Fixing today to protect tomorrow
Environmental work labour of love for Taranaki’s Donna and Phillip Cram
Donna Cram always wanted to be a dairy farmer. She became an accountant because she likes numbers, but she grew up on a farm and says even during her training years she never gave up on the dream.
She and husband Philip have farmed in Awatuna, South Taranaki for 28 years and have owned their current farm for 23, since they bought the original block and later purchased half of Cram’s parents’ farm. They’re committed to improving the environment and were recognised for this in 2016, winning the Fonterra Environmental Leadership in Dairy Farming award for the Taranaki region. The Crams were also one of three finalists for the 2021 Fonterra Responsible Dairy Award, and Donna was 2023’s Fonterra Dairy Woman of the year.
Maintaining a viable farm business means looking at every aspect of it, Donna says. “We’re looking at greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures through efficiencies all the time. We’ve reduced our GHG intensity by 14 per cent. But it’s not just about the environment and we can’t look at just GHGs on their own.
“We’ve got to look at everything, including environment, biosecurity and animal shade and shelter.”
The Crams have worked with
DairyNZ, Niwa and Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) over the past couple of years to construct a wetland on their Awatuna farm. Wetlands can significantly reduce nutrient and sediment losses on farms and improve water quality. They also boost biodiversity and can provide habitat for birds and fish.
This project was a labour of love for Donna, who’s on the National Advisory Committee for Dairy Environment Leaders. She helps drive positive change and leads by example in reducing environmental footprint. She’s passionate about helping communities and other farmers build a more environmental, economic and socially sustainable future.
Donna and Philip feel they have a good handle on legislative changes ahead, but Donna says many farmers in Taranaki don’t feel the same. “That’s why Taranaki Catchment Communities was set up, to try and help people through change.
The Crams have one full-time team member — assistant manager, Jacinta Kete. Kete is 23 and in her third fulltime season of milking. She’s the vicechair of Taranaki-Manawatu Young Farmers and was the 2023 Taranaki Dairy Industry Awards trainee of the year. The Crams are very proud.
“We’re trying to make a lifestyle for her as well, and we want her to love what she does.
“Farming is such an exciting industry to be part of,” Donna says.
She knows first-hand the value of training, having just completed the Introduction to New Zealand’s Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Management course at Massey University and has been accepted for the Fonterra Governance Programme in 2024. She’s also a graduate of the Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT) Escalator programme, which is designed to give women the mindsets, skills and connections to create change in agriculture and rural communities.
Being a Dairy Environment Leader (DEL) has been part of Donna’ learning journey. She attends an annual national DEL forum in Wellington, which enables the about-400 DELs nationally to connect, support each other and share successes and advice. This has been the highlight of her time as a DEL.
In addition to her DEL and study commitments, Donna is a Taranaki regional councillor and a Dairy Trust Taranaki trustee.
The work she and Philip are doing means the business is constantly evolving. She says the hard work is worth it to ensure the farm is sustainable for future generations. ■