Evan and Linda Potter on their farm at Elsthorpe, Central Hawke’s Bay. Photo: supplied / LDR
Evan Potter says every farmer has paddocks they are not making money from.
"In their hearts, they know that certain parts of their land are not good at growing protein," Potter said.
Using that land in a better way is one of the reasons he agreed to become part of the Land for Life (LFL) programme.
Potter is one of 12 LFL pilot farms in Hawke's Bay. The programme enables farmers to enhance high-performing land for agricultural use while generating another income stream through carbon credits and timber.
Now the government has announced it is partnering with Hawke's Bay farmers and the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, and co-investing $995,000 to grow the project.
At a ceremony in Hawke's Bay on 5 December, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said the programme had been successful and was now extending to 100 farms regionally, with the goal to reach 300 in the coming years.
Potter said he got involved five years ago when doing a business review.
"We recognised that we needed to be more resilient and find other sources of income.
"Examining the farm at a micro level we found that some parts of it were sucking resources while not producing much in return," he said.
"It made sense to plant these areas in natives or exotics, whatever suited the land better.
Evan Potter said it made financial sense to plant parts of his farm in native and exotic trees. Photo: supplied / LDR
"This ensures we gain financial return and yes that was the main driver and I'm unapologetic about that. But coupled with that is water quality, biodiversity, reducing erosion and the massive effect it has downstream and in the wider context.
"It just makes sense."
Potter and his wife Linda own and run a 720ha mixed sheep, beef and venison farm in Elsthorpe, Central Hawke's Bay.
"We were taken apart by Cyclone Gabrielle going from 80 paddocks down to four with our access cut off," Potter said.
Recovery was ongoing and likely to span three years to return to where they were pre-cyclone.
"Like they say, the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. Hopefully, we will restore all access by the end of summer, with fencing taking another couple of years," Potter said.
"Deer that escaped and not recovered by now are unlikely to be seen again. Some of the plantings stripped off the hill have been reinstated and the balance will hopefully be completed within the next two years."
Potter has been farming for 27 years and says he loves the opportunity farming gives him to see what will happen in the next 12 months and then the next 12.
"There are multiple jobs to be done and we live in a cool place with direct influence over the environment.
"My plan is to leave it in a better state than it was."
Potter likes that LFL uses different varieties of exotic trees.
"We match the tree to the land, it's site-specific. They have to have a commercial value.
"The project provides diversity which is a big plus along with knowledge, pathways and systems to ensure it will be cost-effective.
"It's a collaborative and trusting relationship."
He said planting trees is not all about destocking.
"My stocking rate hasn't changed much. I know you can't eat trees."
Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairperson Hinewai Ormsby said they were looking forward to validating the model and continuing to work with farmers to achieve the environmental and economic outcomes.
It would benefit not just our farms but the entire community, she said.
"With the Government's support, this initiative has the potential to set a new standard for sustainable farming practices in New Zealand."
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
