28/06/2026
Mix it up and keep it fresh
Pahiatua farmer David Swansson agrees there’s plenty to love about farming, but it can still feel like a grind at times.
Here’s what he does to live well, farm well.
“On a farm the to-do list never gets any shorter. It’s a bit of a bottomless pit really. You could be there ‘til the day you die and still not get through it all.”
His advice?
“Take note of what lights your fire, it could be hunting, tramping or sports of any sort and make sure you fit that in your week. You might be able to incorporate it in your day, either morning, lunchtime or evening, whatever suits, but make sure you fit it in.”
“The importance of getting out and doing something that recharges you far outweighs the negatives. In the long run, it benefits not just you, but the farm too.”
Increasing it builds resilience to face the many pressures involved in farming. Being more resilient allows you to recover quickly from life’s setbacks.
