevin Mitchell, Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers 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 Holts are hosting Farm Day on a 700 hectare block, running 3000 ewes, 700 cattle and 400 goats. They have extensive plantings of amenity trees, native trees and a large area of commercial forest on the property.
"The block of land bordering the Ahuriri Lagoon has an interesting history with a large part of the flats having been above sea level only since the 1931 earthquake.
"For the Holts, sustainable farming means managing farm operations to ensure that the environment is protected, their animals and soils are healthy and their business is successful.
"Farm Day offers the general public and farmers alike the chance to see how the Holts 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 Mitchell.
To learn more about Federated Farmers Farm Day and to find your way to the farm, checkout www.farmday.org.nz. Make sure you get along to the Holts, between 10am and 3pm on 28 March, at 166 Holt Road, Bayview.
For further information contact:
Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers President, Kevin Mitchell, 06 834 0301, 027 624 1271
Federated Farmers President, Don Nicolson, 03 216 7405, 027 226 6331
