Harry Train and Aneeka Beveridge have converted a hectare of their family farm in Waverley into a sunflower field for visitors.
Harry Train and Aneeka Beveridge have converted a hectare of their family farm in Waverley into a sunflower field for visitors.
A hectare of land in South Taranaki has been transformed into a field bursting with sunflowers as a new pursuit for a fourth-generation farming family.
Harry Train, 27, and partner Aneeka Beveridge recently shifted back home after being overseas, and have been inspired to “give something new a go” on their family farm at Waverley.
They are hopeful their fields of sunflowers, which will be open to visitors on January 18, will be a hit with families and young people keen for an Instagram snap.
The Waverley Sunflower Farm came into being after Train spoke to a farming friend in Ōtaki who was having “huge success” with a sunflower field attraction on his farm.
“You’re always looking outside the box these days, of what you can do in the farming game,” Train said.
Being a fourth-generation farmer, there was a strong family history tied to the land but that did not mean Train was shying away from diversifying their farming business.
“It’s forever changing,” Train said.
The sunflowers will be used to feed the livestock after the season ends.
Over the past four generations, the farm has changed from being a sheep and beef farm to a deer farm, and now the land is used for cropping and dairy support alongside a dairy farm.
Although the sunflowers are a new addition, they can be used to feed livestock when the visiting season is over.
“We planted them back in early November and they’ve actually taken off on their own.”
The pressure on the farming industry meant many farm businesses were looking for new avenues to generate revenue, something Train said he had witnessed.
“You see all sorts now, you’ve got the farmers who have the glamping tents and the Airbnbs,” Train said.
“It’s tough for farmers and you’re always looking to expand or change, and if you can bring in other sources of income it all helps hugely.
“It’s basically anything that can improve your business.”
As this was their first year running the field, the couple would see how popular it was with the community.
Train said they had already had strong interest after advertising the field on Facebook: “Sunflowers seem to put a smile on people’s faces.”
The cost to visit the sunflower field is $10 (cash only) per adult and free for children under 12. The cost for picking sunflowers is $3 a stem.
More information is on the Waverley Sunflower Farm Facebook page.
