Country Life takes you down country roads to meet ordinary people achieving their dreams. We live in a beautiful country...
This week Country Life learns more about a dairy alternative made from barley and how farm life influences a Waitaki illustrator's work. The team also revisits a Cambridge farming family using regenerative agriculture to finish sheep and cattle they process for their butchery, Wholly Cow.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:37 - Creamy, sustainable and high in fibre - barley eyes up the dairy aisle9:33 - Rural News Wrap17:16 - From gumboots to storybooks - Farming with a twist of magic29:19 - Wholly Cow: Cambridge butcher's childhood dream come trueWith thanks to guests:Dr Gert-Jan Moggré, Plant and Food ResearchEmma Nowell, EJV DesignLuke, Tom and Carrie Andrews of Wholly Cow and FlockMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The Andrews family has gone from selling farm-raised meats at the Cambridge Farmers' Market to running their own butchery, adding a micro-abattoir, tannery and tallow production to complete the whole. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.You can also listen back to when we first met the family here.In this episode:0:20 - Luke takes us round Wholly Cow4:41 - Paddock to plate7:38 - We meet Tom and Carrie back at the farm9:33 - From tallow to tannery14:05 - The micro-abattoir and a regenerative approachWith thanks to:Luke, Tom and Carrie Andrews of Wholly Cow and FlockMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Emma Nowell transforms life on the land into art, children's stories and games, while keeping the farm and family at the heart of it all. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to guests:Emma Nowell, EJV DesignGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A new barley, bred for high fibre and low waste, is being turned into milk and yoghurt - a sustainable alternative with benefits for farmers and big potential in the global dairy-free market. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to guests:Dr Gert-Jan Moggré, Plant and Food ResearchGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
This week Country Life learns more about a woman trialling growing rice at her home in Nelson, we check in with dog trainer Chris and his young star Miley one last time and we take a look back through the archives to revisit the battle for the West Coast's top rugby prize, the Woodham Shield.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:40 - Rural News Wrap6:22 - Here Now: Yuki Fukuda's trials with rice10:23 - Miley the Huntaway's a 'main act' now25:02 - From the Archive: Mud and bloodWith thanks to:Dr Yuki FukudaChris Shaw and Miley the HuntawayMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A trip to the archives where tradition meets passion as four South Westland teams compete for the region's foremost rugby prize, the Woodham Shield. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can find photos from the day, here.Make sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
For the past year, Country Life has been in the yards or out in the paddock watching Wairarapa dog triallist Chris Shaw train up his latest working dog, Miley - a young Huntaway that's got that "X-factor". You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Revisit our first meeting with Chris and Miley to see what progress she has made.You can also find previous training sessions to track her progress, here and here.With thanks to:Chris Shaw and Miley the HuntawayGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Pretty much the last place you'd think you'd find a rice paddy growing is on a hill in Nelson, but Yuki Fukuda is doing just that. You can find photos and more information from this story, here. Or take a listen, here.Here Now is another of RNZ's podcasts meeting people from all over the world who've made New Zealand home, bringing their music, sport, traditions and food with themWith thanks to:Dr Yuki FukudaGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
This week Country Life takes a look at efforts to save soil on farms at both ends of the country and takes you to taste some traditional kai in the Bay of Plenty. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:36- 'Planning key' to getting winter grazing right10:00 - Rural News Wrap15:52 - The Soil Hacker - one farmer's quest to outsmart the weather30:55 - Kōrero and Kai - sharing stories and flavours on the maraeWith thanks to:Karl Erikson and Brad Thomas, Environment SouthlandStephen NewmanReon Tuanau and Oscar NathanMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Producer Justine Murray flexes her tastebuds on traditional kai cooked up at Otawhiwhi Marae where food and stories came together as part of this year's Flavours of Plenty Festival. It's the first time a marae has taken part in the Bay of Plenty's annual foodie event. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Reon Tuanau and Oscar NathanMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Kaipara farmer Stephen Newman is intent on improving soils and pasture in low cost, natural ways. He's now helping others too and hopes these methods will become even more useful as the country experiences more and more intense weather events like flooding, heavy rainfall and drought. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can find our previous episode on City to Farm, here, or learn more on their website.With thanks to:Stephen NewmanGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
