Events
You are welcome to attend events the Farm Forestry Association runs every year around the country. Field trips and the annual Conference are open to everyone, members and non-members alike. If you make a habit of coming along we’d like you to sign up, but otherwise enjoy the day, meet new people and learn from their experiences. Please register so that we can keep in touch.
Click here for: Events and Registration
South Otago: NZFFA 2027 Conference - 6th - 10th April 2026 - more details to come.
Conference 2027
Turning Trees into Prosperity – Come South for the NZFFA Conference - 6 to 10 April 2027
What can trees really contribute to a farming business? Timber and carbon are part of the story, but so are shelter, biodiversity, better use of marginal land, farm resilience and succession. The NZFFA National Conference in South Otago will explore “Turning trees into prosperity: the value of farm forestry”, bringing tree growers together to share ideas and see how trees are delivering value on working properties.
Before the boots go on and the field visits begin, the conference opens with an interesting range of speakers who will bring different perspectives to forestry, farming and the opportunities ahead. It’s a chance to hear some fresh thinking, ask questions and set the scene for the practical examples delegates will see over the following days.
Then it’s out into the field. Conference visits will showcase everything from commercial forestry and alternative species to carbon planting, native regeneration, shelterbelts and riparian planting. Delegates will see established forests, long-running tree trials, harvesting operations and some inspiring examples of what can be achieved with challenging land.
Most importantly, there will be plenty of opportunity to get among the trees and talk to the people who grow them. Hear what has worked, what hasn’t and what landowners have learned along the way, while catching up with fellow tree growers from around New Zealand and enjoying some genuine Southern hospitality. Inspired to see more? Register for the NZFFA National Conference and join us in South Otago. Registrations open in January.
Programme
Venue for meetings: Te Pou Ō Mata-Au (TPOMA) Clutha District War Memorial & Community Centre, 6 Clyde Street, Balclutha 9230
Tuesday 6 April
8 am - 4 pm Registration - Community Room
8.30 am - 4.30 pm Neil Barr Farm Forestry Foundation Action Group Meetings Day - Auditorium
8.30 am - 4 pm Trade displays - Boardroom
6 pm - 12 am Social hour, Opening dinner, quiz - Mata-Au Gallery
Wednesday 7 April
7.45 am - 12 pm Registration - Community Room
8 am - 10 am Council Meeting - Auditorium
8.30 am - 4 pm Trade displays - Boardroom
10 am Morning tea - kitchen servery
10.15 am - 12.15 pm NZFFA AGM - Auditorium
12.15 pm - 12.45 pm Lunch - kitchen servery
1 pm - 2.45 pm Speaker sessions
2.45 pm Afternoon tea - kitchen servery
3 pm - 4.10 pm Speaker sessions continue
6 pm - 12 am Social hour, Awards dinner, band - Auditorium
Thursday 8 April - First Field Day
8 am Buses depart from TPOMA carpark
Manuka Gorge Farm, Calder Stewart Walkway, PanPac, cypress trial block
5.30 pm Buses arrive back at Balclutha, free evening
Friday 9 April - Second Field Day
8 am Buses depart from TPOMA carpark
Glenmore Farm, Pine View
5 pm Buses arrive back at Balclutha
6 pm - 12 am Social hour, Closing dinner, band - Rosebank Lodge
Saturday 10 April - Third Field Day - pick an option
8 am Cars depart from Town Hall carpark. Options:
- Wilden property near Dunedin OR
- Visit to Mike Hurring then Colinswood and Stihl demo OR
- Graylands and Landcorp