Announcing Phyllis Tichinin as one of our speakers at the ODPG 2024 Conference in Hawkes Bay on April 5th and 6th
As an eco-nutritionist with a passion for regenerative farming practices, I’m a consultant for the production of nutrient-dense food that enhances, rather than detracts from the environment. I have specialised knowledge in the fields of soil fertility, biological agriculture, dairy health and hazardous substances policy.
With qualifications in environmental and soil management, plus a range of experiences in biodynamic, organic, and ethical farming practices, I have a wealth of academic knowledge, combined with hands-on practical experience of running my own farm.
My aim is to support New Zealand dairying in moving to the production of dairy products of medicinal quality, resulting in better environmental, animal and human wellbeing. This means revising how we fertilise our soils so that they can grow high brix, diverse, carbon sequestering pastures that fully nourish cows so they can give us high fat soluble vitamin cream with no need for antibiotics or pesticides.
My soul is rooted in the soil, having spent my formative years in rural California, where I saw the cherry orchards of Santa Clara morph to the urban sprawl of Silicone Valley. In my late teens I spent a fascinating year on a dairy farm on the Argentine Pampas, where the seeds of my interest in the sector were sown.
Since then I have consulted to both industry and the farming community in the areas of resource management and conservation; the dangers of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and antibiotics; and approaches to ‘future proofing’ farms. I am a life-long learner and educator, committed to sharing my knowledge with farmers, legislators and influencers.
I also practice what I preach, having spent the last decade raising cows on my organically-certified 48 hectare farm outside Havelock North, NZ. My diverse, high-brix pastures nurture my Jersey herd without the need for vaccines, drenches, antibiotics, grains or chemical sprays.
I established True Health at the urging of Dr Dettloff, to help the NZ dairy industry wean itself off its reliance on antibiotics. I provide highly regarded, imported, organically-certified tinctures, essential oils and aloe vera products to support the health of dairy cows.
True Health animal remedies are part of the bigger picture of helping NZ agriculture to establish microbially robust soils growing premium, diverse pastures that reverse climate change. Ruminants grown on these grasses will be capable of producing medicinal, organic milk high in fat soluble Vitamins A, D and K2… milk that truly nourishes both people and the planet.
BSc Environmental Management & Soils (University California at Davis)
Weston A. Price Foundation Chapter Leader Hawke’s Bay
Diploma Te Reo & Matauranga Maori (Te Wananga o Raukawa)
Numerous courses in biological agriculture and soil microbiology
Executive Committee Organic Dairy and Pastoral Group
Friday 5th and Saturday 6th APRIL
Two Evenings and Saturday Field Trip
at the Havelock North Function Centre, Hawkes Bay
Conference Schedule
As the theme might give away there will be a lot of discussion time this year. Our sector is under increasing pressure with limited capacity for Meat processing and Dairy having major players drop out or looking to discontinue processing. What is our destiny and what can we do? Plenty to talk over.
Our event will kick of on late Friday afternoon with Registrations and then dinner, with speakers following laying the ground work for both Saturdays Field day and our Saturday night panel discussions. We’ll be on farm on Saturday looking at both Soil and Animal Health before returning to the function centre for the AGM, Dinner, more speakers and the Panel Discussion. There will be plenty of time to mix and mingle between planned events.
Included in your ticket is Dinner on Friday and Saturday night plus Lunch on the field trip.