Sevenoaks farm embraces biodiversity

Hawkesbury farmers Cath and Paul Baker hosted a large gathering at their Sevenoaks farm field day last Thursday and told those gathered they embrace biodiversity.

The farm won the farming section of the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards this year.

Sheep, beef, seed crops and grapes are grown alongside wetland and biodiversity projects with tourism activity as well. Sevenoaks previously ran a summer “maize maze” but now is taking advantage of the dark skies with a crater observatory.

Cath Baker told visitors she was a sixth generation Goulter – her great, great, great grandfather Cyrus Goulter bought the original 3000-hectare Hawkesbury block in 1848. Cath and Paul run the much smaller block today as a mixed unit focussing on diversity with sheep and beef, red clover seed, wheat, black oats and grapes. In the past the land has been used for horse breeding and dairying.

The Bakers use their extensive knowledge of farm conditions to maximise productivity over a wide range of land uses while maintaining a low environmental footprint and enhancing biodiversity.

Committed to protecting the soil structure the couple have learnt from previous mistakes and now only apply fertiliser when necessary and only work paddocks at critical times. Similarly, they only drench animals when they see a problem.

Sevenoaks has two QE11 covenants, a significant wetland and two streams which they are slowly restoring through fencing, weed control and native planting.

In 2016 they planted a nine-hectare sauvignon blanc vineyard which “pays the bills,” Paul said.

The vineyard is treated as a crop and the couple enjoy the viticulture aspect as part of an overall mixed unit. “It adds value to the rest of the farm,” Cath said.