OUR WORK
What we do
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We care for the land and water that sustain our community.
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Many of us are multi-generational farmers with deep roots in this place.
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We believe in doing no harm, and in taking responsibility for our impacts.
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We also believe that a science-led approach is essential to understanding what’s happening and making good decisions for the future.
Across the group, farmers have consistently worked to better understand and reduce nutrient losses, particularly nitrogen. Improving biodiversity has been a consistent focus, with farmers integrating ecological thinking into everyday farm management. Alongside environmental actions, farmers have focused on improving efficiency to reduce pressure on land and water.
Achievements to date
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Comprehensive landscape mapping
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Nutrient management planning
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Wetland construction and riparian planting
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Improved irrigation management
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Shared learning through field days
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Ongoing engagement with water quality science
A decade of practical environmental action
At a glance
A snapshot of voluntary environmental action across the FAMA farmers the past decade.
By the numbers
14 family farms
10+ years of action
Dozens of actions per farm
Hundreds of on-farm improvements
Environment and land
Reduced stocking rates and wintering pressure
More efficient cows and genetics
Extensive fencing of waterways, wetlands and tomos
Thousands of native plants, shelter belts and fodder trees
Whole-farm environmental mapping and planning
Improved soil health through testing
Water and nutrients
Improved irrigation efficiency systems
Reduced nitrogen inputs
Alternative fertiliser trials
Reduction in nutrient losses
Major effluent system upgrades
Storage improvements
On-farm water quality monitoring
Using Overseer to guide decisions
Biodiversity and freshwater
Mixed pasture species to support soil and system resilience
Riparian and buffer planting to protect waterways
Wetland protection and targeted planting in sensitive areas
This work has been farmer-led, long-term and ongoing. It reflects a deep commitment to protecting Te Waikoropupū Springs while farming responsibly for future generations.
Over the past ten years, our farmers have made wide ranging, voluntary changes to how they farm, with a shared focus on protecting water quality, strengthening ecosystems, and improving long-term farm resilience.
These actions have been led by farmers themselves, often ahead of regulatory requirements, and reflect a strong commitment to caring for Te Waikoropupū Springs while maintaining viable family farming businesses.
To better understand the scale of work already underway, FAMA recently undertook an exercise asking each farm to record any actions taken over the past ten years, large or small, that contribute to environmental outcomes. The results show a substantial and consistent body of voluntary action across all farms, rather than one-off initiatives.
These actions include reducing stocking rates, breeding more efficient cows, fencing waterways and wetlands beyond regulatory requirements, large-scale native and riparian planting, whole-farm environmental planning, and improving soil health. All farms are actively managing nutrients through tools such as Overseer, reduced nitrogen inputs, changes to fertiliser application methods, and significant upgrades to effluent and irrigation systems to reduce loss risk.
These ongoing changes reflect a strong culture of stewardship and continuous improvement, and a collective willingness to adapt farming systems to protect water quality and ecosystem health.
FAMA farmers remain committed to understanding their environmental footprint, refining their practices as science evolves, and working constructively to protect Te Waikoropupū Springs for future generations.