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
25 Jan 2024
A common alternative to fresh consumption is its employment in the production of a wide range of food items. Combining bioactive components and essential acids contained in cherry seeds, a positive repercussion in both economic and environmental terms is desirable.
27 May 2024
Recent storms have severely damaged crops of the emblematic fruit in the Vignola and Savignano areas. According to the producers, 40% to 50% of the cherry production in the Modena area has been compromised.
13 May 2026
A Serbian study on eight sweet cherry genotypes shows how temperature, pollen germination and pollen tube growth affect fertility and fruit set. ‘Lapins’, ‘Canetova’ and ‘G-2’ stand out as more stable, resilient cultivars under changing climate trends in orchards.
13 May 2026
Chile’s cherry industry is facing increasing financial pressure after seasons marked by oversupply, lower returns and strong reliance on China. Legal, contractual and corporate risks are now growing across the export chain, affecting growers, exporters and trade stability.
