Horticultural Opportunity for either food growing or establishing a plant nursery
General Description of Land: We are offering the use of two 90m2 tunnel-house film roof sheds plus approximately 0.1 to 0.2 ha of outdoor growing area for a growing enterprise of the applicants own proposing. This area is situated within a 164 ha mixed cropping, cattle and sheep finishing farm. To get started the land seeker would be expected to help complete some repairs to the sheds and set the area up for growing.
Location: 495 Porewa Road, R.D.1., Marton,
Total land size in Acres: Approximately half an acre
Wooded Area/Cultivable Area: The entire area is cultivatable
Expansion Potential (Acres): As the enterprise is set in the middle of a cropping and livestock finishing farm if the enterprise is successful and profitable it could be expanded
Zoning: Rural
Current Use: The sheds were originally used for calf rearing but currently are just used for machinery and hay storage. The surrounding area is pasture and grazed.
Current Practices: not applicable
State of the surface of the cultivable area: It is in pasture
Description and historical use of land available for farming: The sheds were built with tunnel-house film roofs for calf rearing which was pursued for over ten years and lately have been used for storage. The land surrounding the sheds is in pasture and grazed by livestock currently.
Road Access: Access from the road to the enterprise is via approximate 0.5 km of gravel track which can accommodate heavy truck and trailer units
Electricity: There is a 3 phase power supply
Cell Service: Okay for the main providers
Short-term goal or vision for land: To use the buildings and surrounding land more productively than currently. We are keen that the sheds and surrounds are used for a growing enterprise and we would fund the replacement of the film roof on the far shed and repairs to the wind cloth sides and ends to the sheds. You can see the sheds in accompanying pictures.
Long-term goal or vision for land: To establish a new horticultural enterprise on the farm that will be productive and profitable for both the land seeker and the farm owners
Known environmental hazards: None
Current residents living on property: The owners live on the farm.
Availability of farm buildings: There is a concrete floor, enclosed shed which part of would be available for use initially
Land is fenced: yes
Availability of farm machinery and tools: We would expect the land seeker to provide their own hand tools but if heavier machinery such as a tractor is needed on a occasion we can make one available
Water Source: Artesian shallow bore which is pumped all over the farm
Water rights to these sources: There would be no restrictions to supply
On-site Housing: None at present
Is there restricted access of visitors: As the site is a working farm there are health and safety concerns so there would need to be a visitor protocol established
Preferred Agriculture Products: We have no preferences
Practices Preferred: We have no definite preferences. However we are endeavouring to implement regenerative practices on the farm so would be keen to see the same sort of mindset adopted with the new enterprise.
Soil Details: Karapoti silt loam
Preferred Arrangement: We would be looking at a either a lease or share-farming arrangement. As there would be some set up costs and time taken to establish the enterprise there would be a concession on any payments for an initial period
Would you be willing to mentor or advise the entering farmer(s)?: We are not qualified to advise on specialist plant husbandry but can help with practicalities and business management
Do you require references from the land seeker(s)?: We would require to establish the land seeker's credibility either by references, referees, or past employers or a combination of the three
Agreement duration: by negotiation
Anything else you would like to add?: This is not an established horticultural enterprise but is an opportunity for a land seeker to bring their ideas and knowledge to create a new business.
To find out more: Please contact David Lee-Jones at dljagri@me.com
