Every batch of Folium Organics plant powder starts in a paddock on the Canterbury Plains.

Before we dry, mill or pack anything, we grow it. We farm approximately 500 hectares of certified organic land across four farms. Our growers make decisions every day about soil, water, timing and harvest.

Here is what a growing season looks like for us.

Why Canterbury

The Canterbury Plains are New Zealand's leading arable region. The area has fertile soils, long summer daylight and a temperate maritime climate. Many farms also have access to artesian irrigation thanks to the massive aquifers sitting beneath the Plains.

These conditions suit leaf crops well. Long days support strong, green growth. A mild climate reduces stress on the plants.

Starting with the soil

Organic farming depends on healthy soil. We cannot use synthetic fertilisers or synthetic pesticides. Instead, we build fertility through crop rotation, careful cultivation and good soil management.

Our four farms have different soil types. These include heavier Flaxton soils, deep Mayfield silt, Claremont and Timaru silt, and Wakanui silt. Some farms are irrigated. Others are dryland. This mix gives us a more resilient production base. If one farm has a difficult season, the others can help balance supply.

Planting and growth

Our leaf crops grow on a cycle of around six to eight weeks. This short cycle gives us flexibility. We can plan sowing so that crops reach harvest at different times across the season.

During growth, our growers walk the crops and check their condition. They look at leaf colour, density, weed pressure and moisture. Our grower-directors are part of the business, so they can discuss crop condition with the production team and act quickly.

Choosing the right moment to harvest

Harvest timing has a large effect on quality. For cereal grasses such as barley and wheat, we harvest the young leaf before the plant moves into its grain-producing stage.

We use specialised Bonino harvesting equipment. It cuts the leaf cleanly and handles it gently. This reduces bruising and damage before drying.

From field to dryer, fast

Our processing plant sits within our farming operation. Harvested leaf travels from the field to the dryer in a short time. There is no long transport between sites.

We dry the leaf with gentle hot air on Perry continuous belt dryers. This protects the natural colour, flavour and nutrients of the crop. We then mill it to a fine powder of around 70 microns.

Traceability from paddock to carton

Every batch is identified and controlled through harvest, drying, milling and packing. We know which farm and which paddock a batch came from, and when it was harvested.

This level of traceability is possible because we grow and process our own crops. We are not a trading company buying material from unknown sources.

Experience behind every season

Our growers bring decades of certified organic farming experience. Tim has more than 40 years in certified organic farming and was an early BioGro director. Rob helped build and commission our processing facility.

This knowledge helps us manage each season with care, and deliver consistent quality to our customers.

See where your ingredients come from

If you want to know more about how and where your ingredients are grown, we are happy to share details. Contact our team to discuss supply, request samples, or ask about our farms.

Folium Organics is not a trading company. We grow our own crops.

Our leaf powders come from approximately 500 hectares of certified organic farmland across the Canterbury Plains and Downlands. This land is spread across four farms. Each farm has its own soil, rainfall and drainage.

Here is a short guide to each one, and why the mix matters to our customers.

Harts Creek Farm

Harts Creek is one of Canterbury's pioneering irrigated certified organic farms. The Chamberlain family has owned and managed it for generations.

The farm has heavier Flaxton soils. With careful management, these soils perform strongly in dry seasons. Stream restoration and dedicated biodiversity areas are a central part of the property.

Greendale

Greendale is a dryland arable farm. This means it relies on rainfall, not irrigation.

It has deep Mayfield silt soils and a strong record of high-performing crops. Because its conditions differ from our irrigated farms, Greendale gives us valuable balance across the season.

The Downs

The Downs is a fertile certified organic property on Claremont and Timaru silt soils.

The farm has extensive drainage. Together with its location and careful soil management, this supports reliable dryland leaf-crop production.

Willowmere Farm

Willowmere is a long-established irrigated organic operation near Hororata, on mainly Wakanui silt soils. It is now owned by Rob, one of our grower-directors, and is the newest farm in our growing base. Its first barley crop under Rob was grown in 2025.

It has a history of growing process vegetables, cereals and prime lamb. Its soil fertility and planted biodiversity areas support productive and resilient organic farming. Irrigation water comes from the Central Plains Water scheme, which gives the farm a reliable supply through the growing season.

Why four farms instead of one

Weather in Canterbury changes from season to season. A dry summer affects an irrigated farm differently from a dryland farm. Heavy soils and silt soils also respond differently to rain and drought.

By growing across four farms, we spread this risk. If one farm has a difficult season, the others can help balance supply. For our customers, this means more dependable volumes and more consistent quality.

Our leaf crops grow on a cycle of around six to eight weeks. Across four farms, we can plan sowing and harvest so that fresh leaf reaches our dryer at a steady pace.

All four farms feed one processing plant

Our processing plant sits within our farming operation. Harvested leaf moves from the field to our Perry continuous belt dryers quickly. It is then milled to around 70 microns, screened and packed.

Every batch is identified and controlled through harvest, drying, milling and packing. We can tell you which farm a batch came from and when it was harvested.

Grown by the people who run the business

Our growers are part of Folium's governance and production team. Tim Chamberlain has more than 40 years of certified organic farming experience. Rob helped build and commission our processing facility, and now farms Willowmere.

Crop condition and harvest timing are discussed directly between growers and the production team. Decisions are made quickly, and close to the crop.

Ask us about our farms

If traceable origin matters to your brand, we are happy to share more about where your ingredients are grown. Contact our team to discuss supply or request samples.

Inside a Canterbury Growing Season