Down on the farm for open day
This Sunday Lindsay Farm will be flinging open the gates and inviting the public to its third Lindsay Farm Open Day.
Since the last open day there has been an added attraction with the establishment of the Ashton Family Organics Free Range Chickens, a flock of hens producing eggs for the local market, but also so quiet that children will be able to get right up close, says Ange Brooks, one of the day’s organisers.
“We started the open days to get people out onto the farm to see how it is run. So many urban people, especially children, haven’t set foot on a farm before and there is a massive disconnect between the public and where their food comes from,” Ange says.
“There is also negativity about farming; how we treat our animals and our waterways, our effect on the environment. There’s a perception that we’re all about big business, profit at any cost.
“It’s really helpful to to open the gates and show people we’re not like that. That’s why we are open to the public, not just to our customers.”
Ange says the farm already has an open door policy.
“It gives us integrity, we have nothing to hide and people can know what they are getting.
“But to have a day with 500 people here is very cool. It’s a huge commitment, we have to get food and coffee trucks, organise safety aspects, competition prizes, host the public on the day . . . by the end of it we are exhausted but it’s so satisfying.”
The farm tour is self-guided. People can wander from one aspect of the farm to the next; the chicken flocks, the cow herd, the milking shed and bottling plant, where members of the farming family will explain each aspect of the farming operation and answer questions.
Down beside the shady creek that runs through the farm Ange will be hosting the “family area” with two coffee trucks, food truck and a cheese-making demonstration by the Farmhouse Kitchen.
This is where the children get free rein, Ange says.
“We have a water slide and they can splash and swim in the creek. I’m training two calves so children can get right up close to them, we have competitions — colouring in, name a calf . . . we keep the children occupied so parents can wander the farm.
“Some of them have come a long way and the kids can get bored looking at cows.”
“We always get a great reaction — people love it, most say they are blown away by experience, It exceeds their expectations.”
Lindsay Farm Open Day, noon-4pm Sunday March 1, 601 Lindsay Rd Waipukurau. RSVP with numbers to Ange: info@yourmilk.nz or phone 027 543 2096.