Forest Lodge Orchard (Electric Cherries)
Technology and sustainability are the hallmarks of Forest Lodge Orchard – a 6ha cherry production business that has planted a whopping 1,650 trees per hectare by following the upright fruiting offshoot trained system. The owners’ Mike & Rebecca Casey and Euan and Rachel White drive to develop a premium cherry orchard is equally balanced with their desire to be sustainable.
The first harvest was in 2022 and sold at a premium in New Zealand before they started exporting fruit the following year. They harvested more than 50 tonnes of fruit in 2023 and are chasing a target of 100 tonnes by 2027 when the cherry trees will be mature. Right from the start the owners have been striving to electrify all orchard methods and equipment – a goal they have achieved. They have an electric tractor, have electrified the orchard’s irrigation pump, installed New Zealand’s first electric frost– fighting fans and are developing an electric foliage sprayer.
In 2022, they set themselves a challenge of going completely fossil-fuel-free in the orchard. This will potentially save about $50k per year in energy bills and continues to drive greater creativity in finding or developing alternative approaches. Ben meets Mike and Euan and is inspired by their technology and sustainability expertise .He’s in awe of the size and how tasty the cherries are.
Jackson Orchards
Jackson Orchards is a family-run business in Cromwell. It’s history is rooted in the Central Otago region’s fruit growing tradition. Kevin Jackson, a fourth-generation orchardist, began his journey with a small apricot orchard in the Cromwell Gorge in the 1960s. This initial orchard was later lost to the construction of the Clyde Dam, prompting Kevin to relocate to the current property on the Luggate-Cromwell highway. Today, Jacksons Orchards along with its sister orchard Freeway Orchard, continues to thrive, known for its long season of stonefruit and a strong connection to
This orchard is a leading example of innovative fruit farming in New Zealand.- highlighting a commitment in producing quality peaches, apricots, and nectarines in a way that respects the land and supports future generations. Ben meets the head of the family and owner Kevin Jackson, his daughter Kristin Nolan and grandson Jackson Nolan. Ben travels around the orchard in the Tour bus with Julie Tate (Tour Guide) sampling the amazing fruit along the way – tasting his “best ever” apricot. Ben learns the process of harvesting and the unique technology in regards the fruit grading with Kevin’s grandson Jackson. At the end of the episode we are at Ahi and Mike Shatura Executive Chef at Ahi shows Ben his dessert creation heroing Stonefruit from the Central Otago region.
