Nicky Berger: The Inspiring Farmer Reconnecting Kiwis with Their Roots
Living the Dream
Imagine swapping the hustle and bustle of city life for the serene, open spaces of a farm. That’s exactly what Nicky Berger, a 41-year-old farmer, has done. She’s not just living the dream; she’s helping others reconnect with the land and understand the importance of farming.
From City Aspirations to Farm Life
Nicky’s journey to farming wasn’t a straightforward path. Born on a sheep and beef farm, she once dreamed of city life. She pursued a degree in urban planning and worked in the building industry for four years. However, a tragic event in 2004 changed everything. After her father’s sudden passing, Nicky returned to the farm to help with shearing. The community’s support during this tough time made her realize she wanted to be back living in that kind of community.
A Day in the Life
Today, Nicky strolls around her 250ha Kaipara Harbour farm, gathering herbs and wildflowers under shady oak trees. She’s the real deal, raising four children and growing food for the world. With 2500 ewes, 200 Angus cows, and another thousand or so cattle spread across several farms, Nicky’s life is anything but slow-paced. Her “rise at 5:30 am, bed by 9 pm” lifestyle keeps her busy, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Bridging the Gap
Nicky’s passion for farming led her to work with Open Farms, an organization that reconnects Kiwis with the land, food, and farmers through farm open days. This year, around 60 farms across the country are involved, from blueberry and asparagus farms to sheep and beef farms like Nicky’s.
Educating and Advocating
Nicky is on a mission to educate Kiwis about the importance of farming and to advocate for farmers. She welcomes the opportunity to show the strides farmers are making in sustainability and to change opinions.
“We live in a world that’s increasingly disconnected from reality, especially regarding where our food comes from,” Nicky explains. “Farming is real; there’s dirt, and there’s life and death.”
Grassfed in the City
Nicky’s passion for farming led her to start Grassfed in the City, a social media collective of modern farm girls talking about food, family, and farming on the fringes of Auckland city. The Facebook page has over 2000 followers and frequently gets 50,000 views for its videos.
“I’m so passionate about farming; I wanted to tell its stories – both good and bad,” Nicky says. “Animals die whether we eat them or not, and farmers need to make life and death decisions every day. We need to be comfortable talking about that.”
Building a Life Together
Nicky met her husband Dan at the rugby club. They ran a shearing gang for several years before saving enough for a farm deposit. Despite the challenges, including the global financial crisis, they persevered.
“It wasn’t great timing, but when you’re doing work you know you’re supposed to do, you just keep going,” Nicky says. Their solid relationship and shared passion for farming have helped them through tough times.
Looking Ahead
Nicky and Dan’s dedication to farming is unwavering. They’ve had few holidays in 14 years, and life on the farm can get lonely, but they wouldn’t want to do anything else. Nicky’s work with Open Farms and Grassfed in the City continues to inspire and educate, bridging the gap between Kiwis and the land.
Sustainable Farming
Farmers are working to reduce their impact on the environment and to be more sustainable, doing things like planting trees and fencing waterways. A 2020 AUT study showed New Zealand sheep and beef farms are either carbon neutral or almost at that level.
For more information on sustainable farming practices, you can visit the Ministry for Primary Industries website.
