New Zealand went country for Federated Farmers Farm Day

New Zealand went country for Federated Farmers Farm Day on Sunday. Around 4000 people visited the 23 farms which opened their gates to show what goes on down on the farm.

“It was an impressive turn out considering the weather didn’t play ball in a number of regions and it was well up on last year,” says Federated Farmers President, Don Nicolson.

“It was a fantastic day with farmers able to show the public the real organic and green New Zealand and that they really do care about the environment.

“Those people who visited dairy farms were able to see just how good we now are at recycling effluent in ways that benefit the land.

“The farm visitors certainly appreciated the range of activities the farmers put on, from drafting and shearing sheep, dog trials, milking through to spinning yarn. In North Otago helpers cooked a massive 2500 pikelets at the event which was part of the Harvest Home Festival.

“For many children it was the first opportunity they’d had to touch a sheep or feed a calf.

“And that’s a worrying trend. We now have a second generation of New Zealanders who have never been on a farm.

“It wasn’t that long ago when every New Zealander seemed to have a relative or friend who owned a farm and kiwi kids visiting a farm was as natural as riding a bike.

“It’s great we’ve got Farm Day to help build understanding between town and country,” Mr Nicolson concluded.