Preserving our planet (Environmental Policy)

Preserving  our planet (Environmental Policy)

At Black Sheep Farm we manage the farmlet by design,  along the principles of permaculture and adopting the systems of BioDynamics. Although it is designed, we strive to mimic and support natural patterns. Careful observations are made before something is added or changed. We are continuously learning.

An important aspect of our farmlet management is minimising waste, reducing external inputs to near zero and growing a healthy soil.

We also place a huge emphasis on nourishment. A management system of feeding all clean waste back in a systemic manner into the growing cycle is key to improved nourishment.

WASTE AND RECYCLING

• Anything and everything is recycled at Black Sheep Farm. 

• All kitchen food leftovers are dished out to the chickens daily

• Egg shells and coffee grinds form walls around seedlings to combat slugs and snails

• Tea leaves feed the camellias while banana peels feed the roses  

• Dried citrus peels make firelighters

• Garden prunings, weeds, lawn clippings, leaves and animal manure, are used to make hot compost piles, any large cuts become firewood.  Cut grass and shredded prunings become mulch for gardens

• Wine and beer bottles form the vege garden paths, juice bottles become mini hothouses for seedings transplanted to the garden  

• Cardboard and newspaper is used to create new garden spaces. Toilet roll inners become seedling tubes for planting out

• Reusable shopping bags are always used

• Old materials or towels are used as rags

• All plants and vegetables are raised from seed in our organic seed raising mix

• Cuttings are propogated for further plantings

• Electronic communications and storage are favoured over printed paper

• Technology and electrical appliances are generally kept in service for long periods, and not updated to the latest fad

Not alot of waste actually comes from the Black Sheep Farm, there is usually a clever use for most waste and it is treated as a resource..

WATER

• Black Sheep Farm has access to rainwater collected in a concrete tank and when necessary, town supply water is used.  In the downpours, excessive water is captured in portable containers to water the gardens later.  With droughts becoming more common, water is considered very precious. Systems are in place in the house to conserve water where possible, regulating water-flow from showers and taps

• Water to the house is UV sterilised and filtered resulting in a lovely clean water for drinking

• Guests are encouraged to refill their water bottles with our pure rainwater, rather than purchasing more plastic bottles

• In the gardens, plants are well mulched to prevent moisture loss in the soil which means less water required

• Dual flush toilets are in place

• Guests are encouraged to use towels more than once and bed linen is changed every  three days, saving water and energy

ENERGY SAVING

• Where practical, incandescent light bulbs have been replaced with energy efficient lighting.  

• There are dimmers on chandeliers in common areas, and sensors and LED low energy night lights.  Well aware that hot water is the greatest user of power in the homestead there are future plans to either integrate cylinders to one central source supplemented with  solar water heating.

• The fireplace is used in winter and trees have been planted with further planting planned for a renewable source of firewood on the property.

• Security lights are on sensors.

• Electricity use is monitored in order to identify potential savings

• In the guest suites, curtains have thermal backing or rollups that help heat loss.

• Guests are asked to turn off room lights when not required

• All linen is line dried whenever possible

• Clothes dryers are set on Auto-sensor for dryness

• Rechargeable batteries are used

• Standby power requirements are monitored and devices automatically or habitually turned off at source.

• We minimise fuel requirements for garden and farmlet maintenance by observing patterns of best timings, using quality and serviced tools, often favouring a well honed and sharpened manual tool and attempting to do as little tractor and other heavy equipment movements as possible.

CHEMICAL FREE

• Black Sheep Farm runs on organic principles and within the Homestead all cleaning products, dishwashing and laundry are run with eco-friendly, biodegradable, plant based products.

• Our toiletries are also NZ made, natural and use recyclable packaging.

• Outside, no chemicals are used and fertilizers, plant feeds and pest control is all managed by home made plant teas, compost and (some interesting!) herbal concoctions.

FOOD MILES

• Whatever can be grown on the property is, and other produce is sourced locally where possible.

• New Zealand produce is always favoured over imported product where practical (there are always exceptions:  parmesan still comes from Italy, olives from Greece and coffee and tea from the best growers, but locally roasted,  and that won’t change!  

• Jams. marmalades, relish and chutneys and preserves are made from fruit and veg from the garden;  Local farmers milk is used for yoghurt and cheese making.  Lamb is farmed onsite, beef is raised within kilometres of this farm, eggs are laid daily.  NZ beer and wine is favoured over international brands.

LOCAL COMMUNITY

• Local suppliers and contractors are supported wherever possible

• Anthony is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the local primary school.

• Anthony is an active patrolling llifeguard at the local surf club

• Surplus furniture and household goods are donated to the local Hospice Shop or school fundraisers

If you would like to help our efforts, there are some simple things you can do during your stay, such as turning lights off when not in your suite, using your towels for two days instead of one, taking short showers and refilling your water bottle with our clean chlorine free tap water rather than buying new bottles (you’ll reducing the waste of plastic too).