Quick Dips

Organic Fun

A model organic farm at Lincoln University is opening its doors to the public with an innovative "farm trail" which will allow visitors to wander along the walks seeing biodiversity and other research in action.

Kowhai Farm, a joint venture between Heinz Wattie's and Lincoln University, was officially opened last August, and has been recently extended with the start of planting trees, shrubs and native grasses along the fencelines as well as the development of the walks and information boards.

The farm has three functions -- research, demonstration and production. In its research role, it serves as a working property on which technical problems associated with organic production can be solved. As a demonstration farm, its role is to convince farmers that organics "works", and to encourage them to convert. It also seeks to achieve a commercial return on the investment to meet its production aims.

"In returning biodiversity to this piece of land, the planting of trees, shrubs and grasses is an important early step," says project leader Professor Steve Wratten.

"Every species we planted we chose for a reason and we have tabulated its importance against a number of criteria ranging from shelter, biological control of pests and weeds and pollination to aesthetic and recreational qualities and kaitiaki tanga. Of course we have to take into account possible harmful effects too."

"Taking at random just one of the shrubs we planted, Olearia panaculata, a very good hedging plant, there were eight good biodiversity reasons for planting it."

Planting in progress

Before the plantings took place, the first move was to lay a mulch made from thick slabs of linseed straw grown on the farm.

"Locally we have had tremendous support for the planting and fencing work," says Wratten. "Commercial suppliers and contractors have either donated or discounted products or given their time to help us. One of the fencelines borders AgResearch land and they have been contributing along that one."

"As the trees, shrubs and grasses become established, the insect life will follow naturally. Of course we have our bumblebee motels already in place."

A bee motel and its accompanying sign on display at the organic farm.

"As the plant life establishes we are also monitoring the way the soil improves. We are doing this work with Crop and Food Research Institute."

Doctoral student Sheree Reddiex is involved in monitoring weed growth and is looking particularly at the management of weed populations in organic farms by two means -- mechanically and by the "smothering effect" of native grasses such as some of those we have now planted along the fencelines.

A view over the farm showing a newly planted border.