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regen ag

How to improve pastural soil health
Featured | Regenerative Farming

How to improve pastural soil health

Nick Collins knows how to talk about soil health. The former organic dairy farmer from Piopio has made it his business to share his hard-earned knowledge about how to improve…

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In the weeks after moving to a new rural property, In the weeks after moving to a new rural property, it can sometimes feel as though you’re staying at an Airbnb or some kind of holiday accommodation. For Alissa and Tim Wilson, who moved to their new home on a North Canterbury olive grove almost a year ago, the feeling that they’re visiting the Mediterranean still hasn't subsided. “We just pinch ourselves every day thinking, ‘how on earth did this actually happen?’” Alissa says. With 1,800 olive trees spread out across seven hectares, the property – named Kin Grove – will not only provide a vast playground for Oliver (4) and Avie (1), but also a lifetime’s worth of learning for Alissa and Tim. The couple are on a journey of discovery to learn everything there is to know about olive trees, with plans to produce quality, NZ-made olive oil this year. “We need to make money out of it and turn it into more than just a side hustle. We don't know how big it could get, but we want it to thrive.” ........ An extract from Issue 3 of On the Land, featuring the enterprising family from Kin Grove Olives. Subscribe to get access to our back issues and read the full story, and follow their jouney and production process at @kin.grove #oliveoil #olivegroves #foodproduction #horticulture #rural #ruralliving #slowread #printmagazine
The highest of praise from a happy reader. Always The highest of praise from a happy reader. Always satisfying when you're likened to the masters! #ruralstories #rurallife #countrycalendar #thegoodlife #farminglife
On the Land is proud to be partnering with Lisa an On the Land is proud to be partnering with Lisa and Tradd from @threesistersfarm_ to give away a beautiful handmade tallow soap with every one-year subscription to our print magazine. These soaps are made by Lisa from the farm's regeneratively-raised cows and are infused with all-natural herbal ingredients. No chemicals or preservatives. The giveaway will run until stocks last so get in quick. #tallow #tallowskincare #selfreliance #homesteadlife #homesteading
Instagram post 18032708522652387 Instagram post 18032708522652387
On a typical morning after breakfast, the three si On a typical morning after breakfast, the three sisters – Ruby (5), Malia (3), Althea (1) – go with one of their parents to help out with the daily tasks. If they’re with their mum, Lisa, they’ll do some garden work, pick yarrow or clover for her infusions, or maybe do some baking in the kitchen. With their dad, Tradd, they’ll move the roosters, collect eggs, help him milk the cow, or watch him put in standards for fencing. Whatever they’re doing, it’s an intentional part of life on Three Sisters Farm – the foundation of Tradd and Lisa’s plan to teach their daughters how to grow nutrient-dense food and care for the land on which they live. “For us this lifestyle started as a dream to be self-sufficient and provide nutrient- dense food for our children, but it has truly become more than that,” says Lisa, who gave birth to a fourth daughter, Bonnie, five months ago. “It has evolved into a deep connection to our land and environment that involves total respect and understanding of nature.” .......... An extract from Issue 4 of On the Land, featuring the amazing family from @threesistersfarm_ and their mission to nurture the land and themselves inline with the wisdom from @nourishingtraditions and @westonaprice. Subscribe to get sent the magazine direct to your door and read the full story! Link in bio 🌿 This story was made possible with the generous support of the team at @topflite_nz 📸 @sophiemilsonphoto #homesteading #homesteadlife #nourishingtraditions #nutrientdense #foodrevolution #growyourownfoods #selfreliance #printaintdead
In issue 4 of On the Land (on sale now), @frida_ke In issue 4 of On the Land (on sale now), @frida_keegan of @permadynamics shares a template to start your very own syntropic agroforest. Syntropic agroforestry is the practice of growing food by mimicking natural ecosystems, ensuring that the health of our soil improves with every growing season. Plant species are selected based on their function, life-cycle and ability to support other plants in the forest. It can be a lot to think about, but with Frida's comprehensive explainer, planting a food forest and growing an abundance of nutrient-dense food is possible for everyone. Subscribe now to receive the magazine and get exclusive access to the full story – and Frida's syntropy columns in every issue. #syntropicfarming #syntropicagroforestry #foodforest #permaculture #printaintdead #foodrevolution
