Society is increasingly aware of the connection between the health of the land, of animals and of humans. Visions of ‘foodscapes’ and ‘healthscapes’ are eclipsing the conventional view of landscapes focused solely on production. Aotearoa’s dairy farming systems must co-evolve with this thinking
Lincoln University has designed and is implementing the Integral Health Dairy Farm to test and communicate these new and transformational systems views. Its objective is to innovate, to demonstrate and to manage a tangible transition from current practices to a system designed to enhance health, from the ground up. This includes measured improvements in soil, plant, animal, human and community health.
The Integral Health Dairy Farm aims to:
•Produce healthier dairy products
•Reconcile consumers and citizens with dairy farming
•Be visually different and aesthetically appealing
•Heal negative connotations and environmental impact
•Provide a positive emotional environment for animals
•Provide a new range of narratives for the industry
•Enhance the sense of belonging to the land
•Catalyse real and healthy transformational change
Our expected outcomes
A more ethical and sustainable way of dairying by promoting the espousing of values that make positive contribution to human and environmental health, local economy and primary producers, animal wellbeing and biodiversity.
