Integrated Farm Planning project

Thanks to MPI – Integrated Farm Planning Accelerator Fund for the funding for this 2 year project.

Project Overview

This section showcases the incredible journey of Mid Taieri Wai, the Teviot Valley Water Care Group, the Māniatoto Farm Discussion Group and the Online Farm Discussion Group as they collaborated with The Whole Story to engage with Integrated Farm Planning.

Through a structured and hands-on approach, these catchment groups embarked on a multi-stage process that included values-based goal setting, sustainability stocktakes, data recording, mapping, and practical environmental action.

From introductory workshops that helped farmers define their values and sustainability goals, to practical training in farm record-keeping and stream health assessments, these groups have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to capability building, environmental stewardship, and strengthening rural communities. The Whole Story’s framework, built around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has guided these groups through meaningful conversations and on-farm actions that will leave a lasting impact on their farming businesses and communities.

Farmer Case Studies

Project Highlights

The Whole Story Farm Planning Project successfully empowered farmers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to improve their farm planning and sustainability practices. The following were key highlights experienced by the project team:

Improved Farm Planning Structures – A core aim of the project was to help farmers develop clear and actionable farm plans. Feedback indicated that the structured framework provided made planning more manageable, leading to a reported improvement in farm planning ratings from an average of 45 before the program to 7-8 afterward. Every farmer we impacted, the relief we saw on their faces and the energy and motivation they showed when they had a plan was a massive highlight.

Hands-on Learning and Peer Support – A standout success was the engagement in practical workshops, where farmers gained direct experience in the practical applications of the farm planning process. An entertaining example of these was a farmer bringing their full-sized computer to a workshop one day as he didn’t have a laptop but was committed to get the work done in real-time as he knew that the support and accountability in the room would drive him to get it done (phot included in the Catchment Group infographics). The interactive nature of these sessions made sustainability practices tangible and actionable, supporting the objective of increasing environmental awareness.

Real-World and Intergenerational Impact Beyond Participants – Farmers not only applied the lessons themselves but also engaged their families in farm planning discussions. Practical events held in collaboration with local schools were a highlight to the farmers, the communities and the project team. This intergenerational knowledge-sharing ensures the sustainability of farm management improvements over the long term, aligning with the project’s goal of fostering lasting change.

“One day we will be able to come back and see these grown and we’ll be able to say we planted that”

– Laura, Year 8

Through our project workstream with Mid Taieri Wai we supported an awesome afternoon with Lee Stream School, Otago Catchment Community and the wider community, planting out their site that is part of a wider project to increase planting and shade in tributaries that feed into the Taiari River. Lucy Brown from the team was there in the work force, hear in her words a reflection on the day…

“There’s something special about being involved in helping a community project come to fruition, but even more so with yesterday’s efforts. We were worried about getting plants in the ground as there were a lot, but we needn’t have been worried. Farmer after farmer, parent after parent, showed up for their small school – some even bringing their whole farm staff teams to come and help. The outcome? Over 600 plants in the ground in an hour, and every possible spot in the site planted.

Growing up in rural South Canterbury, I know what the strength and community-minded values our rural areas hold and demonstrate on the daily. It truly is something special, and this event was a huge reminder for this now urbanite of what makes rural New Zealand so great.

The best part? Spending it planting with my new mate, Master 5, and seeing him go from unsure to absolutely full speed planting extraordinaire whose favourite part was the stomping on the soil to get those plants nice and strongly in place.

I can’t wait to go back and see how this site develops year on year.”

Increased Sustainability Knowledge and Action – The program emphasised practical sustainability measures, and farmers actively adopted key initiatives. Notably, a large number of participants showed an interest in pursuing voluntary sustainability certifications like NZFAP+, reinforcing the project’s goal of encouraging long-term sustainability impacts and connecting producers with existing initiatives.

Emerging Industry Connections – The project also contributed to broader industry engagement, as farmers expressed increased interest in joining catchment groups through our events, partaking in voluntary sustainability audit programmes and collaborating with industry bodies for continued learning. This demonstrates how the program successfully laid the groundwork for ongoing improvements beyond its initial scope. Collaborators through this project included: Beef+Lamb NZ, NZ Merino, Otago Regional Council, MPI On Farm Support, Otago Catchments Community, Rural Support Trust, Strath Taieri Connect, Whirika, Tiaki Maniototo, Landcare Trust.

