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Farming for the Future in Ellesmere
Description
NameFarming for the Future
DescriptionWelcome to the collection of stories around farming in Ellesmere, through the heritage panel at the tuna (eel) sculpture at Leeston.
Ellesmere became a bountiful and fertile place to grow and gather food. The Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki people were involved in fishing, eeling and harvesting wildfowl, as well as growing kūmara and fern root and later, potatoes and turnips, among many other foods.
From the 1850s the early station owners ran sheep and cattle. As the land was changed to support farming, through the drainage of wetlands and the introduction of water races and shelter-belts, livestock studs were established. This assisted the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association to organise the first show in 1871.
As farming further developed in Ellesmere in the 1860s it became known as ‘the great farming district of the province’ and the leading wheat producer in New Zealand. In 1869 the Rev. W. J. G. Bluett organised the first shipment of wheat to England. Wheat, oats, barley and peas remained the main crops. The suitable soils and climate also supported seed crops such as grass and clover. White clover became the most valuable seed crop in the district. In recent years, crops have diversified further with the production of fresh and processed foods, and specialty vegetable seed crops.
The increased prominence of the dairy industry has changed agriculture across Ellesmere. Large dairy farms have been established on lighter irrigated soils, smaller farms have been amalgamated, and sheep numbers have declined.
Date2024
DescriptionWelcome to the collection of stories around farming in Ellesmere, through the heritage panel at the tuna (eel) sculpture at Leeston.Ellesmere became a bountiful and fertile place to grow and gather food. The Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki people were involved in fishing, eeling and harvesting wildfowl, as well as growing kūmara and fern root and later, potatoes and turnips, among many other foods.
From the 1850s the early station owners ran sheep and cattle. As the land was changed to support farming, through the drainage of wetlands and the introduction of water races and shelter-belts, livestock studs were established. This assisted the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association to organise the first show in 1871.
As farming further developed in Ellesmere in the 1860s it became known as ‘the great farming district of the province’ and the leading wheat producer in New Zealand. In 1869 the Rev. W. J. G. Bluett organised the first shipment of wheat to England. Wheat, oats, barley and peas remained the main crops. The suitable soils and climate also supported seed crops such as grass and clover. White clover became the most valuable seed crop in the district. In recent years, crops have diversified further with the production of fresh and processed foods, and specialty vegetable seed crops.
The increased prominence of the dairy industry has changed agriculture across Ellesmere. Large dairy farms have been established on lighter irrigated soils, smaller farms have been amalgamated, and sheep numbers have declined.
Date2024Image
Collection
Map
Narrative
Connections
OrganisationAlex McDonald LtdImageCridge engine threshing hay Selwyn participation in the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, 1889-1890, DunedinGlenrowan, near Brookside, Canterburyfarm locationMapFarm location map of central Canterbury district c1970NarrativeCaring for the land: Ellesmere Sustainable Agriculture Inc.
ImageCridge engine threshing hay Selwyn participation in the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, 1889-1890, DunedinGlenrowan, near Brookside, Canterburyfarm locationMapFarm location map of central Canterbury district c1970NarrativeCaring for the land: Ellesmere Sustainable Agriculture Inc.Attribution
Farming for the Future in Ellesmere (2024). Selwyn Stories, accessed 21/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6187