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
13 Apr 2026
Cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. create a stunning spring display with thousands of identical trees. Behind this beauty lies a weakness: cloning makes them more vulnerable to pests and diseases, leading experts to develop stronger, more resilient varieties.
17 Aug 2023
This study examined the relationship between stocking rates and honeybee and mason bee abundance in 17 sweet cherry orchards in central Germany. Also, an experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of mason bees and honeybees on fruit set of sweet cherry trees.
25 May 2026
In Massimo Biondi’s biodynamic cherry orchard near Cesena, cover crops, microbiota and organic matter improve fertility, resilience and water management. Sweet varieties on Gisela 6 target yields between 80 and 100 quintals per hectare, showing living soil value in orchards.
25 May 2026
Chile’s cherry logistics to China face pressure after a 2025-2026 season with above 445,000 tonnes exported and lower-than-expected returns. At the Global Cherry Summit, Frutas de Chile highlights efficiency, cold chain and reliable transit timing for Cherry Express services.
