Rangedale
On Rangedale Farm, Farm Manager Gene Thomas has a strong focus on the environment. In the north-eastern Wairarapa, the farm has had a land and environment plan for five years, adding another dimension to farming this tough hill country with its weather extremes and mixture of limestone and papa soils. The plan has increased protection of environmentally sensitive areas on Rangedale, with 120ha now under covenant and a further 102 in radiata pine. There are ongoing programmes for planting poplar and other varieties in selected locations.