Award A Nice Bonus for High Country Operation

26.08.09

Farm Environment Award Nice Bonus for Diverse High Country Operation

Winning a category award in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards provided worthy recognition for the work Canterbury farmers Bruce and Lyn Nell have done in diversifying their high country farming business.

The Nells own Middle Rock Station, a 1000ha Lake Coleridge property about half an hour's drive north of Methven. Situated at the back of the Mount Hutt ski field, the station was originally a ballot block settled by Bruce's father after World War II.

It currently runs about 7000 Corriedale sheep and is also home to two other ventures - Middle Rock Farm Tours and Middle Rock High Country Perennials.

Lyn says the tourist venture offers half-day farm tours, with about half of the visitors being international tourists.

She also runs a perennial plant nursery and markets these plants largely via the internet to customers around the country. She says the station's high altitude makes it ideal for producing hardy perennial plants that can survive in a wide range of environments.

Diversification into tourism and plant propagation has helped the Nells to supplement farm income and improve their lifestyle. Their efforts in achieving a good work-life balance were recognised when they won a Land and Life award in the 2008 Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Lyn says they were encouraged to enter the awards by a previous winner.

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