Country Life

This week Country Life gets some tips for the coming season from drought-hardened farmers, meets a flower grower turning blooms into bouquets and balms and heads to the Clash of the Colleges where students compete in ag events.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

In this episode:

• 1:09 - Rural News Wrap
• 9:33 - The Potion Room: 'Therapeutic flowers'
• 16:06 - A clash-course in agriculture
• 29:46 - Lessons from the dry years as El Niño gathers force

With thanks to:

• Kelly Doyle, The Potion Room
• Daniel O'Regan, Tess Bamford, Maddi Ballinger, Evan McSherry, and Chris Adams
• Willie Falloon, Hannah French, John Booth, and Robert Hickson

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Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

As farmers prepare for the impacts of the intense El Niño weather pattern, drought veterans, younger farmers and rural support specialists compare plans, share hard-earned lessons and discuss when to act before dry conditions arrive.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Willie Falloon, Hannah French, John Booth, and Robert Hickson
• Photo credit Selby Jowsey

Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.

Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Motorbikes, fencing and gumboot throwing - the Canterbury Clash of the Colleges has it all.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Daniel O'Regan, Tess Bamford, Maddi Ballinger, Evan McSherry, and Chris Adams

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A Nūhaka teacher turns flowers and plants grown in her garden into budget bouquets, balms and healing treatments in her at home Potion Room.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Kelly Doyle, The Potion Room
  

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of news from RNZ's rural newsdesk.

You can find more from RNZ's rural news team, here.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life is at a rural school in Wairarapa celebrating its sesquicentennial and visits a Taranaki piggery to hear how one farming family is adapting to major changes in New Zealand's pork industry.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

In this episode:

• 0:47 - On the Farm
• 7:58 - Good greens, small sprouts
• 14:33 - Room to oink
• 28:40 - 150 years of Tinui School

With thanks to:

• Karen McGrath, Southern Alps Sprouts
• Karl Stanley
• Duncan Smith, Amanda Aitken, Jenny Balfour, Reverend Steve Thomson, Ian Perry, Phyllis French, and Caryl Forest

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Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

While pastoral farming saw the settlement of Tinui established over 150 years ago, things have changed as farmland's been converted to forestry and the school's roll has decreased. Earlier this month past pupils gathered to reflect on the school's sesquicentennial and its future.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

Learn more about Tinui School and its 150th celebrations, here.

With thanks to:

• Duncan Smith, Amanda Aitken, Jenny Balfour, Reverend Steve Thomson, Ian Perry, Phyllis French, and Caryl Forest

Make sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening.

Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A Taranaki pig farmer is spending $2 million creating more space for pigs as welfare expectations change. Country Life visits Stanley Bros near Ōpunake to see what's involved.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Karl Stanley

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Southern Alps Sprouts owner Karen McGrath shares her business' journey.

You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.

With thanks to:

• Karen McGrath, Southern Alps Sprouts

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details