We've been huge fans of @gillian.swinton for years We've been huge fans of @gillian.swinton for years and have watched with excitement as her incredible knowledge of self-sufficiency and homesteading reaches more and more people. Now, with the release of her delightful and comprehensive book, The Good Life, she's effectively become a homesteading celebrity – and it's exactly what she deserves. We published an extract of her book in our latest issue, and although it's incredibly hard to pick just one thing, we went for the chapter on making tallow – which is rightly seeing a boom in interest at the moment. We also have three copies of The Good Life to giveaway to readers or subscribers! Pick up a copy or subscribe to the mag via link in bio to read the story and go in the draw. 📸 @francinephotomachine #homestead #homesteading #thegoodlife #tallow #selfreliance
We love reading beautiful reviews – they valida We love reading beautiful reviews – they validate our mission to create a quality print publication that inspires, informs and helps connect readers to the land and their values. If you have feedback or thoughts to share about the magazine, send them through! #printmagazine #printaintdead
Mother's Day Giveaway! ✨🎁 If there's one thi Mother's Day Giveaway! ✨🎁 If there's one thing we've learned from many of the farms, orchards, market gardens and homesteads we've featured in On the Land – they wouldn't function without the mums providing the drive, inspiration and keeping things moving. To celebrate all the amazing mamas in our latest issue we're running a special Mother's Day giveaway this week – buy a one-year subscription and get a six-month one for mum for free! Offer is valid until Friday May 9th and comes with a printable voucher that you can gift to mum on the day. Link to subscribe in bio! Featured images: @macasgreenfam by @ramiistudio @threesistersfarm_ by @sophiemilsonphoto @abi.brookmiller by @camillarutherford_photography @chanelle.osullivan by @francinephotomachine
Here's a closer look at our May/June issue – on Here's a closer look at our May/June issue – on sale from tomorrow and in transit to subscribers throughout the country. Regenerative agriculture and soil health are always key topics in On the Land, but you could arguably call this our "regenerative" issue. We're very proud to be amplifying this wonderful movement. We've got... - @franbaileypr sharing about the success and meaning of @undergroundfestivalnz – her very own baby. - A feature on @macasgreenfam – an amazing family who have started a market garden using traditional Filipino growing knowledge. -An explainer on the importance of fencing for regenerative grazing with @abi.brookmiller. -Our cover story on the incredible family from @threesistersfarm_ and their quest to grow nutrient-dense food on their Nelson farm. - @thefoodfarmnz writing about the basics of keeping sheep. - An extract from @gillian.swinton's new book about making tallow + a book giveaway. - Beautiful photography from: @camillarutherford_photography, @josiegrittenphotography @sophiemilsonphoto @sentientimagery @mydarlinglemonthyme @hamishmelville @ramiistudio @francinephotomachine -And so much more! Much gratitude to everyone who contributed to this issue! We hope you enjoy 💚 #regeneration #regenerativefarming #rotationalgrazing #homestead #nourishingtraditions #nutrientdense #soilhealth #marketgarden
We've been a bit quiet on social media the last fe We've been a bit quiet on social media the last few weeks, as On the Land editor @mikeydescribes took some time off to welcome the arrival of his baby boy. In a stroke of chaotic serendipity, the birth coincided with the week our May/June issue needed to be finished and sent off to the printers! It was a messy end to what started as a very organised production, but the team pulled it off in style, creating what could be our favourite cover ever! Thanks to the amazing family from @threesistersfarm_ for providing the adorable models. You can get your hands on a copy in stores from next Monday, or, if you're wanting to connect with the land while supporting an old-fashioned, family-owned, grassroots, solutions-based print publication at the same time, buying a subscription is a helluva good thing to do! It also makes a great gift for Mama's Day! 😉 Link to subscribe in bio. 🌿
Whether you're a grower, a farmer, or a toddler, O Whether you're a grower, a farmer, or a toddler, On the Land has something special for you!
