34 | Still thriving well, 106 years later Founded November 11, 1919, Green Meadows has remained in the same family for four generations. Karen Phelps New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards » Green Meadows When William Young established his sheep and beef farm more than a century ago on his return from the first World War, he could scarcely have imagined it would still be thriving 106 years later, let alone be recognised as part of New Zealand’s agricultural heritage. Yet that legacy endures at Green Meadows, near Gore, which is set to be honoured with a New Zealand Century Farm Award. Founded November 11, 1919, Green Meadows has remained in the same family for four generations. Today, the 174-hectare property is owned and farmed by William’s great-grandson, Shane Cleland, who took over the reins from his parents John and Dianne Cleland. Before that, the farm had passed from Shane’s grandparents, John Alexander (Sandy) and Sheila Cleland, who had taken over from Sheila’s parents, William and Jean Young. Despite the passing of time and farm improvements - including the addition of extensive drainage, new shelter planting, and the relocation and rebuilding of a woolshed in 1998 under John’s direction - the core of the operation remains much the same. Green Meadows, located in the Wendon Valley, continues as a sheep and beef farm, with plans to put 1500 ewes to the ram this season and keep around 400 ewe lambs as replacements. The farm also grazes 30-40 cattle. The idea to apply for the New Zealand Century Farm Award came from a desire to honour those who came before. It was Shane’s partner, Tracey Jones, who encouraged the next step. When Shane purchased the farm last year, lawyers produced a title search which showed the original purchase from William Young. Tracey recognised the date as being over 100 years ago and took this to Shane’s father, who began delving into the farm’s history to help Tracey better understand its past. “Tracey said, ‘let’s apply for the New Zealand Century Farm Award for your father’,” Shane says. Tracey completed the application, seeing it as a way to recognise the decades of hard work put in by Shane’s parents. We’re proud to support Green Meadows. mmca.co.nz Chartered Accountants | Business Advisors We’ll help you build a smarter, better business. Every drop means quite a lot when it’s from Peters Genetics CLAYTON PETERS 03 204 8817 027 222 4421 JUSTIN WALLIS 03 976 6509 027 225 8330 PETERS GENETICS Angus & Romneys Stock Cartage, General Cartage & Fert Spreading admin@waikakatransport.com 032072885 Together, Creating the Best Soil and Feed on E We are proud to support GreenMeadows farmwithmore efficient nutrient spend so they can domore with less. “Dad has been here 70-odd years, and Mum for over 50,” Shane says. “They’ve worked hard. We wanted to do something special for them, give them a bit of recognition; they helped us in.” For Shane, farming land with such a long history carries a sense of responsibility. “Mum and Dad did it for me to get here, so I want to do my best,” he says. “A big thank you to Mum and Dad; we wouldn’t be here without them.” The New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards programme exists to capture and preserve stories just like Green Meadows’. Now in its 21st year, the programme has recognised more than “Dad has been here 70-odd years, and Mum for over 50,” Shane says. “They’ve worked hard. We wanted to do something special for them, give them a bit of recognition.” 650 farming families nationwide, celebrating farms and stations that have remained in the same family ownership for 100 years or more, with additional recognition for sesquicentennial properties reaching 150 years. The awards invite eligible families to submit a written history of their farm, along with photographs and supporting documents. These records are then archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library, ensuring the stories are preserved in perpetuity.
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