Forest Lodge Orchard is the world’s first 100% electric, zero fossil fuel orchard. Owners Mike & Rebecca Casey were determined to create a pioneering operation that paves the way for other business owners looking to shift towards more sustainable practices.
As well as the environmental benefits, sustainable agribusinesses can get a much bigger gate return, because conscious consumers are willing to pay more - and Forest Lodge’s “electric cherries” are higher quality, too.
“Absolutely every piece of our machinery is 100% electric, and as a result, we’ve pretty much eliminated the entirety of our emissions,” Mike says.
“We’re trying to be that example for farmers around New Zealand.”
One of the biggest barriers to going fossil fuel free was insurance. Forest Lodge is in Central Otago, where winter temperatures mean frosts are a significant threat. Like all of the orchard’s machinery, the frost fans are electrically powered, so a power cut at the wrong time could cost Mike his whole crop.
GSI South CEO, Sean Lysaght, worked with Mike for over 18 months to develop a unique business interruption cover, where if Forest Lodge Orchard loses income due to loss of electric power, they can receive loss of profit cover.
Finding an underwriter who was willing to support Mike’s operation was a challenge, Sean says; during the 18-month development period most underwriters “just didn’t want to know us.”
“Insuring crops against frost is very difficult,” Sean says. “While we're not insuring against a frost - we’re insuring against a power cut - at the first mention of frost, most underwriters run for the hills.”
While most horticulturalists would rely on a backup diesel generator, Mike was determined to find another solution. “When you are determined to create real change and do it on a large scale,” he says, “you need to remove the blocks that might stop others from following you.”
Sean worked with Vero to develop the “really unique” cover for Forest Lodge, enabling Mike’s operation to thrive.
As your insurance partner, we're your advocate at claim time, the expert in your corner, and a safe pair of hands for your operation. Learn more about how we can support your business by booking a chat with one of our Christchurch team.
