If you eat you're involved in Agriculture

There are just four weeks to go until Federated Farmers Farm Day, 28 March 2010. Meet your local host farmer now and get the inside word on what they are planning to show their urban visitors.

“The simple act of eating involves everyone in agriculture,” says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.

“New Zealanders take for granted that they have access to quality food but few have visited a farm or thought about the source of their meals.

“Farmers in New Zealand are some of the world’s best producers but very rarely are their efforts recognised outside the farming community.

“We’re giving you the chance to meet with farmers who are passionate about their job and the land it depends on.

“Our farm hosts are all keen to do interviews on their farms and we have a great range of photos.

“The main theme of this year’s event is the Green Farmer, but each farm will have its own individual focus, exploring different aspects of farm life.

“The farms and farm hosts are a small taste of New Zealand’s highly diverse rural operations, growing a range of crops and producing, milk, meat and fibre.

“We are lucky to have a wide range of attractions, including Christine Fernyhough bringing a touch of the South Island High Country to Taranaki. Christine will join with local farmers in talking about farming as well as promoting her latest book on farm life, ‘Mark and Ben: Boys of the High Country’.

“Federated Farmers Farm Day is the country’s chance to shine as we show what we do and invite everyone to join us, to celebrate our industry,” concluded Mr Nicolson.

For further comment please contact:
Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President, 027 226 6331, 03 216 7405

For photos and assistance please contact:
Jo Turnbull, Federated Farmers Farm Day support team, 03 357 9457

For contact details for our Farm Hosts see below

Northland – learn about dairy farming from the best and meet some baby calves
Bruce and Julie Paton’s dairy farm, Manaia Park Estate, 2406 SH1, Whangarei
09 432 8446

Auckland – visit the home of milk on the city’s doorstep
Brian and Dianne Duder’s dairy farm, 848 North Road, Clevedon
09 292 8708

Hauraki-Coromandel – counting these sheep won’t make you sleepy
Mike and Sandra Morrison’s sheep and cattle farm, 2534 Kopu-Hikuai Road, Hikuai
07 864 7823

Waikato – count the ‘fruit salad’ cows and try some of their delicious milk
Scott and Nikola Mitchell’s dairy farm, 42 Koromatua Road, Hamilton
0272 298 116

Bay of Plenty – learn how grass becomes milk and watch working dogs
Noel and Marilyn McLeod, Andrew and Robyn McLeod’s dairy farm 1189 Welcome Bay Road, Papamoa
0274 204 460

Rotorua/Taupo – learn how McDonalds finest burgers are grown
Barugh, Heather and Neil Heather’s Angus cattle stud, Heather Dell 945 Paradise Valley Road, Rotorua
07 357 2142

Ruapehu – try NZ’s best steak and wine and meet some gorgeous calves
Don Buchanan and Cherie Riches Piedmontese cattle stud, Rangiriri, 560B Hikumutu Road, Taumarunui
07 8966 845

Gisborne/Wairoa –trace wools journey from the sheep’s back to yours
Bruce and Jo Graham, Rob and Sandra Faulkner’s sheep, beef and cropping farm, Wairakaia Station, Muriwai
Bruce and Jo, 06 862 8075, Rob and Sandra, 06 862 8655

Hawke’s Bay – learn if it is easier to count sheep or goats?
Philip and Robyn Holt’s sheep, cattle and goat farm,166 Holt Road, Bayview
06 836 6386

Tararua – Discover secrets of the soil and meet a life saving cow
Keith and Kim Riley’s dairy farm, 206 Broomfield Road, Woodville
06 376 4939

Taranaki – pit your sheep counting skills against the High Country’s Christine Fernyhough and listen to stories about “Ben and Mark; Boys of the High Country”
Peter and Gerald Carver’s sheep farm, 751 Meremere Road, Hawera
06 272 2812

Wanganui – see how green grass become refreshing milk
Alan, Jeanette and John Davison’s dairy farm, 270 Rapanui Road, Wanganui
06 345 8024

Manawatu/Rangitikei – try on a sheep’s jersey
Brian and Stu Waters’ sheep and cattle farm, 299 Turitea Road, Palmerston North
06 354 8526

Wairarapa – see how interesting and fun farming can be
Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, 529 Cornwall Road, Masterton
Stephen Carr 06 378 2116

Nelson – meet Brightwater’s fittest cows
David and Pauline Marshall’s dairy farm, 213 Teapot Valley Road, Brightwater
03 542 3629

Marlborough – Stretch your legs and check out the stunning views
Gary and Jo Barnett’s mixed cropping farm,132 Kaituna-Tuamarina Road, Blenheim
03 570 5586

West Coast – see how technology helps farmers
Robb Family dairy farm, 69 Hanmer Terrace, Gladstone
03 762 6363

North Canterbury – meet some baby calves and have an inground adventure
Lincoln University Dairy Farm, Shands Road, Lincoln
Ron Pellow 03 325 3686

Mid Canterbury – learn what cows and computers have in common
Andy and Tricia Macfarlane’s dairy farm, 88 Rundles Road, Ashburton
03 308 5446

South Canterbury – count the trout and check out a tanker
Andy Palmer and Sharon Collett’s dairy farm, 534 Muff Road, Temuka
03 615 7098

North Otago – try your hand at farming in the 1800’s
Totara Estate Harvest Home Festival, SH1, 8km’s south of Oamaru
Ross Ewing 03 439 5292

Otago – have a go at counting sheep and see dogs with amazing skills
Waiora farm, 78 Silverstream Valley Road, Dunedin
Russell Adam 029 489 9184

Southland – watch a dog at work and try a swede
Grant and Sharon Hubber’s sheep farm, 534 Oporo Flat Road, Invercargill
03 235 2851