On the 13th November around 50 of our Oroua Anglican whānau picnicked in the paddock of George and Ellie Bartlett’s farm. Eight years ago, spurred by a call from Bishop Justin to plant more native trees, the Bartletts planted 10,000+ native trees on their farm.

George and Ellen Bartlett bought their dairy farm in Halcombe near Feilding, Manawatu fifteen years ago. The farm is five hundred hectares and runs dairy, sheep and beef on it. The farm is on quite an exposed site so can be quite windy.

Ellen explains, “When we first arrived on the farm there were very few trees so we decided to start planting for shade and shelter. We planted a couple thousand trees over the first few years along fence lines and we planted Eucalyptus Niten: they are fast growing, will put up with wind and can handle wet ground which the heavy clay soil can lead to in the winter.

“About 8 years ago we were thinking about planting an area of the farm back into native bush. We worked with Horizons regional Council on the project. It meant fencing off the area, about seven hectares, with an eight wire fence to keep the stock out, and then spot spraying the grass to enable planting the area with native plants to give them the best opportunity to grow without being stifled. We were thinking about planting these plants at about the time Bishop Justin put out the request for parishioners to plant trees for the good of the environment. We thought there was an opportunity to ask the Oroua Parish if they would like to come and help plant some of our trees, for a fundraiser and to be able to respond to the Bishop’s idea.

“It worked very well, and we had people from the church come and plant some and children from the local school came for an afternoon. The job was then finished off by a group from Whanganui Prison who came out for several days to get over six thousand plants planted, so a great effort by all involved. The plants were planted in early winter and had the chance to put their roots down before the summer so they were in a good position to grow.

“They are now really getting tall, and it has become a real bird corridor on the farm. If you are out there just before sundown you can see flocks of sparrows come swooping in to find their spot to sleep for the night and at first light is really noisy with bird song there. I think they think the stack of maize we have was put there just for them!!”

The planting has continued over the years and the trees are a real benefit to the property in terms of beautification and protection from the weather. The Bartlett’s are so glad to have had so much help from so many people to make the project happen. “For the people that work with us on the farm, for the people that helped with the planting and also for the people from Horizons Regional Council who have been so good to work with - working together makes things easier and it’s taken a team to make this happen which we are very grateful for,” says George.

The Bartlett’s camp out overnight at the sight now and think it’s a very special spot. They invited the Oroua Parish out for a posh picnic so they could see how what they have helped to plant has grown. The St Michael’s Stanway congregation provided country hospitality at its best for the picnic, feeding and watering all who attended.

“It is amazing to see God’s creation thriving on their farm,” says Rev. Sarah McMenamin, Priest in Charge at the Parish of Oroua.