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Electric Cherries in the Spotlight

From the heart of Central Otago, Electric Cherries are making waves across the globe. Discover why these cherries are capturing headlines and taste buds alike.

Electric Cherries as seen on

International

Everything Electric Show

The Everything Electric Show dives into the world of electrification, showcasing cutting-edge tech and groundbreaking sustainability projects. Hosted by Robert Llewellyn and his team, the show explores how businesses, homes, and transport are going fully electric. In this episode, they visit Forest Lodge Orchard in Otago, New Zealand—the world’s first fully electric cherry farm—where innovation meets sustainability. Subscribe for in-depth coverage of the electrification revolution!

Breakfast News

The Tractor Lap

We just made history as the first tractor to lap Highlands Motorsport Park and we’re calling it: slowest EV record officially set 🐢⚡

Thanks to the team at TVNZ's Breakfast for the great chat and helping us spread the message that electric isn’t just for city streets — it’s for orchards, farms, and yes… even racetracks 🚜

Nationwide

Seven Sharp

Rachel Parkin of Seven Sharp recently visited Forest Lodge Orchard in Cromwell to cover their innovative "Adopt a Tree" programme. This initiative allows individuals to select and name a cherry tree within the orchard, enabling them to follow its growth and development throughout the season. Participants receive updates and, during harvest, enjoy the fruits of their adopted tree. This programme not only fosters a personal connection between consumers and sustainable farming but also supports the orchard's commitment to zero-emission, fully electric operations.

Nationwide

BNZ Business Partner

As the world’s first fully electric farm, Forest Lodge has embraced renewable energy, electrification, and innovative growing techniques to create a more sustainable and profitable future. With BNZ’s Green Business Loan and tailored financial support, the orchard has swapped out diesel for electric, proving that sustainability and smart business go hand in hand. This visit highlights how partnerships can drive real change in agriculture, setting a new standard for the industry.

Nationwide

TVNZ - Monarch Tractor

In July 2023, TVNZ's Hyundai Country Calendar featured Forest Lodge Orchard in Cromwell, highlighting their adoption of New Zealand's first fully electric, driver-optional tractor—the MK-V Monarch. This innovative machinery aligns with the orchard's commitment to sustainability, making it the world's first 100% electric, zero-fossil-fuel orchard. The episode showcased the tractor's capabilities and its role in revolutionising sustainable farming practices.

Nationwide

Ecotricity

Ecotricity NZ recently featured the Monarch MK-V, New Zealand's first fully electric, driver-optional tractor, in a spotlight segment. This innovative tractor, operating at Forest Lodge Orchard in Cromwell, exemplifies a significant advancement in sustainable agriculture. The MK-V not only reduces emissions but also enhances operational efficiency through its autonomous capabilities. Ecotricity's coverage highlights how this technology is revolutionising farming practices in New Zealand.

Nationwide

Country Calendar

We took centre stage on Country Calendar. The episode highlighted the orchard’s innovative use of renewable energy, including its solar-powered operations and electric farm machinery, setting a new standard for environmentally friendly agriculture in New Zealand

Want to make a story about Electric Cherries?

We love sharing the story of Electric Cherries and the innovations happening at Forest Lodge Orchard. Whether you're a journalist, content creator, or just passionate about sustainability, we're happy to chat about:
‍
‍Electric farming – how we’re running an orchard with zero fossil fuels.
‍Solar-powered agriculture – our 160 kW system and energy independence.
‍Sustainable cherry growing – from soil health to regenerative practices.
‍The future of food production – innovation, automation, and electrification.
‍The cherry industry in NZ – challenges, opportunities, and our vision.

Got an idea for a story? Let’s talk!

Send us a Message

More Forest Lodge News Spots

TVNZ Breakfast: A Tractor Hot Lap to Remember

April 10, 2025
It’s not every day you see a tractor at a racetrack—but then again, this isn’t your average orchard. When we first rolled the Monarch MK-V electric tractor onto the orchard, we never imagined it would end up setting a lap time at Highlands Motorsport Park. But here we are, with our fully electric workhorse not just turning soil, but turning heads on the track and making it onto TVNZ’s Breakfast Show in the process.
Read more

Seven Sharp Feature

March 13, 2025
We’ve had our fair share of cameras on the orchard over the past few years, but there was something pretty special about hosting Rachel Parkin and the Seven Sharp team earlier this year.
Read more

