| About us | For Farmers | Buying Organic | Regional Pages | News | Contacts | Links |
|
Grower Profiles
The following are profiles of OrganicFarmNZ Growers from around the country. A number of the properties certified by OrganicFarmNZ also have a website for their business. Click here.
Kelmarna Organic City Farm - Herne Bay, Auckland.
25 years ago the garden site was established by Paul Lagerstedt to demonstrate the growing of organic produce and to restore recreation and employment opportunities to central Auckland city. The gardens were established on 1.7 hectares of land owned by the City Council and by the neighboring Catholic Church. The Kelmarna Trust leases the site off the council and sub-leases the gardens to Framework Trust. The Framework Trust utilizes the therapeutic green environment to provide a work-skills program for people who are regaining mental balance and are motivated toward gaining employment. During the last quarter century a rich array of native and heirloom biodiversity has been quietly growing into a living example of sound ecology and responsible local food production for local consumption. While the maintaining of rare heritage fruit and vegetable varieties is arguably the most valuable service that Kelmarna Gardens provides, the greatest inherent potential must be the sites enormous capacity as an educational resource.Situated adjacent to the many urban dwellers of Ponsonby and Grey Lynn and including the many schools in the area, the potential to provide educational and recreational gardening is huge. As local and community supported food production becomes reestablished, it is envisaged that Kelmarna Gardens will become a rallying point of inspiration and community cohesion based around the practice of permaculture. The Gardens are fully certified OFNZ.
Mandi & David Porta - Upper Hutt Mandi & David Porta, with the assistance of Nema Sherpa, run the Blueberry Farm in the Akatarawa Valley near Upper Hutt. The 26 acres was originally certified with BioGro in 1998 - and consequently by OrganicFarmNZ since 200 They are certified to produce blueberries, pipfruit, eggs and to breed heritage poultry. They sell their produce through Wellington based Commonsense Organics, through local fairs and by allowing the public to pick their own straight from the farm. For Mandi & Daivd the principles of OrganicFarmNZ, namely supporting local organic produce, is why they chose to be OFNZ certified. Mandi says "We don’t believe in growing food organically and putting your heart and soul into protecting the environment, then turning around to put the fruit in little plastic boxes, only to use petrochemicals to send it to the other side of the world, when there are plenty of people who would enjoy eating it right here. So we chose OFNZ as a warm, supportive, grass roots certification body." For them, OrganicFarmNZ provides comraderie, support, and encouragement. "The standards are all upheld well because everyone believes in doing the right thing for their farm and their neighbors" says David. Off the property, Mandi works as a Lactation Consultant for the Hutt Valley DHB and David underwrites the work on the farm from his work at IBM. Nema was previously a Nepalese sherpa and is now setting up an organic market garden for the Wellington region on the farm. Their advice for other growers: When we bought the farm, I couldn’t even keep houseplants alive. I had grown up in the city, was chronically disorganized and hardly knew the difference between a tractor and a chainsaw. In the first year that we owned the farm we were hit by the biggest flood the Akatarawa Valley has ever seen. It ripped through both orchards and destroyed our blueberry shelter. We had two choices, admit defeat or use it to grow stronger. We chose to see it as a sign we needed to diversify the farm and this year we have seen a 3 fold increase on our turnover. I now can keep 2000 blueberry bushes thriving. I am much more organized, can grow veggies, and raise beautiful chooks, and I learned how to rebuild a blueberry shelter. We still have so much more to learn but by taking the risk we are so much better for it both as people and as business owners. Allan Baker & Cedar Corban - Kerikeri Allan & Cedar run Magnolia House with 5 acres of 'in conversion' land near Kerikeri. They are certified to grow 9 varieties of table grapes spread over 2 acres and 500 vines and a range of vegetables. Other on-property activities include a bed and breakfast service, a licensed catering kitchen, bistro, cooking workshops, and devonshire teas.
For them organics is a philosophy which reflects a dedication to being environmentally friendly, to being sustainable, and to practising permaculture. Being certified organic shows a commitment to this philosophy and adds credibility for the customers in their view. They chose OrganicFarmNZ certification because it is regionally based. Their advice for other growers: apart from the fact that being organic means you are being guardian of the earth and contributing to healthy eating, it is also satisfying in so far as you not only work hard physically but you also need to apply your thinking facilities to how you can best work your earth and crops within an organic philosophy. Bern Green & Brenda Rathe-Green - Waitakere Bern & Brenda run Brenbern Farm. Their 4 hectare property is based in Henderson in Waitakere City. First certified in 2002, their now fully certified farm produces chestnuts, eggs, feijoas, sheep (livestock Wiltshire pedigree), and rhubarb. They are still establishing some of their markets but they are They chose to become organic because it is better for the land and it is about developing a self-sustaining ecology. The healthy lifestyle, natural husbandry and the lack of synthetic chemicals were all influences as well. They chose OrganicFarmNZ certification because they only supply to the local area and they are not interested in exporting. They have found the Pod Peer Review system highly effective in educating growers and spreading the message. They go so far as to say that they love the POD system. They are meeting and making lifetime friends who have a similar outlook and they are learning heaps. In the future they hope to move a little further north to Matakana where they hope to convert a new 2 acre property to organic production. Continuing with the Wiltshires, getting into feijoas and possibly producing mushrooms are possibilities. The move to Matakana will hopefully allow more time to play frisbee golf and visit Trademe even more regularly. They are excited about the future of organics. "It is healthy, exciting and proven." Tony & Linda Henderson - Kaikohe Tony & Linda run Zion Gardens. A 20.5ha property situated 20kms west of Kaikohe in the Far North. They joined OrganicFarmNZ in its inception year of 2002 and have been fully certified since that time - having previously been certified by the Far North Growers Group.
