Our ancestors learned the art of self-reliance. This idea appealed to Kay Baxter and Bob Corker of New Zealand. They took it upon themselves to become regenerative farmers back in 1990, “seed-saving” heritage plant foods of New Zealand. Today they live off their land, returning to the simplicity of self-reliance. (1)

Seed Saving Couple Regenerative Farmers

The couple founded the Koanga Institute in Northern Hawke’s Bay. Here regenerative farmers find a place to gather and discuss their commitment to keep their native fruits and vegetables alive. “If we don’t value these seeds enough, we’re going to lose them and we need them for our future; there’s heaps of science there now to show we need them,” says Kay. (1)

To date, their collection includes more than 800 heritage vegetable seeds and over 400 heritage fruit tree and berry seeds. The act of seed-saving takes hard work, but the pair are dedicated to their cause. (1)

Seed Saving Couple Eat Local Food

In 2016, they made a vow to not only continue their commitment to seed-saving but to also buy nothing but salt for the food they eat. Everything else is produced in Kotare Village. They produce their own dairy, eggs, and honey and get their sweetener from homegrown stevia. (1)

“It’s sweeter than the same weight of sugar. When our granddaughter Elanor comes into the garden she usually heads for the stevia first and picks a bit,” says Kay. (1)

Decreased Need For Money

According to Bob, one of the basic philosophies the couple shares is the “key to being self-sufficient is to decrease your need for money.” Instead of trying to earn more money to buy food, they work towards producing it. (1)

“It’s mainly about staying home! If you go out your wallet comes out of your pocket. That makes it difficult for a lot of people but it’s easy to make meaningful changes,” says Bob. “Not everyone wants to be self-sufficient, but everyone can become involved in buying local, nutrient-dense food.” (1)

Seed Saving Couple Find Wild Fruit Trees

When Kay and Bob moved to Bob’s family farm, they happened upon fruit trees growing wild along the road. They pulled over to pick some and Kay noticed how full the trees were with fruit. It also tasted better than cultivated fruit. (1)

Unfortunately, they learned the trees were to be cut down as they were dying. This inspired Kay to do something to save them.  “The food plants and the seeds touch people somehow. We’ve got between one and five percent of the seeds we had 100 years ago,” explains Kay. “Someone has to keep them alive or that’s it, and it’s really clear now that industrial food isn’t going to maintain our health through the generations, so heritage seeds are totally key to our future.” (1)

Local Farmers Source Of Native Seeds

Kay joined a local garden club where she received a bag of heritage bean seeds. “I realized the old seeds had to be with the gardeners, so I started looking there,” says Kay. This launched her life-long commitment to seed-saving. (1)

Sustainable, Healthy Foods

Kotare Village’s regenerative farming focuses on providing healthy food in hand with support for their community. They use sustainable, environmentally friendly practices including improving water availability and ending reliance on fossil fuels and imported fertilizers. They also use solar power, and only grow species suited to the natural environment and culture.  (1)

“When you first start thinking about growing all your own food, you immediately think of all the things you couldn’t give up or how difficult it all seems,” says Bob. “But once you work through the reality and become more confident it turns out it’s no big drama.” (1)