Richard Watling is looking to sell his cattle and provided the following details:

There are 20 mixed age cows, 10 rising 2 year heifers and 10 heifer calves. They are either Freisian or Freisian x Jersey. Plus one Freisian bull about 6 years old and quite tame.

I have run this property near Kaitaia organically since 1985 but have not kept up organic certification in the last few years. I am now planning to retire.

I am keen to sell before winter sets in and would want to sell in lots of 10 if possible. I am prepared to overwinter a few animals if needed. My phone number is 09 4080281 (evenings).

We hope you like the new look Networker!  Click here to view it now

(PDF document will open in a new window.) If you have any trouble opening the file please let me know at contactvvn@gmail.com. Krissie will print and mail out copies to those without internet access.

For the next issue we would love to receive more contributions from the members… any news, notifications or interesting articles would be appreciated. 

Just a reminder about the upcoming field day in May:

When: Sunday, 12 May 2013 – Starting at 10am
Hosts: Roel and Liz de Boer
Address: 45 Jennings Rd, R.D.2, Kerikeri

Bring a friend, bring a chair and lunch to share. Look forward to seeing you there!

False Economy – the high cost of a low wage economy

Public Meeting Invitation:

How the government’s drive for a low-wage economy affects us all with Green Party MPs Jan Logie and Denise Roche.

When: Tuesday 2nd of April 7-9 pm
Venue: Te Ahu Centre, South Road, Kaitaia

Click here: Open Official Flyer (PDF)

Using our resources – our existing TruckAbout delivery service (see www.truckabout.co.nz), our time and a little bit of initiative we offer to you the opportunity to sell your produce direct to the public in Doubtless Bay. In addition we can provide a Northland retail distribution network, further afield. There are no costs to you what-so-ever, we simply ask to buy your produce at a reasonable wholesale rate.

Click here to read further details on our website.

Thanks kindly!
Paul & Viv

Allow me to introduce myself, Vivian Rockach, as your new Networker creator/publisher. As discussed at the AGM, the Networker will be making a comeback this year.

We will appreciate any contributions from the members to make it interesting & relevant. You can email these directly to me at contactvvn@gmail.com.

The new look Networker will be issued 2-3 weeks before the next field-day which is scheduled for mid May. Roel & Liz de Boer (Kerikeri Organic Fruit) are the hosts. Further details will be provided shortly.

Looking forward to receiving updates and news items from you!

For those coming to the field day tomorrow, please bring your own (folding) chair if possible. We have a few but not many.

See you tomorrow,
Jan Arie and Ineke

————————————-

“BOI Farmers Market Stallholders Wanted ”

Are you a passionate grower and producer of Northland fresh produce?
Do you have an Orchard or Market garden that produces truck loads of yummy food?
Have you thought of becoming a stallholder to share your food and passion with others?

If you have what it takes to become a stallholder contact the market now!!
(please note criteria applies)

The Bay of Island Farmers Market is specifically looking for growers of vegetables and fruit (conventional and certified organic) , licenced fish, shellfish and meat producers for both our Kerikeri (Sunday) & Paihia (Thursday) markets

Contact details:

info@bayofislandsfarmersmarket.org.nz or phone Bob on 09 4050609

Applications forms are available at www.bayofislandsfarmersmarket.org.nz

Please note Artisan and ready to eat Food stallholders are not currently required

REMINDER – 10am SUNDAY MARCH 3RD FIELD DAY / AGM
At Jan Arie Kamsteeg’s 6934 S.H.1
Pamapuria
KAITAIA

Enquiries phone Jan Arie 09 408 0448
Kris
09 408 4212

The Government’s funding cuts for Polytechs are hitting Rawene. The Level 4 SRD (Sustainable Rural Development) Course has been cancelled. The Level 3 is under threat … It was cancelled, but there is now one last chance to keep it going:

Wanted urgently
Keen people to join with other keen people in learning more about growing their own food, without money!
This is an awesome opportunity, fees free, everything provided, a National qualification,
qualifies for a student allowance! Just 3 days a week, Tues, Wed, Thursday at Rawene.
Must be over 16 and NZ resident, no upper age limit!
You have to enrol before 4 pm on wed 20th Feb, next week!
There are 5 awesome people waiting to join you, and I need 5 more.
This course will be cancelled and be unavailable to the community again if I cannot meet the deadline.
Please show that you care and that the community Does want this kind of course, it is a valuable tool preparing for the uncertain future. Also just fun to join together with others and improve your health in so many ways. Looking forward to being of service to you.
Email
krasmussen@northtec.ac.nz
Or phone 09 4057628, or just come in anytime.
Free phone 0800 162 100.

FAR NORTH ORGANIC GROWERS & PRODUCERS SOC. ( INC.)
AGM FIELD DAY 10AM SUNDAY MARCH 3RD
10:30 meeting – Agenda: Apologies, Mins of 2012 AGM, Matters Arising,
Correspondence, Chairman’s Report, Treasurers Report, Adoption of audited
accounts.
Election of Officers – All positions on the Committee are available. Appointment of
auditor.

For this field day, which is combined with the AGM, the committee has chosen to
hold the event at our property, Crest Lane Orchard.

We are located in Pamapuria, 10km south from Kaitaia on state highway 1. Our rapid
number on the mailbox is 6934. Coming from Kaitaia you pass Pamapuria school on
the left hand side and will find the entrance to our property 250 meter down the road
on the same side, after the first paddock.
Coming along the highway trough the Mangamuka gorge you will find the entrance
to our property on the right hand side of the road approximately 300 meters after the
road sign of Pamapuria.

Ineke and Jan Arie bought the property in the end of 2006. It was run down, but
basically a well set up fruit bowl citrus orchard. Since we bought it we have worked
hard to revive the orchard. We have planted new types of fruit like lemons, limes
and grapefruit. We have started to reshaped the shelter belts, ripped the encroaching
shelter belt roots. Removing the overcrowded fruit trees is still going on. Of some
varieties we have removed 3 of the 4 trees ending up with better manageable trees,
higher fruit quality and higher yields form the same area.

Regular pruning to revive healthy growth of the trees is also taking place. Feeding
the trees with a combination of different organic fertilizers has improved the general
condition of the trees. We use a combination of Fish, Seaweed, mulch, lime and micro
nutrient.

We are also running a couple of beef cattle on 2 ha of paddock. This year we started
to improve the grass quality with a regular spray of worm farm liquid and fish
fertilizer. We use the cow dung in our compost and surplus grass for mulch in the
orchard.

We have also started to produce our own trees from seed and budding. This is a
venture which is not very successful until now, so we would like to have your input to
improve our efforts.

DON’T FORGET IT’S A SHARED LUNCH, AND DO BRING ANY PLANTS ETC
YOU WISH TO SELL/SWAP/GIVE AWAY.
SEE YOU THERE.

FAR NORTH ORGANIC GROWERS & PRODUCERS SOC.(INC)

AGM FIELD DAY

This will be held at Jan Arie’s at Pamapuria Kaitaia SUNDAY MARCH 3RD

Details will be forthcoming around 2 weeks before the event.

Please forward agenda items to Kris