The gloom and wet of winter is especially challenging for Southland's farms where pasture can go for nearly a third of the year without growth. Country Life heads south to find out how to keep paddocks and stock in good nick. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Karl Erikson and Brad Thomas, Environment SouthlandGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
This week Country Life takes you to a dairy farm with a difference, supplying milk direct to the customer, and the team checks in at a lab where work is underway to stop a tiny pest munching through grapevines.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:43- One year, one hospital, one community8:01 - On the Farm: a wrap of conditions around the country15:25 - Harnessing plant power to combat vineyard threats28:05 - Calving a Niche - Faith Farm Fresh keeps milk flowing direct to customersWith thanks to guests:Sophia ZohrabMichelle Thompson, Plant and Food ResearchStacey Faith, Faith Farm FreshMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
It's a busy time of year for Stacey Faith, calving 300-plus cows, rearing their calves and keeping the Faith Farm's roadside milk dispensing outlet going, providing locals with milk fresh from the cows over the fence - with the cream on top. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:16 - Faith Farm Fresh3:44 - Raw milk direct to the customer7:33 - Milking time14:14 - In the calf shed19:24 - A side(hustle) of beefWith thanks to:Stacey Faith, Faith Farm FreshMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Are some grapevines better that others at naturally defending themselves from a disease-spreading pest? Michelle Thompson is running trials at Plant & Food Research in Lincoln to find out. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Michelle Thompson, Plant and Food ResearchGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
With rural health care under the spotlight, our guest this week sheds some light on working in a small country hospital. Sophia Zohrab is among 12 med students on Auckland University's rural medicine immersion programme, sprinkled around North Island towns. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Sophia ZohrabGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Country Life speaks to farmers and growers around New Zealand to find out about growing conditions over the past month. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
This week Country Life takes you to a farm grazing pigs and cattle beneath solar panels and meets organic honey producers Shayne and Elizabeth Mackenzie, and a recent Lincoln University graduate. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:44 - An update on Tasman2:22 - Rural News Wrap7:32 - Connecting people 'from the land' with those working on the land14:38 - Sweet success for Coromandel couple's organic honey29:30 - 'Learning along the way' with agrivoltaicsWith thanks to guests:Harris MoanaShayne and Elizabeth Mackenzie, Woodlands Organic HoneyNigel and Merrin Upchurch, and Matt ShanksMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Dual land use, with pigs and cattle grazing under solar panels, has unlocked new opportunities for Waitangi Farm in Waiuku. Mostly importantly say Nigel and Merrin Upchurch, it aligns with their values. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:16 - Feeding time at Waitangi Farm5:03 - Homecoming and an ecologist's 'classroom'9:10 - What is agrivoltaics?12:40 - Lightyears Solar17:52 - Pioneering effortWith thanks to:Nigel and Merrin Upchurch, and Matt Shanks of Lightyears SolarMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A honey shed on a hill is buzzing with the sound of honey flowing into jars as the bees take a hard-earned rest from honey making. Country Life meets Shayne and Elizabeth Mackenzie whose organic honey is produced from hives scattered over remote parts of the northern Coromandel peninsula. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.You can learn more about Woodland's Honey, here.With thanks to:Shayne and Elizabeth MackenzieGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Time spent helping his grandparents on their whenua near Kāwhia inspired a love of farming for Harris Moana. Having just finished his Agribusiness studies he's now focussed on building his reo so he can act as a bridge between industry and tangata whenua. With thanks to:Harris MoanaGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
This week producer Cosmo Kentish-Barnes is in his wet weather gear in the Tasman district meeting farmers and other rural residents, still battered and bruised from one catastrophic weather event, staring down the barrel of another deluge. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode here.In this episode:0.38 News wrap6.20 Tasman's rural resilience tested by back-to-back stormsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
