WHY DID WE CHOOSE THIS LIFE?
About Us
Mike and Rebecca share how they got into cherry farming, why they chose to call Cromwell home, and the story behind growing Electric Cherries.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
A Couple of Mates
When Mike bought the land and decided to plant the cherry trees, he knew that this would be a big project and would need some help.
Mike picked up the phone to his school friend Euan. "What do you know about growing cherries?", he asked. "Nothing!" he replied. So of course he was the obvious choice to make him his business partner and orchard manager.
After seeking the support of local consultants they set about planting out the 9,300 trees on the orchard. After a lot of learning they are now leaders in electric farming in the world.
THE DREAM TEAM
Getting You Your Cherries
Rebecca and Rachel keep the ship sailing smoothly. Running the accounts, organising events, managing orders and deliveries.
When they're not busy at the orchard or in the office, they are super-mums of the Electric Cherry family.
WATCH OUR STORY
The Electric Cherry Journey
AS FEATURED ON
A TIMELINE OF OUR JOURNEY
Our History
JUNE 2019
Forest Lodge Founded
A 6 hectare cherry orchard using the upright fruiting offshoots (UFO) growing strategy.
AUGUST 2019
Ground Broken
Consent to drill granted and struck water on first drilling! Who didn't check the plan?
OCTOBER 2019
5,700 Trees Planted
Planting the first of our Electric Cherry trees. The tiny twigs that would one day become our amazing trees.
DECEMBER 2019
Golf Cart Purchased
The first step on our electrification journey, taking full advantage of an age of new electric technology.
MARCH 2020
Solar Installed
23 kWh solar array & batteries installed. Surplus power charges our batteries, then exports back to the grid.
SEPTEMBER 2020
Kootenay Trees Planted
A further 1,700 Kootenay cherry trees planted, bringing the orchard near full capacity.
OCTOBER 2020
Electric Frost Fans
New Zealand's first electric frost fans, installed with a demonstration grant from EECA.
NOVEMBER 2020
Electric Mower
A whopping 122 cm tray, meaning we can mow a full row without having to make a return trip.
FEBRUARY 2021
Exporting Power
Started exporting power back to the grid during congestion periods, to help support the New Zealand power network.
MARCH 2021
Nets Installed
Installation & completion of orchard net structure to protect against birds, hail and provide some frost protection.
APRIL 2021
Southern Lens Profile
Featured by Crux and Southern Lens. Helping our electric orchard story reaches a wider audience.
SEPTEMBER 2021
Rainier Planted
Our last variety of trees were planted, the White Rainier cherry trees.
APRIL 2022
STIHL Partnership
STIHL gifted us a variety of electric power tools which we put to great use around the orchard.
SEPTEMBER 2022
NZ0 Certification
Became NZ0 Certified. Forest Lodge Orchard became New Zealand's first certified fossil fuel free orchard.
JANUARY 2023
First Export Crop
Our first 100% electric, zero fossil fuel harvest and the first time exporting to Taiwan, plus to New Zealanders online.
APRIL 2023
Tractor Delivery
The Monarch Electric tractor gets delivered to Cromwell. Our orchard now has New Zealand's first 100% electric tractor.
JULY 2023
Monarch Open Day
The president of Monarch Tractors, Mark Schwager, flies over to visit Forest Lodge Orchard and launch the MKV tractor.
OCTOBER 2023
Country Calendar
Our orchard featured on an episode of Hyundai Country Calendar. A very proud TV feature on such a kiwi classic.
NOVEMBER 2023
Electric Foliage Sprayer Completed
TRS Wholesale in partnership with FMR built us a foliage sprayer that is powered off the Monarch Tractor.
DECEMBER 2023
Commercial Harvest
Our first commercial size harvest, selling greater volumes to Taiwan, China and to New Zealanders.
JULY 2024
New Batteries Commissioned
We installed 300 kWh of Panasonic batteries providing resilience to our set-up.
OCTOBER 2024
Electric Cherry Brand Launched
We changed the name of our famous cherries to match what everyone calls us… Electric Cherries.
DECEMBER 2024
Electric Cherry Juice
Partnering with Eden Orchards we launched our very own electric cherry juice.
2025
New Solar Array
Partnering with Panasonic and Think Solar, we installed a new solar array bringing total generation up to 150 MWh.
MAY 2025
Electric Hilux Conversion
Our 1989 Hilux, using a Nissan Leaf motor, is awaiting road certification.
THE ORCHARD IN NUMBERS
100%
Electric — zero fossil fuels on farm
60+
Tonnes of CO2 saved annually
11,342
Visitors to Forest Lodge Orchard
5
Premium cherry varieties
FROM THE FAN CLUB
Legends Who've Visited
I've been coming here now for maybe six months and I am just absolutely blown away every time I come back. I'm absolutely convinced that this is the answer for the entire country.
It's really exciting. It's not going to be very long before the entire New Zealand agricultural system is operating on electricity rather than expensive, dirty and imported diesel.
I've been blown away by how inspirational this farm is with respect to integration of technology and every electrification opportunity imaginable.
Come See For Yourself!
Walk the rows, get up close with the electric machinery, and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at electric cherry growing just outside Cromwell