Posted by Angie Gibbons on September 24, 2009 at 6:36am
www.shellybeachfarms.org.nz
Shelly Beach Farm lies 80km North West of Auckland on the Kaipara Harbour.
The farm covers 400 ha and is fully organic/bio dynamic with Demeter certification. John and Norrie Pearce have farmed the original 200 ha block since 1978
The trip was great (I forgot my Camera, but hoping others can post pics) and we got to see many aspects of the farm :
They showed us a different style of bee hive TOP BAR HIVE and explained how it was being trialled to reduce Veroa mite that is killing off so many hives. www.biobees.com if you want to know more about the hives.
The use of mixed grazing to help reduce the needs for chemicals, they use older mixed pasture plants, and minimal applications of fertilizers. In one paddock they had Emu (or Ostrich), Giant pigs, Cows and sheep. The are also trialling dung beetles to help remove animal waste from pasture and prevent runoff.
We learnt how they produce compost, fish fertilizer, Raw milk, make cheese, about Yacons (Yakons) that are a great asset to any garden (http://www.ehow.com/about_5118016_yacon.html) and so much more!
If you did the visit please add more as I only had a little time to put this together.
Angie
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Last week members of the Auckland Biodynamic gardening group came to visit Shelly Beach Farm. What an inspiring place! Not only this is a great example of a successful diversified property, it is also a place for research and practical study. While John Pierce presented the main features of the farm, residents and overseas students talked about some of the projects, which are currently being developed. Dung beetles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, top bar hives to help the bees fight against varroa, diversity in pasture to stop the use of fertilizers, yacons to reduce the incidence of diabetes, and the list goes on! this place seems to have amazing ideas to tackle the problems of modern times! Why don't we hear about it more often.
This is a must see for anyone interested in witnessing communities of micro organism, fungi, insects, animals, plants and people working peacefully together. What a great example for today's Humanity searching for a path towards a sustainable future!
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Last week members of the Auckland Biodynamic gardening group came to visit Shelly Beach Farm. What an inspiring place! Not only this is a great example of a successful diversified property, it is also a place for research and practical study. While John Pierce presented the main features of the farm, residents and overseas students talked about some of the projects, which are currently being developed. Dung beetles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, top bar hives to help the bees fight against varroa, diversity in pasture to stop the use of fertilizers, yacons to reduce the incidence of diabetes, and the list goes on! this place seems to have amazing ideas to tackle the problems of modern times! Why don't we hear about it more often.This is a must see for anyone interested in witnessing communities of micro organism, fungi, insects, animals, plants and people working peacefully together. What a great example for today's Humanity searching for a path towards a sustainable future!