The ground up
From their farm in the shadow of Mount Ruapehu, Rita and Dave Hammond have developed a product that is shaking things up.
Their business, Sustaina Grow, creates wool-based products for the planting industry. They also offer corporate and delegate gifts to help companies achieve their sustainability goals.
Their product range includes growing bags, mulch mats, nursery growing kits, and tree guards.
Rita says the idea for Sustaina Grow came from firsthand experience and a desire to move away from synthetics.
“I used wool all the time in my own garden from our wool shed. I have three young children, and it horrifies me how much plastic is used in gardening.”
Helping clients on their journey to introduce their 100 per cent New Zealand-made wool products is something Rita says they love to do, and interest is far-reaching.
“We are a one-stop shop; we not only produce and sell wool mulch rolls for erosion and sediment control, but we also work with organic orchards to help with their mulch options. We provide all things from wool spray guards to wool tree guards and wool tree wraps.”
In light of the growing trend of forest and scrub fires in summer, Rita sees real potential for their wool tree guards in the protection of orchards, forests, and private plantings.
“Wool is a natural fire retardant. Wool tree guards are much less of a fire risk than cardboard or plastic alternatives.”
Sustaina Grow is self-funded, but it’s a challenge that the Hammonds have embraced.
“As a family with young children, this has been hard; however, we believe in what we are doing, and we see that people are starting to believe in us.”
Alongside environmental benefits, Rita says she is excited about the added value their products bring to the wool market.
“We currently source our wool from over 200 farms. We would love to see wool tree guards replace the alternatives on every highway in New Zealand, supporting a stronger wool industry and better farm gate returns for our sheep farmers.”