Northland's Durham Farms produce organic A2 milk, 'free to roam' eggs, organic meat, raw honey, organic greens and organic herbs - regenerating and encouraging biodiversity along the way.
Their approach - which its three-fold focus on product, land and local economy - can be called 'enlightened agriculture', says co-founder and manager Adrian Townsend.
Townsend grew up in an English village and worked on a farm as a teen before becoming an engineer.
His partners at Durham Farms founders have complementary skill sets - one with a background in finance and renewable energy and the other a former Fonterra employee.
After the three families bought the farm in Northland's Brynderwyn Hills, the first thing they did was remove synthetic chemicals.
They then looked at soil health as, in farming, good soil is your most important asset, Townsend says.
"By looking after that soil health it really has three side effects - Increase water velocity, increase water quality and it also… it's really noticeable… it just allows the natural environment to come alive again."
Durham Farms' goal is to help provide all New Zealanders with access to healthy and sustainably produced local food, he says.
"The key thing is we keep this amazing food produced in the right way in New Zealand. And any surplus goes overseas, not the other way round."
You can buy Durham Farms produce directly from their farm or at the weekly La Cigale French Market in Parnell, Auckland.
- Recipe: Durham Farms Beetroot Salad
Photo: Durham Farms
