Crops and stock a perfect match

Terrace Farm runs like a well-oiled machine. Crops, sheep, cattle and grain mills all have their place in this traditional mixed farming system on the edge of the Canterbury Plains near the Rakaia River.

Geoff and Ira Wilson have farmed here for over 30 years. The farm was bought by Geoff’s grandfather in 1922. Geoff, after a stint at university, came back to the farm and worked with his brother and father. Organic farming was always his interest and in 1986 they split up the farm so Geoff could pursue organic farming, and in particular, biodynamics.

Ira studied agricultural science in Germany and came to New Zealand in 1987 for practical work. Terrace Farm was her first stop and she never left!

There was a small but growing organic movement and a local market for organic grain, and the Wilsons gained organic certification in the late 1980s.

TRADITIONAL FARMING USING CROP ROTATIONS

Crop rotations are