RNZ: Country Life

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

News that the government is looking to support a market system to help fund the huge cost of restoring nature could be music to the ears of farmers and iwi wanting to do their bit for biodiversity but facing huge costs. So what are biodiversity credits and how do they work? You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Sean Weaver, EKOSHayden Johnston, Ministry for the EnvironmentGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life celebrates Matariki with stories about Māori horticultural wisdom and a couple setting up star gazing experiences on their farm. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:48 - Rural News Wrap6:02 - Nick Roskruge - digging into indigenous knowledge14:05 - 'We can grow anything here': A family's growing experiment28:36 - Stars, soil and whakapapa - 'We're just caretakers really'With thanks to guests:Nick RoskrugeThe McClutchie whānauMark and Susannah Guscott, Glen Eden FarmsMake 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

This Matariki, the stars align for Mark and Susannah Guscott - award winners bringing whakapapa and astronomy together on their sixth-generation Wairarapa farm. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.You can learn more about Glen Eden Farms, here. You can also learn more about their Star Safari, here.And for Whitimanuka Retreat, see here.In this episode:0:50 - Roots that run deep5:13 - Changing land uses7:27 - Whitimanuka11:40 - Sheep and beef18:09 - Star SafariWith thanks to:Mark and Susannah GuscottMake 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

The McClutchie whānau explores growing different crops, with aspirations to grow Māori medicinal plants, on their family whenua in North Taranaki.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can learn more about Venture Taranaki's Branching Out, here. Or by listening to this interview with Michelle Bauer here.With thanks to:Rawiri McClutchie, Davis McClutchie, Richard McClutchie, and Anne-Maree McKayGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nick Rahiri Roskruge is Country Life's guest this week. His work in agriculture and soil science have taken him far afield looking at crops sustaining indigenous communities. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Nick RoskrugeGo 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 is out and about at Fieldays, meets a boy with a side hustle farming quail eggs, and chats around the kitchen table with the Harvey family about their century of farming.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:41 - Rural News Wrap7:45 - Rural Women NZ at 10015:45 - The Quail Kid - cracking the egg market aged 1227:45 - From generation to generation - a century at DaisybankWith thanks to guests:Sandra Matthews, Rural Women New ZealandHamish Sturgeon & Giovanni VicoThe Harvey FamilyMake 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

Strong family support, innovation and a dash of good luck have seen the Harvey family of Wairarapa clock up a hundred years on Daisybank Farm near Martinborough. They're banking on a similar mix to see them through the next century. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:1:02 - Life at Daisybank4:10 - The next generation takes over7:23 - 100 years of farming10:17 - 100 years of Harveys15:41 - Experience life on farmWith thanks to:Owen Harvey, John and Emma HarveyMake 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

Hamish Sturgeon is on his first farming venture rearing quails for their eggs. They're healthy, delicious and it's a fun side-hustle keeping the cute little birds fed, watered and healthy, the young teen says. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Hamish Sturgeon and his mum Briar SturgeonGiovanni VicoGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

As Rural Women New Zealand marks its centennial year, it hopes a $250,000 boost in government funding can help fuel its mission to connect, support, and advocate for women in rural communities. President Sandra Matthews is Country Life's guest this week. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.You can read more about the centenary rose, here.With thanks:Sandra Matthews, Rural Women New ZealandGo 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 delves into the world of protein, finds out how a small community raises money for a rescue service through its hunting competition and meets an orchardist with a knack for upcycling as well as growing. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:44 - Rural News Wrap07:30 - The Power of Protein16:48 - Bob Teal's Bruntwood Orchard30:23 - The small town hunting competition that's helping save livesWith thanks to guests:Distinguished professor Paul Moughan, The Riddet InstituteBob Teal, Bruntwood OrchardAbbey MaherMake 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 annual Pongaroar hunting competition is remote Tarara District helps hunters and farmers tackle growing pest numbers, while getting together and raising funds for the local rescue helicopter. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Abbey MaherMake 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

Bob Teale's resourcefulness has allowed him to keep growing a niche range of berries into his 80s at Bruntwood Orchard near Cambridge. He uses upcycled push chairs as picking trolleys and adapted his golf cart to run under his DIY tunnel houses. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Bob Teal, Bruntwood OrchardGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Distinguished professor Paul Moughan from the Riddet Institute breaks down what protein is, why we need it and all the things you need to know when considering your protein fix. You can find photos and read more about this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks: Distinguished professor Paul Moughan, The Riddet InstituteGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details