STORIES WE LOVE

A couple who bought their first farm in their thirties

Every now and then I find a story that shows exactly what we're about at Cultivate Farms: real people finding a way to keep a farm working and bring someone new onto it. I share them here because seeing it done by others makes it real. Here's one I love.

From DairyNZ, 5 June 2025: "A smart path to ownership". Read the full story at dairynz.co.nz.

Why I love it

I love this story because a couple took one step after another until they could buy a farm. In their thirties they bought their first farm, milking 245 cows on 88.5 hectares near Otorohanga in Waikato. Before that, he spent about 15 years working along the usual pathway, with contract milking and then share milking. They used the equity in two houses they'd bought in 2018 to buy a herd, then share milked 310 cows for three years.

They budgeted every month, compared forecasts with actuals, and worked closely with their accountant and a bank manager who knew their history. Her off farm income covered most living costs. They also credit mentors and other farmers who were happy to share what they'd learned. Their advice is to be ready for short term sacrifices, push lenders for different scenarios, and know your own numbers.

Why it matters for towns like ours

Plenty of aspiring farmers think ownership is out of reach. This story shows it can be built in steps, with patience, good advice and a plain look at the numbers. They see this farm as a stepping stone to a larger one in five to ten years.

One step you could take

Sit down with your accountant and write out your own numbers, then ask your bank for a few different scenarios. Read how to own a farm when you didn't inherit one in our You Can Own a Farm guide.

I share these stories because each one shows it can be done, by ordinary farming families, in places like yours. If you know a story like this, or you're living one, I'd love to hear it.