Mangaweka asparagus farmers cross fingers on picking date

George Turney

The healthy eating message is well out there.

Mangaweka asparagus farmers George and Diana Turney recently returned from visiting relatives in Britain say eating healthy food was big and popular.

"We had noticed it here with our own produce but it's great to see it's everywhere.'' they said.

George laughed when he said he was absolutely amazed to walk into a lift in London and on the back wall was an advertisement of one huge asparagus spear.

"I was blown away.''

The couple noticed people were buying loads more vegetables even though George had to give a cousin a lesson in cooking asparagus.

"I couldn't believe it. She took the bunch of asparagus, rubber band and all, and dumped it into a pot of water and boiled them for half-an-hour....well you imagine how they turned out. I gave her a lesson the next day. Asparagus only need to be blanched there's no actual cooking involved.''

Diana, who takes fresh asparagus during the season to a local farmers market, said she can't sell them fast enough.

"I even go there now with directions on how to cook asparagus, different dressings you can use and recipes featuring the vegetable. People love it.''

The couple admit they're slightly worried about an early spring.

"It's getting quite warm and we don't want the soil to warm up too soon and bring the crop on early. We'd have no way of harvesting it.''

Last year their brand new $600,000 farmworkers accommodation block opened and the full contingent of 44 of their seasonal workers from Vanuatu starts arriving on October 5.

Our Pacific Island workers are our saviours but we can't just bring them in any old time, George said.

He said because of low unemployment in Taihape they brought in Pacific Island workers from Vanuatu otherwise they would never have the numbers for seasonal picking.

"They are a real blessing to us.'

"Let's hope the season gets off to a good start.

"Last year there was too much rain. And in Vanuatu the boys tell us it was too dry; they need rain. So we all prayed in church on Sunday for rain for the islands and dry weather for us."

The workers come to the Turney's farm under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) programme.
Of the 44 Vanuatu workers between October and January, some will be doing their ninth season with the Turneys this year.

"They are great boys; they're like family now."

The men have also found a place in the Mangaweka and Taihape communities.

"The boys' singing is legendary. They really have the most beautiful voices."

As well as singing regularly in the small Kawhatau Valley Church, the workers will sing at the Taihape Christmas Parade and give a special concert in the town as well.

Farm Manager Sam Rainey said he's keeping his fingers crossed that an early warm spring doesn't bring the crop on.

"To bring in our seasonal workers we have to give authorities a provisional date that we think it's all go and hopefully we're right for October 5. But it's a real gamble.''