Meet Angela and Hamish Cottle, the husband-and-wife team behind Higher Grounds Farm in Downlands, South Canterbury. They're one of the farms behind Harmony pork, the brand we've chosen for Good Groceries by Wonky, and their approach to farming shows exactly what we're backing.
When Hamish returned to his family's farm in 2007, they needed a way to support two families on one property. They found it in free-range pigs—but not just any setup. A system where pigs could actually be pigs.
Today, Higher Grounds runs 280 breeding sows alongside sheep and beef on 370 hectares of South Canterbury farmland. The pigs get proper space to roam—no cages, no concrete floors. Just open fields, fresh air, and sunshine.
The sows get purpose-built heated yurts for farrowing, designed so mum can come and go while keeping piglets safe. The philosophy is simple: provide plenty of bedding, feed on demand, and access to grass and shelter. Keep the pigs comfortable, and they'll thrive.
The Cottles move their pigs around the farm on a five to six-year rotation. Pigs spend four to five months in older pasture, naturally fertilising the soil as they root around. Once they move on, the paddock gets a catch crop, then returns to pasture for sheep and beef.
The pigs don't come back to the same spot for five or six years, keeping them on "clean ground" with minimal disease risk. The result? Better grass, better crops, healthier soil, and a farm that works smarter.
Angela's a South Island Technical Specialist in soil for PGG Wrightson, with a farm management degree and 18 years of fertiliser experience. Passionate about soil science, she brings cutting-edge knowledge back to the farm and handles the policy work that keeps a modern operation running.
Hamish did a butchery apprenticeship before mustering cattle in Australia (on horseback and by helicopter), then spent time playing rugby in Scotland. When he came home, he brought a clear vision for better farming.
Together, they've built a farm that works for their family, their animals, and their land.
The Cottles face the same challenges as other Kiwi farmers - rising costs and competition from cheap imported pork that floods our supermarkets. The quality gap is massive. While farmers like Angela and Hamish are passionate about giving their animals the best possible life, imported pork often comes from systems that prioritise cost-cutting over welfare.
This is why we chose to stock Harmony pork, because it comes from farms like Higher Grounds. When you buy from Good Groceries by Wonky, you know your meat comes from farmers who prioritise animal welfare and sustainable farming practices.
No mystery meat. Just traceable, ethical pork from a real South Canterbury family farm, delivered fresh with your Wonky Box.
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