Words by Jane Riddiford
“What you are doing here might make a good story for my programme”, said our neighbour Sally, who had come along to one of our monthly volunteer mornings. In between pulling back the thick thatch and planting wetland trees and grasses, we hatched a vagueish kind of plan.
Two weeks later Sally arrived at our sheep yards with her recording equipment and a bus full of year 5 and 6 pupils from Martinborough school climbed out of the Green Jersey bus. This was the first of three field trips that Sally has joined the group for. “Along with supporting you to tell your own stories,” I said to the class in the opening circle, “Sally will be telling a story about all of us and how we are journeying with the awa.”
From that moment the recording began. Snatches of conversation, the sounds of the river and the excitement (or not) of finding (or not) fish in the nets all form the backdrop for a story about what we are doing here at Ruamāhanga Farm. In twenty minutes the programme brings to life how children and young people are at the heart of our native restoration work and how Kara and her colleague Maddy from Mountains to Sea are helping all of us understand and appreciate the life of the Ruamāhanga awa, which flows past the farm. Listen here to the first episode of a series of programmes Sally will be making over the course of the year.
In other news, we’ve embraced the digital age and launched our presence across social media as Ruamāhanga Farm Foundation! We’re committed to working in partnership and collaboration to support our current and future generations’ wellbeing and their connection to nature. By expanding our online presence, we want to grow our community and share this journey with more people. Please like our Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and share this work with others.