Organic Masterton veges boom

A Masterton organic grower says this year's vege crop is his biggest yet, with his produce capturing the eye of one of the country's top chefs.
Jeremy Howden runs an organic vegetable farm just south of Masterton, as well as being the man behind the Sprout House bean sprouts brand.
He said this year has been his biggest yet since he began farming in the mid-1990s, planting more than 50,000 leeks, 30,000 celeriac, 30,000 fennel bulbs, 20,000 cavolo nero and 10,000 cabbages.
Much of that is going to Moore Wilsons and Pak'n'Save in Masterton, but some makes its way as far north as Auckland.
"Some things are under-supplied so I look to that ... and I look to different ethnicities and the foods that they eat," he said explaining some of the less mainstream choices.
Starting with just half a hectare 15 years ago, Mr Howden now grows his vegetables on more than 15ha and employs three staff.
He said the growth in his business reflected an increase in interest in organic vegetables around the world.
"It used to be just hippy food but now it's hippy food with relevance."
The farm had also gained plaudits from top chef Al Brown, of Wellington restaurant Logan Brown, who had recently filmed Mr Howden and his sprouts for a television programme on fresh produce.
Mr Howden said organic farming came with challenges, especially pest management where he says he has to employ organic means to battle cabbage white butterfly and aphids.
But it also brings its fair share of positives - health, environmental factors and job creation among them.
"It creates a lot of employment - it's not something you can sweep with a machine.
"It has to be hand-picked and that is very intensive."
In the end organics simply came down to trying to "save the planet", he said.
"It's part of a movement and I'm just following the information I've been given and acting accordingly."