The Forest Lodge Orchard, the world's first cherry orchard powered by 100% electricity and free of fossil fuels, is a visionary venture led by Mike Casey, founder of New Zealand Zero (NZ0). After a successful technology start-up in Australia, Mike and his wife Rebecca returned to New Zealand to realise their dream of owning a house in Central Otago and starting a cherry orchard on eight hectares.
Sensitive to the impact of climate change, the Casey's adopted sustainable solutions for their orchard, planting 9,300 cherry trees using the Upright Fruiting Offshoots (UFO) system, a high-density form of cultivation that optimises land use and minimises water and energy requirements.
The daring decision to eliminate fossil fuels from the orchard was made possible through the installation of a solar and battery system, frost-proof electric fans instead of diesel fans, and the use of solar electric vehicles for internal travel. The result is an orchard with a near-zero energy bill, with the possibility of selling excess energy back to the grid.
Mike Casey, keen to share his experience, founded NZ0 with the aim of supporting the transition to sustainable, fossil fuel-free horticultural solutions. The brand offers acceptance that rewards producers who use renewable energy.
The decarbonisation process, according to Mike, requires a smart approach and changes in approach, as demonstrated by the development of a grant-supported electric sprayer. The use of subsidies, such as that of AGMARDT, contributed significantly to the success of the Forest Lodge Orchard.
The cherry market test showed that consumers were willing to pay an 18% premium for sustainable products, significantly reducing the payback period of electrifying the orchard. Mike, focused on technology and finance, recognises the importance of building a highway to decarbonisation, combining sustainability and profitability to ensure real and lasting change in farming practices.
Read the full article: Rural Delivery
Image: Forest Lodge Orchard
22 May 2025
Washington Fruit Growers unveils a new cherry packing line developed with Unitec. The facility boosts production capacity and brings in advanced technology to ensure quality, flexibility, and speed in meeting the growing global market demand.
08 Jan 2024
The re-use of these by-products thus seems a better alternative to the disposal or annual incineration of millions of tonnes of cherry pits, which not only mitigates environmental pollution, but also adheres to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.
07 Oct 2025
On September 30, the first fresh cherries of the season were harvested in Jujuy, Argentina. This historic milestone opens a new production window for export, thanks to advanced agronomic practices, ultra-early cherry varieties, and unique microclimate and ideal local conditions.
07 Oct 2025
The new Corette rootstock series is reshaping cherry cultivation: rusticity, heat and drought resistance, and adaptability to high-density orchards. Cass, Crawford, and Lake offer earliness, fruit quality, yield, and sustainability for a truly competitive cherry future.
