Based on a 77-acre block in near Wellsford, Lis Martinac and her partner Peter run a business breeding and selling house cows to homesteaders and lifestyle block owners.

Lis spoke to Michael Andrew about the joys of hand milking, the method of raising house cows in line with permaculture, and the wave of self-sufficiency that has made the idea of home-grown milk increasingly appealing for so many  New Zealanders.

Follow Lisa and Peter here: @risetoshinefarm

Follow The Pumpkin here: @the_pumpkin_nz

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This episode was recorded in late 2023 during calving and lambing season.

Dan Whittington and Merve (Mar-veh) Yeşilkırv are food growers who live on a 40-acre block called Hakea, about 20 minutes south of Raglan.
Combining their backgrounds in engineering and molecular biology with permaculture design, spirituality and family wisdom, the couple have transformed Hakea into a centre of education, creativity, shared living and community.

They spoke with Michael Andrew about happenings at Hakea, the history of the property, connecting with nature and how the marriage of traditional knowledge and modern permaculture has influenced their work.

Follow them here: @hakeapermaculture
More information about the Hakea Gathering can be found here: www.hakearetreat.com/

Follow The Pumpkin here: @the_pumpkin_nz

Ruby and Tristan Burch are homesteaders and animal rescuers based in Paparoa, Northland. Having moved from London to Wellington to the country in the space of a few years, they provide an accessible and realistic example of the kind of transformation people can make when they're driven by a desire to live a more sustainable and conscious life.

They tell Michael Andrew about their efforts to restore the land, their rescue animals and all the challenges and benefits that come with this lifestyle.

Follow them here: @manuka.valley.farm

Follow The Pumpkin here: @the_pumpkin_nz

In the first episode of The Pumpkin, Michael Andrew speaks with Gillian Swinton, a homesteader and prepper based in Lauder, Central Otago. Gillian grows and preserves much of her own food, and is passionate about building personal and community resilience by learning new skills and sharing her knowledge.

Follow Gillian here: @gillswinton

Follow The Pumpkin here: @the_pumpkin_nz