Using a helicopter, multiple times in Glenorchy, to lift building materials and machinery onto mountain tops and hillsides.
Rewetting and planting a once drained wetland
Sourcing and planting thousands of natives over the past 10 years on various properties.
Sowing 33 trial crops to determine which thrived the best in the local conditions. These ones being yellow peas.
Using mixed species as I managed the introduction of regenerative pastures at Lake Hawea Station
Phacelia thriving in a dryland paddock for animal feed
This is what the paddock looked like before the phacelia (previous purple flower) was planted. Full of bracken.
Managed and constructed a new cattle yard build and sediment trap system
I've spent the past 18 years working with sheep, beef and deer across a multitude of different properties throughout Canterbury and Otago. This includes shearing, crutching, animal health treatments and butchery.
Project management of solar and hydro electricity systems to power electric gates, electric fences and homes on farms and our own.
New native plantings alongside a pond outlet lined with stone.
Root raking 150ha of dense bracken fern before replanting into grasses and multispecies mixes for sheep and cattle grazing.
Projects on our own property
In 2023, across 16 weeks, we constructed our own home. A 3 bedroom, off the grid, cabin on 30 acres in Central Otago.
Not long after it landed, before decking and lean-tos. See more at @coalpitgullyroad on Instagram
I've been fencing for 18 years and have done many types, with a keen eye for detail
We've raised an rehabilitated many animals over the years as my wife's background is farming and vet nursing
We've hand built everything on our property to date with many projects still to come
I enjoy making custom pieces of furniture, especially from unused items. This one is with tongue-and-groove larch, with a copper railing leftover from plumbing the bathroom.
We've built chicken coops and have a self sustaining flock of Barred Rock X
Growing food is one of our sole aims, so have a thriving vegetable garden and a new half-acre orchard going in this winter.
I also keep bees having done a beekeeping course a couple of years ago. I'm not an expert but can align you with people who are.
Transplanting local wilding douglas firs on our own property to create a NW shelter belt to protect the future house site.
The beginning of our partial, 4.5m x 8m walipini (in-ground greenhouse). On our property we are at the mercy of the wind which resulted in this positioning and style. More to come!
Dave dug in our 5m diameter fire pit ready for weedmatting and white crushed quartz for the base from the bottom of our property.
We can help you build and developing a composting system to ensure an endless supply of good quality soil.
The foundation of out 3m x 3m mudbrick coolstore/cellar for hanging meat, storing garden produce such as garlic, onions, pumpkins and for canned and preserved goods.
As we have somehow fallen into quite a homestead/farmstead system, Chanelle has sourdough starter available as well as some beginner support for a range of sourdoughs.
Growing vegetable from seed is easy and cheap. We can help you set up a great growing system to ensure year-round produce.
Looking to fill your freezer but you've not processed your own animals before? We can help you by doing - or by teaching you the pre-butcher, process.
If you'd like to learn how to process the whole carcass without a butcher, we can help you breakdown a sheep and deer into steaks, shanks, stewing steak, ribs, chops and more.