How is that spelt?

An ancient grain that’s enjoying a modern revival is being grown organically near Bulls in Manawatū. I talked to Harry Russell-Bowen of Ratahi Farm about the benefits and challenges of growing spelt. One of the many original species of wheat, spelt (Triticum spelta) is a cross between emmer wheat and goat grass. It’s grown today […]

Making Soil

Theresa Sjoquist

Turning food scraps into food production A climate action enterprise uses bokashi and no-turn composting methods to create carbon-rich, nutrient-dense soil. I talked to City to Farm who are diverting landfill to profitable crops. Betsy and David Kettle of City to Farm collect food scraps from commercial kitchens in Auckland and ferment them in bins […]

Blooming beautiful

Alstromeria at Organic BloomsTheresa Sjoquist

Flower farming wasn’t in the plan for Craig and Mandy Purvis, but grew out of a shift away from the corporate world and towards organics. They’re now one of the few certified organic flower growers in New Zealand. Craig and Mandy are originally from Scotland, and met in the UK. Craig was a forensic examiner […]

Light-earth sanctuary

Theresa Sjoquist

  Earth building is cheaper than conventional building – but only if you do it yourself, says Sam Southward. He built four light-earth constructions at the delightfully named Absurdistan Community near Kaiwaka.  Sam was happy to chat and share what it takes to build in light-earth. Sam (74) and his partner, Prasado Straub, have lived […]

Rich Pickings at a Feijoa Winery

Theresa Sjoquist

Tracing 49 years of Lothlorien, from its orchard beginnings to its evolution into the only organic feijoa winery in the world. From Detroit to Makarau In August 1971, amidst the foment of civil rights, Vietnam War protests and the new push towards organic food, twenty-year-old Dale DeMeulemeester left his native Detroit, USA, headed for New […]