Zac Torwick, future farmer, selling his pine cones at the Wairarapa Farmers’ Market. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Lisa Urbani
Zac Torwick is a seven-year-old on a mission.
Each Saturday with his ‘Nana Baa’ [alias Megan Mitchell], and Grandad Stu permitting – he loads up the pine cones he collects with them on their 32ha block in Mauriceville, and goes to the Wairarapa Farmers’ Market at the Solway Showgrounds.
His ambition is to be a farmer, and he reckons he needs about 20 hectares to achieve that.
He also wants a pig dog, sheep, cattle, and a horse, a pet pig, and a pet deer – a confident Year 2 pupil at Opaki School he sells his pine cones for a very reasonable $5.
‘Nana Baa’ [her nickname because of her sheep] said, “he is a very good hunter too for his age”, having shot two rabbits already.
The pine cone collecting is a family tradition. ‘Nana Baa’ used to take his big brother Ben Torwick to the market as well.
His big sister, Genevieve Brownrigg, is in the UK to pursue her singing career.
It’s a great bonding exercise for Zac and his grandparents, and he earns good money for his bags of cones, selling 31 of the 38 he took to market last Saturday.
Someday he should have a tidy nest-egg, thanks to ‘Nana Baa’ taking care of his finances, all funds going into his own account.
A farming neighbour also kindly helps Zac by giving him feed bags to put his cones in.
The pine cones are just the thing for a cosy fire now that winter is upon us, and you will be supporting a little boy who has big dreams.
Find Zac at the Wairarapa Farmers’ Market, Solway Showgrounds, Saturdays 9am-1pm.
