Future Ready Farms
The Future Ready Farms project has been developed to build climate resilience in the Rodney Ward by encouraging the adoption of regenerative farming practices to create more sustainable and productive farms and stronger, more connected farming communities.
WHO
Quorum Sense, the Kaipara Regenerative Farming Group and participating farmers
funder
Auckland Counciil
project timeframe
1 year (June 2025 - June 2026)
project team
Stephen Newman, Paul Candy, Chloë Dear and Chanelle O’Sullivan
Regenerating Rodney
The Rodney Local Board area faces increasing pressure from climate change, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense. Heavy rainfall, flooding, and drought are not only challenging our infrastructure but also testing the resilience of our farming communities. The Future Ready Farms project represents an innovative response to these challenges, recognizing that the health and wellbeing of our communities is intrinsically connected to the wellbeing of our local environment.
At the heart of this initiative is the understanding that regenerative farming practices using animals, plant diversity and increasing soil biology will help develop better soils, which can dramatically enhance our region's ability to respond to and recover from extreme weather events. When farmers adopt these regenerative practices, they're not just improving their own operations – they're contributing to the resilience of the entire community.
“Future Ready Farms goes beyond individual farm improvements to strengthen the social fabric of our farming community. The project recognizes that farmer resilience comes not just from better farming practices, but from stronger social connections and genuine community support.”
A sustainable future
Future Ready Farms represents more than just a farming project – it's a pathway toward a more resilient, sustainable future for Rodney Ward. By encouraging the adoption of regenerative practices, we're creating farms that can better withstand climate challenges while remaining profitable and productive. We're building stronger farming communities where knowledge sharing, and mutual support are the norm.
This year-long pilot project will establish the foundation for long-term change, creating a network of Future Ready Farms that serve as examples and inspiration for others. The goal is contributing to a regenerative agriculture future where farming works in harmony with natural systems, benefiting farmers, communities, and the environment.
Through Future Ready Farms, we're not just adapting to climate change – we're building the resilience that will help our region thrive for generations to come.
Get Involved
For more information about the Future Ready Farms project or to get involved, please contact:
Paul Candy
Email: Futurereadyfarms@quorumsense.org.nz
Phone: 021 270 2483
Stephen Newman
Email: Stephen@Newman.kiwi
Phone: 021 943 862