BHU

25/08/2026

We want your photos and stories! The BHU turns 50 this year, and we’d love to gather together some more history of the farm.

Do you (or someone you know) have photo or stories from the farm? Please get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] ✉️

These wonderful images are by Bob Crowder.

25/08/2026

This weekend! Biodynamics New Zealand in Ōtautahi Christchurch

We can’t wait to see you this weekend!!!

Will you be joining us on the 29–30 of August, at the beautiful Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School for a weekend of inspiration, practical learning and genuine connection?!

This year’s programme is packed with ideas, conversations and hands-on experiences that celebrate the foundations of biodynamics whilst also exploring what the future may hold.

Our conference will open with Keynote speaker Hamish Mackay. Hamish is an Australian Elder statesman of Biodynamics and we’re honoured to have him join us from across the ditch to share his 50 plus years of Biodynamic experience.

You’ll also hear from an exceptional line-up of speakers, including Dr Jessica Hutchings Papawhakaritorito Trust Monique Macfarlane Natural Wisdom and Dr Leane Makey; who will challenge, inspire and share their unique perspectives on the future of biodynamic practice.

We will have a presentation from Marinus La Rooij and Peter Adcock-White and a special panel with Katilyn Lamb, Samuel Hogg, Hamish Mackay, Angela Clifford and Ruby Gill- Clifford Angela Clifford The Food Farm

There are also plenty of opportunities to learn and get practical, with workshops led by Katrina Wolff Katrina Wolff, Blue Borage Ltd , Peter Bacchus, Gita Krenek, and Benjamin Wilbert (who is replacing Steve Erikson, who sadly cannot now make conference).

So, whether you’re looking to build your skills, discover fresh approaches, or simply reconnect with what inspires you, there’s something for everyone at this years conference!

Tickets are stillavailable via link in bio

19/08/2026

FREE apiculture courses by NMIT on site at the BHU farm!

NMIT are hosting two apiculture courses on-site at the BHU Organic Farm in Lincoln, Level 2 and Level 3 (Starting 29 August), where you can kick-start your career in the beekeeping industry. These courses have Zero Fees!

Got questions? Get in touch with Kathryn at [email protected]

www.nmit.ac.nz/study/programmes/new-zealand-certificate-in-apiculture-level-3

15/08/2026

Merf is a keynote speaker at the upcoming Australasian W**d Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch, happening on 23-27 August. Their theme this year is Collaboration Across Borders: Sharing knowledge for effective w**d management.

Merf will be presenting ‘New technologies in physical w**d management’. An excerpt of the presentation abstract says, “With the well known challenges facing herbicides, physical w**d management approaches such as mechanical and thermal are returning to the fore in cropping systems.”

11/08/2026

Merf is a keynote speaker at the upcoming Australasian W**d Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch, presenting 'New technologies in physical w**d management'.

"With the well known challenges facing herbicides, physical w**d management approaches such as mechanical and thermal are returning to the fore in cropping systems....So while chemical w**d management faces ever more headwinds, physical w**ding has come of age and is now ready to return to the forefront of cropping w**d management."

Register now at awc26.com.

05/08/2026

In 2026 the BHU turns 50! You’re warmly invited to the three-part anniversary celebration on Friday 30 October.

We have partnered with Lincoln University and a range of organisations to mark this incredible milestone in style, and invite you to join the festivities. This is an opportunity to celebrate the past and look to the future–and do that with your input.

Tickets are FREE, and available now through the link in our bio. We look forward to welcoming you!
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Nau mai, please join us for the Community Feast, Symposium and After Party.

Our Community Feast is a collaboration of food and sustainability-related organisations, with delicious food prepared by Alex Davies of Gatherings Restaurant.

The Symposium, taking place at Lincoln University, features over sixteen speakers who will share their collective wisdom and experience relating to kai motuhake, urban design, current needs of the organics sector, food resilience and much more.

Finally, the After Party at the BHU itself is a chance to relax and visit the farm.
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This event is made possible thanks to our generous sponsors Kete Ora, Craigmore Station, Ceres Organics New Zealand, Piko Wholefoods, & Untamed Earth Organic Farm

The beautiful Community Feast woodcut image was created by Imogen McRae.

04/08/2026

The August issue of NZ Gardener is on sale today, and check out our adorable cover star!

Seven-year-old Chester started a flower stand at his Rotorua gate when he was five, to raise the money to buy a bike. He's still doing it (well, he needed a bigger bike), with his parents, Josh and Steph's, help. Check out the fam behind Okere Gardens in the new issue.

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Probably the story that got us talking the most at the office though was Dr Charles Merfield's piece on microplastics in soil. Merf, from BHU at Lincoln University, has gone deep into the science of what plastic pollution in soil means and what gardeners can do and it makes for fascinating, albeit disquieting, reading.

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And this month our great mates at Whanganui's Heritage Food Crops Research Trust have generously offered NZ Gardener readers free seed for high-health tomatoes containing bioavailable lycopene... this amazing charity does so much work to make the seed for fruit and vegetables with superior health benefits available to Kiwi gardeners, so don't miss the instructions on sending in a SSAE to get your free seed.

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Everything is coming into bloom now so we meet a self-taught cut flower grower in Renwick, Kate Tomlinson from Blicks Blooms, and our cut flower columnist Fiona Henderson has some tips on extending the vase life of daffodils.

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Plus we have a guide to fragrant winter daphne from expert growers in Taranaki, great recipes for lemons and
brussels sprouts, historic camellias in Northland, Yates NZ indoor plant fertiliser to be won and so much more.

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Let me know what you think of this issue... always keen to hear your feedback. And bring on spring!

26/07/2026

23/07/2026

We’re really excited to be welcoming a new group of students to the farm on August 3 for our Level 3 Certificate in Organics. There are just 5 places left in this course!!

It’s not too late to enrol if you’re keen to kickstart your career in organic farming, get your hands in the soil, or learn more about local food systems.

Want to join us? Go to bhu.org.nz to find out more 🌻