increase font size
45 farmers opened their gates to visitors on Sunday.
Over 5500 people spent the day on farms around the country on Sunday.
45 farmers opened their gates to visitors on Sunday for New Zealand’s inaugural nationwide open farm day.
Farms of all types and sizes participated: from high-country sheep stations in Otago to dairy farms in the Waikato and even an indoor, vertical microgreens producer in Wellington.
A wide range of activities were on offer for visitors, says Open Farms founder Daniel Eb.
“From compost making to bush and stream tours, petting zoos, working dog demonstrations and fruit picking, today was about Kiwis reconnecting with our land, food and farmers, and having a bit of old-school fun.”
Open Farms events ranged in size and format, from small farm walks for 25 people to local food and farming festivals for 500+. More than three-quarters of events were fully booked, particularly those close to urban centres.
“To see such enthusiasm from both farmers and townies in our first year is really encouraging” says Eb.
“We built Open Farms to grow into an annual event and we’re now working off a great year-one foundation. Looking more broadly, today is a reflection that many Kiwis share our vision for a more open and collaborative national farming story too.”
Open Farms is backed by five sponsors - Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ, the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, Farmside Powered by Vodafone and the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures fund.
Business Advisors and Accountants (BFA) and Craigs Investment Partners will be hosting an event later this month where they will take a deeper look at the practical and emotional side of succession planning.
The annual Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival – a fusion of books and storytelling - celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
New Zealand's largest celebration of rural sports athletes and enthusiasts – New Zealand Rural Games - is back for its 10th edition, kicking off in Palmerston North from Thursday, March 6th to Sunday, March 9th, 2025.
Underground festival is an event for farmers and growers which celebrates the land through great food and inspiring conversations, says event organiser Fran Bailey.
Open Farms is calling on farmers to sign up to host an open day event on their farm this year.
New Zealand’s dairy sector cannot expect India to be a market for all its dairy products.
Meat processor ANZCO Foods’ net profit has plunged on the back of lower market returns which squeezed margins and impacted business performance.
OPINION: Most people will be aware of the Government's plans to boost coal, oil and gas production to meet energy requirements.
AgriZeroNZ has entered a new partnership with Britain's national innovation agency, Innovate UK.
Twenty rural community hubs across New Zealand will receive $5,000 to upgrade their facilities having been selected as the winners of Rabobank's Community Hub Competition.
As the dairy industry prepares to celebrate its top achievers at an awards night this Saturday, attendees are being warned to be aware of protests planned outside the venue – Baypark Arena, Mount Mauganaui.
OPINION: The good fight against "banking wokery" continues with a draft bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and…
OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the…