As a second weather bomb lashed the Tasman region, Cosmo Kentish-Barnes was on the ground with farmers and rural people, still battered and bruised from the first flood and staring down the barrel of another deluge. You can find photos and read more here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A wrap of the week's news from RNZ's rural news desk Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
This week Country Life follows the trail of food scraps from the table to farms with the City to Farm project north of Auckland, meets two young farming-focused youngsters at the top of their game, and dips into the archives to head to a working farm dog sale. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Food scraps from retirement villages and schools are helping to nourish a banana orchard and other farms via the City to Farm project, which aims to keep organic waste out of landfill and help curb climate change. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Find out more about the City to Farm project here .Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A dip into the archives when Cosmo Kentish-Barnes attended the 64th annual Ashburton cattle and sheep dog sale to find out what these hard-working dogs are worth. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Rangiora High School students John Lundy and Harry Parish were awarded one of New Zealand's top primary sector accolades at last weekend's FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Southland. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A wrap of news from the rural news deskGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
This week Country Life returns to a vegetable farm to see whether it's radical plan to feed the community is working and looks at plans for plastic waste on farm. And the team meet a animal advocate who has turned her rural property in North Canterbury into a haven for rescued farm animals.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:43 - On the Farm8:30 - Agrecovery: Rural recycling on the rise16:08 - Crooked Vege's pay-what-you-can model feeding families two years on30:16 - Snorts, snuggles and second chances at animal sanctuaryWith thanks to guests:Tony Wilson, AgrecoveryJonathan Mines, Crooked VegeSharlene Wilson, Canterbury Tails Animal Rescue SanctuaryMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Sharlene Wilson has turned her rural property in North Canterbury into a haven for rescued farm animals who find healing, freedom and a place to truly belong. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:12 - Animals of all shapes and sizes4:38 - In search of a new home9:40 - Meet Marshmallow13:48 - VolunteersWith thanks to:Sharlene Wilson, Canterbury Tails Animal Rescue SanctuaryMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Crooked Vege's pay-what-you-can model for its vege boxes may have been a radical idea two years ago but it's plan seems to be working. The small farm has had its challenges, though. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.If you'd like to support Crooked Vege's fundraiser, go to their websiteGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Agrecovery's seen huge growth in the 20 years it's been operating, with those in the primary sector looking for new ways to recycle on-farm plastic. "We know the farmers and growers are wanting solutions." You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can learn more about Agrecovery, here. And for more information about the proposed regulations, see here.With thanks to:Tony WilsonGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Country Life speaks to farmers and growers around New Zealand to find out about growing conditions over the past month. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
This week Country Life dives underground to take a closer look at soils, from Canterbury farmers using the Japanese Bokashi system to a market gardener making garden beds as rich as chocolate cake in Taranaki. We also unpack the recently announced biodiversity credits. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:48 - Rural News Wrap 5:52 - Dollars for nature - a look at biodiversity credits17:51 - Bokashi by the Tonne - Farmers turns waste into natural fertiliser31:30 - Roebuck Farm: Where the garden beds are rich 'like chocolate cake'With thanks to guests:Sean Weaver, EkosHayden JohnstonTim Hawke and Murray WeaverJodi Roebuck, Roebuck FarmMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Over the past 20 years, Jodi Roebuck and his wife Tanya have turned a bare paddock into a thriving market garden with an emphasis on microgreens, teachers others from around the world how to do the same. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.You can learn more about Roebuck Farm, here.In this episode:0:19 - Roebuck Farm3:26 - Cover crops7:04 - Microgreens14:19 - Wash and packWith thanks to:Jodi RoebuckMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Bokashi, the Japanese anaerobic composting system which ferments organic matter, is helping to maintain healthy soils on a sheep and dairy grazing farm in North Canterbury.You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Tim Hawke and Murray WeaverGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
A round-up of the week's news from the primary sector.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details