Ray and Margaret Woolley with Toni Bye from Agrecovery outside Farmlands Kaitaia
Avocado grower, Ray Woolley from Kaitaia, is delighted to have won the Suzuki DR200 Trojan farmbike Agrecovery offered as an incentive to draw new participants to the recycling programme.
On hearing he’d won the ‘Kick start your winter clean up’ promotion, Ray exclaimed
“I’m 76 years old and it’s the first time I’ve won anything of value. It’s fantastic news!”
Ray first read about Agrecovery when the avocado industry magazine “Avoscene” ran a story on the autumn motorbike promotion.
“My wife Margaret and I have always had green principles, recycling through the council when they first introduced recycling depots in the early 80’s.
“We bought the avocado orchard in Houhora as a retirement block and quickly realised the need to recycle empty plastic chemical containers. The staff at our local Agrecovery site always greet us with a smile; it’s great to deal with such enthusiastic supporters of the programme. They really support and encourage good farming practices.”
Ray is adamant they will continue to recycle their containers: “The system is so easy, everyone without exception should be supporting this great initiative ensuring we keep our clean green image.
“World markets demand these policies from exporters and NZ GAP certification is now a necessary qualification to ensure farmers uphold these standards/practices and meet their obligations to recycle empty chemical containers and dispose of obsolete agrichemicals.
“Winning this wonderful Suzuki farmbike feels like a fitting reward for taking on the personal responsibility of keeping New Zealand the way we like it!”