TV Feature: A New Zealand Food Story w Ben Bayly

June 28, 2025
The team are extremely honoured to be featured on the latest season of A New Zealand Food Story with well-known Kiwi chef Ben Bayly. The episode airs 12 July on TVNZ 1, and it’s a real honour to have Forest Lodge Orchard highlighted alongside some of Aotearoa’s most innovative food producers.
Read more

Featured by EECA: Farming with Sunshine

June 18, 2025
We were very excited to be featured in a new video by EECA, all about how farms across New Zealand are switching on to solar power and seeing real benefits. The video highlights both Kawaiwai Dairies and us here at Forest Lodge, showing how solar and battery systems are helping us cut costs, boost energy independence, and move toward a lower-carbon future. On our orchard, solar is at the heart of everything we do. And with 160kW of solar and 300kWh of battery storage, we generate way more power than we use so we often send this extra power back to the grid.
Read more

Rural Life ODT: Electric Hilux

May 18, 2025
As featured in the Otago Daily Times, we’ve officially given one of New Zealand’s most iconic farm vehicles, the trusty Toyota Hilux, a fully electric second life.
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Otago Daily Times: Driving New Zealand’s Energy Transition

June 6, 2025
It’s always great to see the conversation around electric farming gaining momentum, and we were especially proud to be featured in the Otago Daily Times in a piece focused on the energy transition happening across New Zealand.
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Ecotricity NZ: A 100% Electric Farm That Runs on Sunshine

November 29, 2024
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Otago Daily Times: The Power of Generating Our Own Electricity

September 11, 2024
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Otago Daily Times: Driving the Energy Transition

December 28, 2024
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Paddy Gower's The F#$%ing News

December 10, 2024
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F+B Tech Magazine Feature

October 30, 2024
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1 News Feature

August 8, 2023
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Hyundai Country Calendar Episode

October 8, 2023
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Cromwell innovator launches electric frost fighting system

November 25, 2020
Mike Casey introduces electric frost-fighting fans and modified electric golf carts at his cherry orchard in Cromwell, aiming for a carbon-neutral operation and showcasing renewable energy benefits.
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Air NZ - Kia Ora Magazine

April 23, 2021
Mike Casey operates a zero-fossil-fuel cherry orchard, using advanced engineering and computer code to achieve full electrification, featured in the Southern Lens series for its sustainable impact.
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Cherry orchard preparing for electric future

April 23, 2021
Mike Casey's zero-fossil-fuel cherry orchard near Lake Dunstan uses advanced engineering and computer code for full electrification, showcased in the Southern Lens series for its sustainable practices.
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Southern Lens - Electric Orchard

November 25, 2020
Mike Casey introduces electric frost-fighting fans and modified electric golf carts at his cherry orchard in Cromwell, aiming for a carbon-neutral operation and showcasing renewable energy benefits.
Read more

Sustainable energy association awards Forest Lodge Orchard innovation

November 25, 2020
Mike Casey introduces electric frost-fighting fans and other electric machinery at his cherry orchard in Cromwell, aiming for a carbon-neutral operation and demonstrating renewable energy benefits.
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SEANZ Fronius New Zealand Sustainable Energy Industry Awards 2021

July 12, 2021
Forest Lodge Orchard, led by Mike and Rebecca Casey, aims for a fully electric operation using solar power and electric machinery, targeting zero fossil fuels and net zero energy bills.
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NZ's electricity crisis. Doing our bit and the need for Distributed Energy Resources (DER)

July 12, 2021
Forest Lodge Orchard, led by Mike and Rebecca Casey, aims for a fully electric operation using solar power and electric machinery, targeting zero fossil fuels and net zero energy bills.
Read more

NZ Herald: Small Business: Turning cherry orchard electric pays off

May 29, 2022
The Caseys have converted their cherry orchard to an all-electric operation, significantly reducing costs and emissions. They use solar and battery systems combined with grid power, leading to near-zero energy bills.
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Otago Daily Times: Turning cherry orchard electric pays off

May 28, 2022
The Caseys and their partners converted Forest Lodge Orchard to an all-electric operation, significantly reducing costs and emissions. They use solar and battery systems combined with grid power, leading to near-zero energy bills.
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2021 Sustainability Awards Finalist

July 6, 2021
Forest Lodge Orchard won a national award for its renewable electric system, highlighting their innovative use of solar power and efforts to reduce fossil fuel use.
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Kia Ora Magazine May Edition - The cherry on top

August 12, 2021
The article announces the finalists for the 2021 Sustainable Business Awards, highlighting Forest Lodge Orchard for its sustainable practices.
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24/25 Season Harvest Snaps