Fung-tastic business taking off

Rural > Fung-tastic business taking off

by Gianina Schwanecke | 21 Feb, 2020 | Rural

Barbs and Hamish Wadham love meat just as much as they love the mushrooms they grow. PHOTOS/GIANINA SCHWANECKE GIANINA SCHWANECKE Mushrooms – people either love them or hate them. But one Carterton couple is hoping to change all that with their recent venture Urban... read more

Farmers at the forefront of biodiversity

Rural > Farmers at the forefront of biodiversity

by Gianina Schwanecke | 19 Feb, 2020 | Rural

More than 2.8 million hectares of native vegetation is located on New Zealand sheep and beef farms. PHOTO/FILE GIANINA SCHWANECKE gianina.schwanecke@age.co.nz Farmers are increasingly involved in biodiversity projects and with significant portions of farmland covered... read more

Forestry industry going with the flow

Rural > Forestry industry going with the flow

by Gianina Schwanecke | 13 Feb, 2020 | Rural

Most of Wairarapa’s logs for exports are sent to Wellington’s port, an increasing number through the railway line. PHOTO/MARCUS ANSELM GIANINA SCHWANECKE talks to the third of three Wairarapa locals who recently completed the Kellogg Rural Leadership programme.... read more

Navigating countryside narratives

Rural > Navigating countryside narratives

by Gianina Schwanecke | 7 Feb, 2020 | Rural

Palliser Ridge is a 1320-hectare [1150-hectare effective] coastal sheep and beef property in South Wairarapa. PHOTO/FILE GIANINA SCHWANECKE talks to the second of three Wairarapa locals who recently completed the Kellogg Rural Leadership programme. This week, Lisa... read more

Old dogs, new tricks explored

Rural > Old dogs, new tricks explored

by Gianina Schwanecke | 3 Feb, 2020 | Rural

Quadbikes and tractors are one of the leading causes of on farm workplace fatalities. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES GIANINA SCHWANECKE talks to the first of three Wairarapa locals who recently completed the Kellogg Rural Leadership programme. This week, Nicky Barton on... read more

Book to get the mind fit

Rural > Book to get the mind fit

by Christine Dornan | 13 Dec, 2019 | Rural

Maree McManaway. PHOTO/GIANINA SCHWANECKE GIANINA SCHWANECKE gianina.schwanecke@age.co.nz For 23 years, Maree McManaway helped run the family dairy farm in Dalefield alongside husband Mark. But for the past 11 years, she has helped those in our community as a life... read more

Dairy farm experience gives Hammond an edge

Rural > Dairy farm experience gives Hammond an edge

by Gianina Schwanecke | 19 Nov, 2019 | Rural

Left to right: Henry Smith (4th), Ben Galloway (2nd), Hamish Hammond (1st) and Andrew Moffatt (3rd). PHOTO/SUPPLIED GIANINA SCHWANECKE gianina.schwanecke@age.co.nz Quad bike driving, shearing, first aid, sewing and equine care were just some of the skills tested at... read more

Food forests branching out big time

Rural > Food forests branching out big time

by Gianina Schwanecke | 15 Nov, 2019 | Rural

Garry Foster’s food forest in Matahiwi was a labour of love. PHOTOS/GIANINA SCHWANECKE GIANINA SCHWANECKE There’s a quiet order to the seemingly untamed wildness of food forest gardens. Combining fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and perennial vegetables... read more