Maintaining a fifth-generation farm is no small feat, and the Stewart family farm just out of Palmerston North is a great example of how to keep the family business running into the future. Sheryl talks to both the fourth and fifth generations of Stewarts on the farm, with projects ranging from transitioning to dairy, investing time and money into regenerative native bush, and building a boutique accommodation service. 

Guests include:
James & Debbie Stewart, fifth generation farmers, Stewart Dairylands
Dave Stewart, fourth generation farmer
Jan Stewart & Julia Moretti, Hiwinui Country Estate

Hosts:
Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter

Manawatu farmers James and Debbie Stewart discuss how they transitioned the family farm from a sheep stud to dairy back in the early 2000s. James says one of the key things for them was stepping back from a production focussed mindset, and looking at what systems suit their land, their animals, and their environmental goals. 

They also discuss the process of winning the Ballance Farm Environment Award, and how the process of putting their farm system under the microscope was rewarding. It helped them quantify certain goals and ideas already on their minds, like a composting barn and a regenerating forest. 

Dave Stewart is the fourth generation on the Stewart Family farm, and discusses the ways himself and his father integrated ecological practices into their farm system, such as regenerating native tree plantings in favour of macrocarpa. They’ve built these in blocks around the farm as ”nutrient-interceptor beds”. 

He shares tips on how other farmers can get started with regenerative plantings on their farms, and his journey joining up with the local community for support. 

Jan Stewart and her daughter Julia Moretti run the boutique accommodation business on the Stewart Family Farm. Jan and Dave started the business with a lodge when Julia was a teenager, and after spending time in London, Julia moved back home to raise her daughter and be part of the family business. 

They have a good mix of international and domestic visitors, who share a common interest in seeing farm life first-hand on this multi-generational farm. 

Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here

Links mentioned in this podcast:
Listen: Barenbrug’s ‘Better Pastures Together” podcast series
Listen: Episode 19 - How do we tackle regenerating biodiversity on our farms?
Listen: Episode 13 – Are biodiversity credits the golden ticket to more native trees vs pine trees?
Read: Regenerating nature through collaboration

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Maintaining a fifth-generation farm is no small feat, and the Stewart family farm just out of Palmerston North is a great example of how to keep the family business running into the future. Sheryl talks to both the fourth and fifth generations of Stewarts on the farm, with projects ranging from transitioning to dairy, investing time and money into regenerative native bush, and building a boutique accommodation service. 
Guests include:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">James &amp; Debbie Stewart, fifth generation farmers, <a href="https://www.stewartdairylands.nz/">Stewart Dairylands</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Dave Stewart, fourth generation farmer</li>
<li aria-level="1">Jan Stewart &amp; Julia Moretti, <a href="https://www.hiwinui.co.nz/">Hiwinui Country Estate</a></li>
</ol>
Hosts:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter</li>
</ol>
Manawatu farmers James and Debbie Stewart discuss how they transitioned the family farm from a sheep stud to dairy back in the early 2000s. James says one of the key things for them was stepping back from a production focussed mindset, and looking at what systems suit their land, their animals, and their environmental goals. 
They also discuss the process of winning the Ballance Farm Environment Award, and how the process of putting their farm system under the microscope was rewarding. It helped them quantify certain goals and ideas already on their minds, like a composting barn and a regenerating forest. 
Dave Stewart is the fourth generation on the Stewart Family farm, and discusses the ways himself and his father integrated ecological practices into their farm system, such as regenerating native tree plantings in favour of macrocarpa. They’ve built these in blocks around the farm as ”nutrient-interceptor beds”. 
He shares tips on how other farmers can get started with regenerative plantings on their farms, and his journey joining up with the local community for support. 
Jan Stewart and her daughter Julia Moretti run the boutique accommodation business on the Stewart Family Farm. Jan and Dave started the business with a lodge when Julia was a teenager, and after spending time in London, Julia moved back home to raise her daughter and be part of the family business. 
They have a good mix of international and domestic visitors, who share a common interest in seeing farm life first-hand on this multi-generational farm. 
<a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/shop/spring-2024/">Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here</a>
Links mentioned in this podcast:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Listen: <a href="https://www.barenbrug.co.nz/knowledge-hub/better-pasture-together-podcast-series%C2%A0">Barenbrug’s ‘Better Pastures Together” podcast series</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen: <a href="https://country-wide.co.nz/episode-19-how-do-we-tackle-regenerating-biodiversity-on-our-farms/">Episode 19 - How do we tackle regenerating biodiversity on our farms?</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen: <a href="https://country-wide.co.nz/episode-13-biodiversity-credits/">Episode 13 – Are biodiversity credits the golden ticket to more native trees vs pine trees?</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Read: <a href="https://country-wide.co.nz/regenerating-nature-through-collaboration/">Regenerating nature through collaboration</a></li>
</ul>
SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY)</a>
SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/shop/">MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)</a>

It’s been your mainstay in dairy farming since 1925 as your trusted source of adding
value to your dairy business, now it’s time for the Dairy Exporters’s seasonal stories
to exclusive weekly interviews to come straight to your ears with this brand-spanking
new podcast.


It’s here you can seek out the guidance, inspiration and smarts it takes to dairy farm
into the future to be outstanding in your field on The Dairy Exporter Podcast hosted
by Editor &Deputy Editor of Dairy Exporter, Sheryl Haitana & Anne Lee and her
fellow journalists.

Get in touch with our Editor of Dairy Exporter on email
sheryl@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our
thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.


Don’t miss our weekly episodes of The Dairy Exporter Podcast by hitting the
subscribe button now and join our Dairy Exporter weekly email newsletter to get the
latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the
business of dairy farming into the future.

Visit the website to subscribe: www.dairyexporter.co.nz

It’s been your mainstay in dairy farming since 1925 as your trusted source of adding value to your dairy business, now it’s time for the Dairy Exporters’s seasonal stories to exclusive weekly interviews to come straight to your ears with this brand-spanking new podcast.
 It’s here you can seek out the guidance, inspiration and smarts it takes to dairy farm into the future to be outstanding in your field on The Dairy Exporter Podcast hosted by Editor &amp;Deputy Editor of Dairy Exporter, Sheryl Haitana &amp; Anne Lee and her fellow journalists. Get in touch with our Editor of Dairy Exporter on email sheryl@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.
 Don’t miss our weekly episodes of The Dairy Exporter Podcast by hitting the subscribe button now and <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">join our Dairy Exporter weekly email newsletter</a> to get the latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the business of dairy farming into the future.
Visit the website to subscribe: <a href="http://www.dairyexporter.co.nz">www.dairyexporter.co.nz</a>

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