Last year, On the Land editor @mikeydescribes and Last year, On the Land editor @mikeydescribes and @shazandrew.naturopath completed their off-grid house build in the Waikato. In line with their health values, they were determined to use as many natural, low-toxin materials as possible. The amazing paint from @naturalpaintco was the perfect option to complete the interior! Look out for the full story later this year about Natural Paint Company and why it's the best range for those looking to make their spaces as healthy as possible! 📸 @gionabridler 📸 @emilyedwards_photography #homestead #naturalhealing #naturalhealth #naturalpaint #naturalpainting #lowtoxliving #lowvoc #lowvocpaint
Every morning at 8am, after she’s dropped the ki Every morning at 8am, after she’s dropped the kids off at their bus stop, Lis Martinac drives along the meandering driveway through her 77-acre farm to collect the morning milk. She parks near a paddock and gently leads Mabel, a Jersey-Friesian cross, into the shed, placing beside her a bucket, a milking stool, and a jar of coconut oil. Lis then rubs coconut oil over her hands and begins massaging Mabel’s teats. In a gentle, mellifluous voice, Lis starts to sing. It’s a basic mantra, yet instantly Mabel relaxes, her huge frame softening as Lis rests her head against the cow’s belly and releases fresh milk into the steel bucket. The touch, the singing, the rhythmic pulse of the milk hitting the pail – all of it makes for a deeply intimate process between human and animal. According to Lis, that’s how hand-milking must be. “Cows love affection and attention,” she says. "It literally is such a beautiful start to my day and I’m so grateful for it.” .................. An extract from our March 2024 issue, featuring the amazing duo from @risetoshinefarm and their business breeding and selling house cows. With the interest in homegrown raw milk booming in NZ's homesteading community, Lis tells On the Land why keeping a house cow is such a special way to practise self-sufficiency and form close bonds with your animals and your food. Read the full story on ontheland.nz! Link in bio. 🖊 @mikeydescribes 📸 @hamishmelville #homesteading #housecow #rawmilk #regenerativefarming #selfsufficiency #foodrevolution #localfoods #nzfarming #cheesemaking #milkingcows
The hills are brown, the tanks and troughs are run The hills are brown, the tanks and troughs are running empty, and huge swathes of New Zealand are dry and desperate for rain. To prepare for times like these, it pays to find easy and efficient ways to keep on top of your water levels on your farm or lifestyle block. In our Jan/Feb 25 issue, On the Land editor @mikeydescribes – who has only one tank on his property! – tested and reviewed a Liquid Level Monitoring system from @gallagher_nz. As he writes, the device has allowed him to check the volume of his tank on his phone, moderating his household water consumption and prepare for any shortages ahead of time. Read the full story and review at ontheland.nz! 🖊 @mikeydescribes 📸 @ruthgilmourphotographer #lifestyleblock #drought #water #watertank #homestead #farmingnz #dryseason
In 2020, Greg and Dansy Coppell were confronting a In 2020, Greg and Dansy Coppell were confronting a considerable financial dilemma on their 500-hectare farm in St Arnaud. Like many farmers, they needed to purchase materials to fence off vast swathes of pasture and keep their stock contained, yet the price of new posts went well above their budget. So they did what any young farmers should do – they sought the wisdom of an elder. “Greg’s Dad – who we call Pop – had been farming for years and using old viticulture posts for fencing with great success,” says Dansy. “On his advice, Greg went to a Marlborough vineyard and loaded up an eight-wheeler with these posts.” Although made of perfectly usable timber, the posts were filled with nails and trellis clips which made it difficult to install flush wire. So Greg and Pop designed and built a “rough-and-ready” hydraulic nail puller powered by an old tractor engine to clean up the posts and prepare them for fencing. After picking up a few more truck loads of posts from vineyards and selling them to neighbouring farms and friends, the couple quickly realised they’d stumbled onto a viable business opportunity. ......... An extract from our July/August issue, featuring the awesome innovative family from @repostnz who rescue old vineyard posts from landfill and turn them into quality, affordable fence posts. Full story at ontheland.nz! #farming #agriculture #fencing #fencepost #ruralbusiness #zerowaste #viticulture #wineyard
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