This is the title of a workshop I am organising with Joel Salatin who runs the very impressive Polyface Farm in Virginia USA(www.polyfacefarms.com). Joel has been referred to as the most recognised farmer in the world and as the most influential farmer in America. His mission is not to build an empire but to create a highly productive highly profitable regenerative farming system that produces quality food that consumers pay a premium for, while maintaining a balanced life which creates opportunities for his children to find their niche on a farm they want to be part of.

I am really looking forward to the two day seminar, as my farming aspirations are in alignment with what Joel Salatin is already achieving and from seeing him in the movie Food Inc (www.foodincmovie.com a must see movie for NZ farmers) he seems to have a great sense of humour so it all should be a lot of fun.

Our farm Mangarara Station is a 610ha sheep and beef farm in Central Hawke’s Bay, and like many farmers we are on a journey towards a more sustainable way of farming and living. www.thefamilyfarm.net.nz
Starting with the end in mind we have a vision of a beautiful place to live and work that our children are proud to call home and where visitors really enjoy this “little slice of paradise”, and of course producing healthy productive and profitable livestock in a sustainably balanced system.

Sounds great doesn’t it!! But I have to admit we have a long way to go yet as I have never been more embarrassed about the light condition of our ewes after what has turned out to be a tough winter for stock (my heart goes out to those in the South Island and central North Island who have had the devastating storms through lambing making our issues insignificant but challenging none the less), and obviously we are still pushing the system too hard.

As we strive to find the balance on farm there are some major global issues on the not to distant horizon which I feel are going to significantly change the way we look at the world and therefore the way we manage the farm.
Firstly the report to the NZ Government released mid October titled “The Next Oil Shock” which predicts price spikes for oil could occur as early as 2012. This is not because we are anywhere near running out of oil but simply because demand will outstrip supply. As oil prices hit US$147 per barrel in 2008 which contributed to the latest recession, further energy price spikes will tip the already fragile global economy back into recession. The report states “Key export-generating industries in the New Zealand economy including tourism and timber, dairy, and meat exports are very vulnerable to oil shocks because of their reliance on affordable international transport”.
As the global economy has grown exponentially over the last century on the back of cheap fossil fuel energy the game will change when this energy becomes more expensive and scarcer. Our economy which absolutely must grow to maintain itself, will struggle to do so without ever increasing supplies of cheap energy.

Of course all this is way beyond our control but we do have options of how we adapt to whatever future unfolds. One thing seems certain; food demand will increase along with the increasing costs of producing it.

These challenges certainly make it a fascinating time to be alive, as our generation really does get the opportunity to get the world back onto a sustainable path. It certainly puts some meaning into life!!! It is hugely inspiring to know that people from all walks of life all over the planet are also working to this same goal, and all I have to do is figure out how to make true sustainability a reality on my farm and as part of my local community!! That’s a pretty good challenge for life!!

I believe learning from farmers like Joel Salatin who are already walking the talk will be a huge step down the road.

Hopefully I will see some of you who are heading down the same road at the “Making the Family Farm Hum” workshop in Havelock North on 20th and 21st of November. The cost is $495 and a second family or farm member is half price as we feel this will be something you will want to share with your partner.