Otago Polytechnic (Te Pūkenga) Central Campus agricultural students and staff are set to star on the small screen on Sunday’s Country Calendar episode (July 23).

The 30-minute episode screens on TV One tomorrow and is the result of a five-day shoot held in Central Otago in March.

The episode focuses on the operations of Tinwald Farm, which plays an important part in ongoing innovations in providing practical, hands-on agricultural learning.

Recognising that farming courses could not be effectively delivered solely in a classroom, Otago Polytechnic signed a memorandum of understanding with Tinwald Farm, a 744 hectare property between Cromwell and Wānaka that runs sheep and beef and also grows pinot noir grapes.

As a result, in 2020 Tinwald Farm opened its gates to Otago Polytechnic students, who spend more than half of their academic time at the farm, where they are engaged in everyday tasks that enable them to meet academic requirements as well as gain real-world skills and knowledge.

Otago Polytechnic’s high country farming programme, delivered from its Central Campus in Cromwell, offers a New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Farming Systems level three) and a New Zealand Certificate in Operational Skills (Infrastructure level three).

Tinwald Farm cattle and scenery. PHOTO: Country Calendar 

Central Otago-based lecturer Roger Williams said the programme was unique as it delivers a high-country focus.

"Having relationships with a number of farms and stations within the local farming community is vital to the effectiveness of our programmes - as well as to student engagement and success.”

Roger said he was looking forward to watching the Country Calendar episode this weekend.

"Although I did have the camera pointed at me and was wired for sound, I’m unsure if I made the final cut."

Country Calendar producer Julian O’Brien confirmed Roger and several students have made the final cut and will appear in a range of scenes.

Watch a preview about Tinwald Farm’s regenerative farming principles on Country Calendar’s Facebook page.

Country Calendar is in its 58th year of telling stories of rural New Zealand. 

Find out more about Central Campus farming courses on the High Country Farming page.