UD Study Abroad in New Zealand: Sustainable Food Production

Our study abroad farewell dinner was the perfect way to celebrate the journey we had shared. The evening began with an explanation of the winery. I may be biased as a food scientist, but I loved hearing about the production process and the steps you can take to develop different fruity flavors. We then moved inside and were presented with glasses of sparkling sauvignon blanc, its crisp flavor setting the tone for the night. We paired it with a selection of delicious starters: sweet potato rounds, arancini, and wontons. As the evening unfolded, we moved on to a tasting of pinot gris and chardonnay. During this part of the dinner, we learned a valuable tip about white wine that I will definitely put into practice: if it is served too cold—below 3°C—it can numb the roof of your mouth, masking its full flavors. Just as we were taking in this lesson, Scott McFadden and his partner Ang who own the Acheron Station arrived. Alex and Sue Bruce, the owners of Travlon, arrived not long after, add...

Wine, a product created by fermenting grapes, is a popular and revered item found across the globe. Initially, making wine sounded like a simple process to me. However, after our trip to Rossendale Wines, I soon realized wine making is anything but eas. Brent and Shirley Rawstron hosted us at their picturesque vineyard and taught us about grapes and wine production. Brent provided our class with an in-depth history of his experience running a vineyard and general issues that have impacted vineyards across New Zealand, such as the introduction of invasive aphids from North America. Something unique about grapes is that they are very sensitive to environmental conditions, and their flavor profile is reflective of those conditions. For example, stoney soil types with reduced water content force the vines to work harder, resulting in a smaller and more intensely flavored berry. On the other hand, milder and softer soils will provide a smoother taste. In addition to learning about grape cul...

Robin Oakley, fifth-generation farmer and owner of Oakley’s Premium Fresh Vegetables, is extremely precise in everything he does from how he runs his business to how he talks and even walks. During our visit to his farm, it was clear that he knew what he was doing with everything, with the plethora of awards plastered over the walls from good sustainability practices to simply growing some damn good vegetables. From our time on his farm, there was not a single question thrown at him that was left without a satisfactory answer. After our initial discussion about the farm, he was ready to give us a tour, not wasting any time. As soon as we began to walk it was noticeable just how ready Robin was to show us everything. Our first stop took us to a refrigerated storage barn with beetroots inside. It certainly doesn't sound that interesting to look at beetroots in a crate inside of a cold and wet room but Robin Oakley made it interesting. Of course, there is only so much to talk about wh...

Let me tell you about the man he is first. He’s the owner of The Acheron, his family’s farm since 1965. Growing up, his brother was actually supposed to take it over. However, in 2000, his dad asked if he wanted to give it a shot and since then, Scott’s been running it. In the past couple of years, Scott has downsized his livestock numbers. But don't worry, they’re still his first priority in the morning. Instead, he’s been focusing more on his bread and butter; his wool press business. He owns multiple wool presses; machines that compress wool into bales for export. This provides him with a year-round steady income, unlike other crop and livestock farmers that depend on fluctuating consumer markets. In addition, Scott has other streams of income through his sheep, cattle, 200 hectares (500 acres) of forest, and beekeeping partnership.  Okay, now let me tell you about the myth. It’s been said that sometimes you’ll catch a glimpse of him riding on a steel pony, alongside the Acheron...

If you were to ask 100 people what their definition of sustainability is, you would get 100 different responses. This is because sustainability is not a one-size-fits-all concept. If we’re being honest, if you had asked me a month ago what sustainability meant, I would’ve said “reduce, reuse, recycle!” Lucky for me, one of the classes we’re taking is called Sustainable Farm Management, so I’ve since learned a plethora of information about sustainability. To break it down, there are three main objectives of sustainability in farm practices: economic profitability, a healthy environment, and social equity.  Obviously farmers want to make money (don’t we all?). Solid risk management, marketing, financial planning, and overall profitable enterprises must be in place to sustain these farmers’ wallets. Next, the part most people associate with the term sustainability is the environment. Farmers explore biodiversity, conservation of natural resources, soil microbiomes, and more to ensure ...

