It was standing-room only at the Waipawa Municipal Theatre for this super-stimulating event, organised by Business Hawkes Bay, and hosted by the Mayor of Central Hawkes Bay, Alex Walker. Alex’s opening comments alluded to the threats and opportunities on the horizon with changing consumer preferences, population growth driving interest in non-meat protein, and climate change. A range of exciting options for non-conventional farming were discussed, including hemp, hops, pyrethrum, blueberries and goats for fibre, meat and dairy. Additional speakers covered various topics including MPI’s new Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures fund and sound planning for synergistic tree-planting with farming operations to maximise environmental and economic benefit.
Another great event from the Business Hawkes Bay team, following on from the truly outstanding Future Foods conference, held in late 2018.