School farm sees sustainable future

Northland College could boast a school farm that is the envy of secondary schools and farmers around the country.

The Kaikohe school is drawing up an ambitious 10 year development plan to bring its 458 hectare farm into line with best farming and land management practices.

Diane Colson, who has managed the farm with husband Grahame for three years, says the school wants to move the farm towards total compliance and environmental sustainability.

"What we're trying to do is create a best practice model that the community can be proud of," she says.

The school plans to repasture areas grazed by the farm's 300-plus dairy herd and repair and upgrade races, roads and culverts.

Wetlands and waterways will be fenced off to exclude stock and planted with native shrubs and trees to improve water quality.

"We want water in the streams to be of a higher standard when it leaves the farm than when it entered it."

Students, who already learn lifestyle farming and agriculture skills on the farm, may be able to gain skills to work in the forestry industry if a planned forestry academy goes ahead.