Nearing the end of our month together, I reflect on the journey it took to get here. It started in the wee hours of morning well before daybreak, four flights totalling over 24 hours– 35,000 feet up and then back down, rinse and repeat. Once we arrived, we were immediately inundated with change: new faces, new sights, new information. I remember being fascinated even by the cars on the road, things alike but somehow entirely brand new. The reality sets in that you are now half way across the world with a bunch of people you do not know, and it is daunting. You make it through by an unspoken give and take. You put yourself out there, you care for others, and you find they do the same.  Caring for each other has been an essential part of this trip, and was seen in a variety of forms. More often than not, it is most evident in the quiet spaces in between rather than in explicit actions. It could be seen in the times spent teaching each other yoga flows and rugby throws, sharing books,...

Every Tuesday night, our Lincoln RA, Darius, puts together and hosts a sports night in the campus gym from six to eight pm. Sports include: volleyball, racketball, basketball, hockey, and NZ Football. Volleyball was my favorite sport to play. On one of the nights, we were even able to teach Darius how to play volleyball and American football, both of which gave us all a good laugh. With sports being an important part of my life, these nights helped combat my homesickness. Tuesday game nights have been a staple to my enjoyment here. Endless laughs reminded me of the times I used to run around in gym class with my friends. The different varieties of games provided us with a competitive, yet fun activity. The exercise was also a relaxing and engaging way to refresh our minds. To Darius, it didn’t matter if you knew how to play the sport. The only thing that mattered was that you were laughing and enjoying yourself. We never had to question if we were having fun. Unplugging from the world,...

After visiting one of our last few farms, Acheron Station, we were off to Kaikōura, the land where the mountains meet the sea. We spent a total of three days in Kaikōura and stayed in the Dusky Lodge, the only place in the small town that could accommodate all forty of us. I was most excited to see some of Kaikōura’s native wildlife, and while driving into the area, we could spot some wild seals along the rocky edges of the ocean. The next day, we visited the last and largest farm we’ve seen so far, Bluff Station, which was an hour away from Kaikōura. On our way back, we made sure to make an actual stop off the bus to observe a fur seal colony. There were dozens of seals and pups playing, sleeping, sunbathing, etc. With only ever seeing seals in an aquarium, I thought seeing them in the wild was an amazing experience. Other people spent their time in Kaikōura out on the ocean, where they saw other native creatures, including the albatross, the largest flying seabird, and dolphins. ...

After stepping off the steps of the bus at Bluff Station I was in utter awe of the vast land that laid in front of me, as far as the eye could see. No poultry or dairy farm in Delaware could ever compare to the mountainous terrain. I had never seen a farm quite like the one that Hamish Murray owned. Spanning about 34,500 acres and measuring 35 kilometers long, Hamish’s station takes roughly two and a half hours to cross and is home to sheep, beef cattle, and bees, as well as a variety of crops. Pictures really don’t do this place justice just as Hamish said, “you can’t truly know what it’s like until you’re out here on the farm”. Throughout our time in New Zealand we’ve seen a wide variety of farms in the low country and hill country. But in my opinion, high country farms take the cake. They are by far the most impressive as farmers in this terrain are tasked with raising and producing livestock in steep mountain ranges. High country farms are known to utilize extensive farming systems...

Hamish Marr’s farm is huge! Before visiting his farm, I didn’t have a good idea of how large farms could get. Even though I was already told his farm is 500 hectares, or 1,235 acres, seeing it in person was unbelievable. His land stretched as far as the eye could see, and his pastures were brimming with crops used for seed production and feed for livestock. While there were many impressive aspects about Hamish’s farm, I’d like to focus on his sustainable practices. In order to maintain his generational farm in the present and for the future of his family, Hamish has adopted both traditional and innovative methods. While we were in his first paddock observing the thriving pasture, Hamish described his patterns of crop rotation and rotational grazing. Hamish explained crop rotation as planting a different crop in the same paddock every season. The order that the different crops are planted is significant too. While some plants take up high amounts of nitrogen from the soil, others return...

