Wāhine from the same whānau helping heal the Kaipara Moana

The mother and daughter combination of Debbie and Bridget Johnson are playing their part in improving on-farm environmental performance in the Kaipara Moana.

Debbie is a Kaipara Moana Remediation Field Advisor and mentor to other KMR Field Advisors, while also working with farmers to support KMR projects. Along with her husband Sam, Debbie runs 40 cattle and 17 sheep on a lifestyle block on the outskirts of Te Kamo.

Meantime, Bridget is one of a team of six Fonterra Sustainable Dairying Advisors (SDAs) in Northland who offer specialised environmental advice to support farmers to achieve best farm management practices, stay ahead of water quality and emissions regulations and optimise on-farm efficiency.

Says Debbie: “Being a Field Advisor allows you to work with some amazing landowners, to offer advice and, with the KMR funding, help them achieve environmental outcomes which often also help with stock management and welfare.

“My roles since university have all included working with farmers and landowners on their land. It is my passion and I am enjoying mentoring new field advisors into such a rewarding field of work. Similarly, the work I do with landowners is about establishing a trusted relationship, understanding their motivation.”

Debbie says it is important to understand every landowner and property have different situations, motivations and long-term goals. Field Advisors aim to make the KMR process as easy as possible to achieve those same goals.

“For some it’s a new journey and others a continuation of many years of small projects adding up to produce incredible results.”

Ultimately, her role is to help landowners reduce the sediment leaving their property.

“This could be via fencing, planting or retiring land that grows little pasture but has high losses of sediment.  The Kaipara Moana catchment –in both Northland and Auckland – has some challenging landscapes but equally rich and diverse natural environments worthy of the investment and protection,” says Debbie.

As for Bridget, she recognises all farmers are at different stages, so once the minimum standard has been reached, it’s about working at their pace and offering support where they need it.

“Fonterra’s partnership with KMR is unique because the relationship from the start has been based on trust, support and a common goal for improving the environmental outcomes for the Kaipara Harbour,” according to Bridget.

“To date, the SDA team have worked with Fonterra farmers to complete around 244 kilometres of fences and plant 94,000 trees. Many KMR projects are generated from the work we do in carrying out Farm Environment Plans for our farmers, which recognises opportunities on farm for fencing and retirement of land for planting. It has been a real success and the KMR funding has allowed our Fonterra farmers to bring these opportunities to life”.

Bridget also feels the partnership between KMR and Fonterra is unique in Te Taitokerau.

“Since the KMR programme was developed, we have worked alongside KMR to provide funding opportunities in fencing for Fonterra dairy farmers.

“Sediment is a key water quality issue on Northland farms, so sediment control is an important environmental focus for Northland Farmers. With KMR, it is an amazing opportunity to not only give advice around water quality but to also help farmers achieve their goals through funding 50% of the costs of stock exclusion and native planting.

“A rewarding part of my role is to re-visit the farms and sign off the finished projects. Whether it was a big or small project, the farmers are always proud of their efforts and often keen to get stuck into the next project!

“I would encourage all dairy farmers to reach out to their SDAs to discuss the KMR funding options available to them. KMR will cover up to half of the fencing and planting costs (both natives and poles to stabilise moving hillsides), as well as native regeneration on erodible slopes.

“If you are hesitant, start small, as you can always apply for more funding and build on the work you have done,” says Bridget.

It is a point reiterated by Mike Borrie, Regional Manager, Farm Source Northland.

“I encourage Fonterra farmers to talk to the team at KMR or your Fonterra Sustainable Dairying Advisor. Working with KMR and Fonterra means there is ‘upfront’ support for eligible fencing, planting and land retirement projects,” says Mike.

The common comment Debbie hears from landowners is that they have been wanting to do something with an area for ages because it has been a nuisance with stock management, or it is a wet corner.

KMR funding and support, and Fonterra guidance, can make this a reality.