We were announced on 31 August as a finalist in the 2018 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards. The farm is one of nine finalists in the ‘transforming food’ category (or ‘good food’) and only the second dairy farm to be recognised. “We couldn’t be more excited and proud to be selected alongside amazing New Zealand businesses we admire and respect”, says Louise. The news came in the same week as we opened our farm shop, selling produce and honey directly to New Zealanders. Four years ago, we created a strategy and roadmap to have an innovation-driven, high-value sustainable agricultural practice. It’s great to get recognition for the efforts the family have put in. 

The challenges facing the dairy industry, both locally and internationally, at times can seem heavy and overwhelming. There continues to be debate around how dairy transitions in the context of climate change. Not to mention consumers’ changing needs and ultimately the industry’s ‘social license’ to operate. It’s our opinion that higher-level policy discussions often don’t drill down to the farm-level. But, this is where real change will ultimately happen. We feel it is imperative for dairy farmers in particular, to have an understanding of key environmental impacts and indicators.