Wairarapa farmers get climate ready at this year’s Farming for the Future Seminar

Wairarapa List MP Kieran McAnulty being interviewed by Perception Planning’s Lucy Cooper.

“Climate change – the future is now” was the theme of this year’s Farming for the Future Seminar a collaborative effort hosted by organised by South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group, Mangatarere Restoration Society, with support from Perception Planning and Greater Wellington Regional Council.

The not for profit daylong event was held at Carterton Events Centre with Susie Ferguson from Radio New Zealand’s Morning Report as MC.  The day highlighted how the Wairarapa farming sector can adapt and manage the risks around climate change while taking advantage of the opportunities climate change presents. 

Alex Pezza, Climate Scientist, Greater Wellington Regional Council presented trends and predictions for the Wairarapa climate into the future and emphasised the need for Wairarapa farming systems to change and adapt to these conditions.

Julia Jones, Farm Enterprise Specialist, KPMG noted how climate change is not just an inconvenient disruption but also an opportunity.  She challenged the Wairarapa to adapt to future changes in climate, consumer expectations, markets, food production and technology in a smart way that takes advantage of these opportunities.

Greg Hart, wowed the audience with Mangarara Station’s transformation towards a regenerative farming model that is producing healthy food while restoring eco systems.

Paul Crick, Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre detailed how his organisation was teaching the next generation of farmers respond to environmental and market changes.

Dot Bissett, showcased Wee Red Barn’s innovations in water efficiency and waste management.

Stephen Davies Howard from the Centre for Space Science Technology discussed the role of satellite data in catapulting our primary production industry into the future.

Leader of the Farming for the Future collaboration, Heather Atkinson was delighted with the turnout, the high calibre of speakers and the quality of the information shared. 

She says “As a farmer myself, the interest by the banks in this year’s event was a real eye opener for me.  Rural lenders are now recognising that if we wait to take action on climate change it will hit our pockets hard in the future.  It’s pivotal we engage as a community in how we meet not just the challenges of climate change but also the opportunities it presents.”

Wairarapa List MP Kieran McAnulty commented that “Wairarapa farmers have never run away from a challenge.  The growth of the primary production sector is one of New Zealand’s greatest pioneering success stories.   Generations of Wairarapa farmers have and will continue to embrace new approaches and technologies to meet the challenges the future presents.”

To view the seminar’s presentations, go to www.farmingforthefuture.org.nz.  If you’d like to register an interest in sponsoring next year’s event please contact Heather Atkinson on 06 378 8479 or 027 303 5334

Contact: Heather Atkinson, President, South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group, 06 3788479 or 027 303 5334