“By focusing on collaboration we could go further, faster and deliver more impact! We didn’t have to compete for farmer’s time and attention as we recognised that these are too scarce resources within our farming community, but we also managed to open up events that were sometimes inaccessible to a wider audience to be available to all – this was an unexpected outcome and showed the true power of collaboration.”

The Value the Project and the Stories of Success

The most compelling measure of this project’s success comes directly from the farmers who participated. Their experiences, insights, and reflections provide the clearest demonstration of the value created through improved farm planning structures, knowledge of the wide range of sustainability practices, and an inspired and positive mindset shift regarding the topic of farm planning. Below is a collection of direct feedback from farmers, highlighting the tangible impact this initiative had on their operations and decision-making.

Summary of Participant Feedback:

Impact on Sustainability and Farm Planning:
- Participants were already interested in sustainable farming but gained knowledge on structuring and implementing sustainable practices more effectively.
- Some reported becoming more aware of the need for documentation and planning. One farmer stated, “I never realised how important it was to document everything until this program. It’s changed the way I approach farm planning.”
- The framework provided by The Whole Story helped clarify and streamline farm planning approaches. Another participant noted, “Having a clear structure made everything feel more manageable.”

Most Useful Aspects of Participation:
- Access to expert knowledge and having questions answered on-site. One farmer shared, “Being able to ask questions and get real, practical answers on the spot was invaluable.”
- Practical sessions, such as creek biodiversity monitoring and farm planning workshops. A participant remarked, “The hands-on sessions, especially the creek bio-monitoring, opened my eyes to the impact of my farming practices.”
- Learning from other farmers and sharing ideas on sustainability practices and farm management. Another farmer said, “Hearing from others who have faced similar challenges and found solutions was one of the best parts.”

Challenges and Barriers to Implementation:
- Cost remains a major barrier (fencing, planting, recycling, and labour costs). One participant expressed, “I’d love to do more, but the costs of fencing and planting add up quickly.”
- Time constraints and competing farm priorities make it difficult to implement sustainability actions. A farmer noted, “It’s hard to find the time when there’s always something urgent that needs doing.”

Change in Approach Due to the Program:
- Participants reported a more structured and streamlined approach to farm planning. One stated, “Now I actually have a plan instead of just reacting to problems as they come up.”
- Increased awareness of documentation and sustainability reporting requirements. Another farmer shared, “I’ve started keeping better records, and it’s already helped with decision-making.”
- Several participants noted small but meaningful changes, such as better waste management and recycling initiatives. “We’ve set up a proper recycling system now—it’s a small step, but it makes a difference,” said one farmer.

Rating of Farm Planning Before and After the Program:
- Farmers rated their farm planning an average of 4-5 before the program and 7-8 after, indicating significant improvement in structured planning and knowledge.

Notable On-Farm Actions Taken:
- Increased recycling efforts, particularly with farm plastics and waste disposal. One farmer shared, “We’ve cut down on our plastic waste significantly since starting this program.”
- Commitment to fencing waterways and planting native trees. A participant stated, “We’ve finally fenced off our streams and started planting natives—it’s something I’ve wanted to do for years.”
- Adoption of farm planning processes, including Intensive Winter Grazing Plans.
- High interest in sustainability audit programmes such as NZFAP+.

Awareness of the SDG Framework:
- Many participants were unfamiliar with the SDG framework before attending sessions. Those who learned about it found it broadened their perspective on sustainability in agriculture. One participant noted, “I’d never heard of the SDGs before, but now I see how they fit into what we’re doing on the farm.”

Overall Sentiment and Areas for Improvement:
- The program was well-received, with strong appreciation for expert insights and peer discussions. “Becks has been fantastic—her facilitation makes all the difference,” said one participant.
- The need for better continuity between sessions and maintaining group momentum was highlighted.
- Farmers appreciated Becks’ facilitation and valued the structured approach to sustainability. Noting they would recommend the program, highlighting its usefulness in understanding integrated farm planning and regulatory requirements. “I’d absolutely recommend this to other farmers—it’s been a game-changer,” said one participant.

This feedback provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of The Whole Story’s Farm Planning Project and opportunities for future improvements for both MPI and The Whole Story to enhance engagement, support, and long-term impact on farm sustainability.