When asked why they went organic and for certification - they responded: "We believe that there is too much reliance on chemicals these days and that chemicals are responsible for the many cancers and sickness in the world. We wish to keep our own bodies as healthy as possible and look after the land that has been entrusted into our care in a totally sustainable way. Being certified organic is the best way to ensure that others can buy our produce with complete confidence that is totally natural." They choose OrganicFarmNZ certification because they wanted to step up to a national scheme (from their regional scheme where they were previously fully certified) so that their produce would be accepted without question anywhere in NZ. Tony & Linda had a number of words of advice for intending growers:
Rob Downing & Pamela Baker - Bay of Islands Rob & Pamela chose organic production to play their part in caring for the land and respecting the need for sustainable farming. They see certification as the consumers only gaurantee that the produce being sold is safe for eating. It doesn't contain pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and follows the sustainable farming criteria. OrganicFarmNZ certification fits nicely with their emphasis on selling their wide range of vegetables locally. Rob & Pamela are the driving force behind the impressive Kerikeri Farmers' Market. The Market, selected Kerikeri cafes, home deliveries and a health food shop in Whangarei are the outlets for their fully certified produce. Mahinga Oranga or the "Garden of Wellbeing" is the 2.1 hectare organic paradise that has been certified with OFNZ since 2003 - and previously with FNOG certification. Rob & Pamela see being an active member of the OFNZ regional body as very beneficial. "The support of local like-minded growers helps us better understand ways of improving our techniques, understanding the local soil and climatic conditions. Organised fieldays and social events all help improve our understanding and helps reduce unneccesary mistakes." When time permits, Rob likes to surf, practice martial arts and be involved with local projects - which include the Waimate North Landcare group, Vision Kerikeri and the Kerikeri Farmers' Market. Rob & Pamela believe it is difficult for anyone individual to 'change the world' but they can make a real difference by taking the first steps towards sustainable land care through organic production on their own property and act as a positive, and real, example to others. Rich & Jose Van Alphen - Far North NatureZone Gardens is the name of the 4.5 hectare property of Rich & Jose at Houhora in the Far North. It has been certified by OrganicFarmNZ since 2002 and previously with FNOG. Products covered by certification include: cherimoya, avocado, lemongrass, garlic, bananas, and a mix of salad vegetables. Rich & Jose sell their produce mainly They chose OrganicFarmNZ certification as they wanted to be able to sell nationally with credibility. For them, OFNZ certificaiton works well, costs are kept to a minimum for small scale operators.
Their words of advice for new growers - "Believe in what you're doing."
Kay Baxter - Mid North Trading as "Body & Soul", Kay Baxter's certified private property is part of a 1/7th share of 100 acres in an ecovillage near Kaiwaka. She was first certified with OrganicFarmNZ in 2003. Body & Soul is certified for plant material which goes to grow the heritage trees for Koanga Gardens; Seeds which are sold through Koanga Gardens; Fertile eggs and chickens sold through Koanga, and for Herbal Creams Tinctures and Teas. These products are sold through the well known Koanga Gardens. Kay says she decided to become certified organic to support the growth of organics. And she chose OFNZ because "I'm into local and small". Kay believes OFNZ is a great idea and seems to be on the right track. Kay says "I think bio-regional support groups are essential really and the pod system certainly helps less confident members get off the ground." Kay's words of advice: Start up a regional or smaller area / bio-regional support group with the help of another group that is in existence and get a group of folks together and support each other.
|
A city greenspace working as an educational model of sustainable horticulture.
5. 
They sell through their on-site shop, at the Bay of Islands' Farmers' Markets, and to Ceres and Chantal. In season they make and sell grape jam and grape muffins to sell from the shop and at markets. They also make a light red wine from the grapes and use it in their catering business.
targeting restaurants specializing in organically sourced produce and they also deliver locally.
Bern & Brenda's advice is to not let the paperwork associated with certification get you down - just deal with it in little bites. The Pod Peer Review should be seen as a positive - not a 'holepicking exercise.' "It gives you the chance to see your property through others' eyes." 
They sell their wide range of vegetables, herbs, seedlings, hen, duck & turkey eggs through a local 'box scheme', direct from the farm gate, with excess been sent to wholesaler Ceres in Auckland. They also produce a number of weaner red devon beef calves each year for local sale - which doubles as a hobby for them.
through the KeriKeri Farmer's Market, some to wholesalers and some direct to customers.){kind=link}
){kind=link}