When we arrived at the Acheron, I could immediately tell that this farm visit would be much different than the farms we had visited prior. We met Scott McFadden and his partner Ange outside and they brought us into their home. We sat around their pool and Scott placed himself in the middle of the 40 of us. This conversation with Scott felt far more intimate than any of the prior conversations. On the other farms we spent a lot of time discussing things like sustainability practices, general farming principles, and land use. Scott really got into a lot of personal detail regarding both the physical and mental challenges that go along with being a farmer. The challenges that Scott faces come from many different sources. The media in New Zealand portrays farmers as animal abusers and destroyers of rivers, making it extremely difficult to have pride in being a farmer. He talked to us about the importance of burnout and recognizing it before it becomes too much, and how to step back and sto...

Today, I had the privilege of meeting Hamish Murray at Bluff Station, a property owned by the Murray family. Hamish, one of the owners, gave us an incredible tour of the farm, which spans 13,000 hectares. The property is home to 6,500 merino sheep, 1,000 beef cattle, 800 beehives, and 40 working dogs. The farming system is highly extensive, with shepherds and other staff supporting the operation, but for the most part, the land runs itself. Hamish showed us beautiful landmarks on the property, and we were even lucky enough to witness him herding cattle with the working dogs. Hamish has a deep background in agriculture—he studied the subject at Lincoln University and is a fourth-generation farmer. His grandfather took over the land in 1919, after it had been previously abandoned. He spent four years clearing it of an overpopulation of rabbits before introducing any livestock. During Hamish’s father’s generation, there were 16 shareholders of Bluff Station. His father and two brothers po...

When our group first stepped off the bus, we were captivated by the stunning scenery and lush rolling pastures of Mt. Somers Station. In the distance, Mt. Somers towered over us, standing at 5,538 feet tall. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Mr. David Acland. He discussed the history of Mt. Somers Station, specifically about how his great-grandfather, John Acland, acquired the station land in 1856. Mr. Acland also told us about the station’s livestock and crop operations, as well as the preservation of native plants, and how he practices sustainable agriculture. This included a 100-year plan to benefit future generations. He told us that he and his family manage a total of 9,637 acres, with 865 dedicated to dairy farming, 6,672 to beef and sheep, 742 to forestry, and 1,221 to Manuka honey production. Manuka honey, native to New Zealand, is well known for its health benefits, particularly in supporting the immune system. Unfortunately, Mr. Acland explained that there is no Manuka honey ...

  Mr. David Acland is one of the two renowned owners - the other being his wife Kate -  of Mt. Somer’s station, a massive farm, sat just below a mountain in the highlands of New Zealand. His farm was founded by his father in 1983, a man who helped create the red deer farming industry by jumping out of helicopters onto the backs of wild red deer, capturing them for agriculture. When his parents passed in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s, the property was divided between Mr. Acland and his two brothers. He bought the entirety of the property in 2016 off his two brothers, one of whom works in the clothing industry and the other in investing. Mr. Acland and his wife have three children and all of them work on the farm moving sheep into different paddocks, helping with cattle, and completing other farm tasks. On top of running a farm, he is the president of the local farmers union and works in the carbon industry, selling carbon sequestration as a commodity to industries to offset ...

  Today our group went off to the races! Horse-based activities personally entice me as I am very much a horse person. I have experience working with horses, riding them, and I have a minor in equine science. Today we went to the Riccarton Park Racecourse to watch thoroughbred racing. I have been to a few other horse races in the past, and can confirm that the best part of horse races is the atmosphere that the spectators create. People are dressed to the nines, and everyone there has a sophisticated look to them. Unfortunately, many of us were wearing sweatpants so we received a few dirty looks. In addition to the boujee outfits, the intense focus of the betters, the sound of people holding their breath as the horses cross the finish line, and the rumbling stampede of horses passing by add to the thrilling atmosphere of horse racing. During my time here, I wanted to inquire with an expert. I spoke to a horse owner to get more information on what we were watching. He said that hor...

