Today I met Scott McFadden, a.k.a the Man, the Myth, the Legend by Alex

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 militia, mustering hundreds of sheep. There have even been accounts of Scott’s cows flocking to him at the sound of his lovely voice. Sure, maybe his steel pony is a motorbike, his militia is composed of three working dogs, and the cows know they’re about to be fed. I can neither confirm nor deny. 

Scott doesn’t just have a way with the animals. Are you ready to hear how he earned the title of legend? Scott’s story resonates deeply with mine. He has a short stature and I have had short hair my entire life. Scott has been the most open farmer I’ve met when discussing mental health challenges within the community, as well as his own. He spoke about growing up within the industry and facing discrimination. Often being told: “you’ll never be a farmer”. Do you want to know his response? It’s “F them”. Not only did Scott break the stereotypical mold of who was thought to be a successful farmer, but he committed himself to improving the community that once didn’t even believe in him. A community plagued with stress, burnout, and isolation because of unpredictable weather, volatile markets, and or government demands. Scott became trained in counseling strategies and has been renowned in the community for listening to clients about their struggles and offering advice, sometimes even saving lives by doing so. Scott McFadden isn’t just a farmer; he’s a living testament to resilience, innovation, and the profound impact one person can have on their community. In other words, legendary. 

Scott McFadden and I at the Farewell Dinner

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Scavenger Hunt by Evyn and Camryn (the TAs)

Image
On the second night of our stay, 38 American students took to the streets of Lincoln, linked arm-in-arm for a scavenger hunt. Expectedly, locals took notice.  Groups competed to find the most locations on the 11-item list and document the place in the most creative way. The hunt took them all over the small town’s notable landmarks: The Famous Grouse Hotel, the library, grocery store, and urgent care (just in case). Enjoy some of our favorite flicks below. Nicole, Olivia, Fiona, Yasmin, Sean, and Anna at the “dairy” (AKA convenience store) Drew, Caroline, Cecelia, and Natalie getting the locals involved at the fish and chip shop Alex, Andrew, Becca, Tara, and the Sydneys (K. and S.) acting CPR outside the urgent care Hanna, Shay, Leah, Maria, and Brielle milking Bethany outside the dairy. Julia, Oliver, Dominique, and Skylar relaxing at The Famous Grouse Hotel Rachel, Max, Thea, Izzy, and Shaw saving Arianna at urgent care Ciara, Mia, Chrissy, Nick, Caroline, and Claire on an invis...
Read more

Our Journey Begins by Thea

Image
This New Year’s Day, I traveled with a group from UD’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to New Zealand. Over the next four weeks, we will be studying sustainable farm management and international animal agriculture on the South island at Lincoln University. Just hours after celebrating the New Year, we began our long day of travel. We were ready to explore a new place, meet new people, eat new food, and learn the kiwi approach to life. Our 34-hour travel day was one of the longest of my life, yet filled with so much anticipation. After meeting and talking with the people in our group, I became even more excited about the program ahead. We went through five airports, four flights, three layovers, two airlines, and one bus ride before reaching our final stop. During layovers, we explored new airports, played card games, and stocked up on airplane snacks. While in the air, people took naps, watched movies, read books, and played games. We started our day at the Philadelphia ai...
Read more
Image
  Students on and in Cave Rock, Sumner Beach, Christchurch On the first day of the new year, 42 of us departed on our journey to Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud, home of Bilbo, Frodo and Gandalf.  To learn about hoggets, two-tooths, tussock and tucker; manuka, bees, and kiwis; possums and pests; soil, water, wind and rain. To eat Pineapple Lumps and pavlova and to drink L&P and a flat white.  To wear jandals and gumboots. To see takahes and tuis. To tramp in the bush and climb wee hills on stations. To wonder at the awa, maunga, roto, and whangas. Ma Te Wa (until we meet again)
Read more