If a blue jay and a penguin had a baby, you will get the Little Blue Penguin (not really). These penguins are the smallest in the world, and we recently had the privilege of seeing them. Weighing just 1 kg on average, these little waddlers are one of New Zealand’s pride birds. The Māori, New Zealand’s native people of Polynesian ancestry, call the Little Blue Penguin Kororā, which translates to “little penguin.” The International Antarctic Centre boasts a sizable population of rescued Korora, an interestingly cute display of a small bird with a huge personality.  When we visited the Centre, I noticed the close observation put on these penguins, each with a name and an array of characteristics. A keeper told us the story of Fred and Miley. A dog sadly attacked Miley, causing her serious trauma and anxiety. Her boyfriend Fred, a gentle giant, has a scissor beak characterized by his top beak not falling directly on his bottom beak. These conditions severely affect their survivability ...

Today we went to the coldest, windiest, highest, and driest place on Earth! ….Well almost. Our group had the privilege to explore the International Antarctic Centre located in Christchurch. The Centre has been open since 1992 and has been educating the public on the Antarctic ever since. There are only a small handful of countries that provide access to Antarctica and New Zealand is one of them. Demo dogs To begin our tour, we got a wonderful presentation from Bu about how Antarctica came to be and who discovered it. Due to oral records that have been passed down through generations, we know Antarctica was discovered by a Polynesian man who described white rocks coming out of the sea. This observation would make sense since these people had likely never seen ice before. This fact was most surprising! After the “official” written discovery of this icy land, European whalers and sealers soon followed. The use of whale for oil and bones, and seal for clothes in high fashion contributed to...

On Saturday, January 11th, 2025, we visited Akaroa to explore its scenic charm and of course to try its world famous fish and chips. While I’m not usually a fan of fish I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give this seafood classic a shot. Before diving into the details of my taste test, let me set the scene so you can get a sense of the atmosphere that makes Akaroa such a unique experience.  Akaroa is a small town located on the Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island. The town is nestled beside Akaroa Harbor, a crazy natural inlet formed within an ancient volcanic crater. The harbor opens into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by lush green hills and a beautiful body of water. The town’s architecture is steeped with much of it crafted from painted wood showing the feel of a classic fishing dock. It reminded me of the cool Cape Cod towns I’ve visited in New England, with a laid back coastal vibe that’s undeniably inviting. Akaroa proudly em...

Upon getting on our bus to Akaroa, we were only certain of one thing: the bus driver was instructed to take the scenic route. From what we have come to expect from that phrase is a lot of beautiful, winding, tiny roads through the hills and mountains of New Zealand. We headed out of Lincoln towards our first stop at Birdlings Flat. Birdlings Flat is a small town on the coast known for its shale rock beach comprised of polished stones washed in from the sea and off the mountains. It is a tradition for our program to go to this beach, typically within the first few days, but due to the weather we just got the opportunity. After wandering around looking for many varieties of colorful, smooth, or fun-shaped rocks, we laid in a line and looked up at the sky. This practice originated from Neil Gow, a former professor at Lincoln University who was instrumental in creating our study abroad program. Professor Gow wisely told Delaware students to use this opportunity to shift their perspective. ...

The guest lecture this week was Professor Greg Ryan, who teaches the history of sports here at Lincoln University. Even though it is not in his current teaching realm, he gave us a lecture on the history of the Māori and New Zealand, as he has been doing for our study abroad program for years. Professor Ryan walked into the classroom with a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt. At that moment I knew he was going to be a very interesting person. When he began his slideshow, the first piece of information we learned about him was his love for his two cats, Zinc and Coco (made me miss my cat Sunny), along with his love for beer and brewing. Professor Ryan has a book all about brewing beer in New Zealand called Continuous Ferment . Professor Ryan grew up in a sport dominant family where a majority of his family played rugby at high level. Professor Ryan couldn’t participate in sports due to being visually impaired, but this didn’t stop his love for sports. He attended the University of Canterb...