Our Story
Farm to food. We strive to provide good, clean food for your family
Welcome to Three Oaks Organic
I’m David O’Donnell, caretaker and owner of Three Oaks Organic Farm. We are ideally situated 10 minutes west of Palmerston North with stunning panoramic views of the Tararua and Ruahine ranges and magnificent sunrises. I grew up on this farm and after a time, I returned and converted the farm to USDA NOP Organic Standard.
In 2018 Teresa Yee joined the team as Operations Manager, overseeing all agri-food processes for the products made on-site. We built a small processing plant at Three Oaks and are now a farm direct producer and take pride in having complete quality management from paddock to plate.
Four seasons
Seasonal farming
Our seasonal milk is produced from our cows that graze on fresh grass throughout the during the Summer. It has a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and beta-carotene than conventional milk. Seasonal milk is also richer in flavour and creamier in texture along with its health benefits and taste.
Pasture management for Spring harvest
Autumn milk has a distinctive flavour and colour, due to the changes in the grass composition and quality in the Autumn. It’s rich in beta-carotene, which gives it a golden hue and a slightly sweet taste. Autumn milk is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have various health benefits. Our focus on the farm is on pasture management, increase preperation for Spring pasture. Our Autumn season finishes around MID May as we close our retail production over the Winter season to give the girls and farm a rest.
Farm maintenance & rest for the girls
This year the 2025 Winter season will start in around the 16th of MAY. Our long list of farm maintainance starts while the girls rest and farm reconditions. Mending fences and testing soil, shed maintenance and our manufacturing space is all getting some attention this Winter. We’ll also be re-engaging with our retail and Depot partners and looking at ways we can service our products more efficiently….. then start preparing for the new season. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
Spring means revival at Three Oaks
Our Spring milk is produced from our cows that have been grazing on fresh grass and hay supplement over Winter. The herd is at its best as they are well rested after Winter and fed optimum nutritional Spring feed. Spring milk is one of the most popular varieties of seasonal milk, as it has a rich and creamy taste, a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, and great for making cheese and yogurt due to its more rounded favour. Three oaks is thriving this time of year after the girls and farm have had a rest.
Meet your Manawatu milky folk
Community lies at the heart of our ethos. We are deeply committed to fostering a strong bond with the local Manawatu region, recognising the significance of collaboration and shared values. Our farm isn’t just a source of Organic Raw Milk; it’s a thriving hub where we actively engage with our neighbours. We believe in practising what we preach, implementing regenerative farming and bio-dynamic practices that contribute positively to our local ecosystem. By placing the community first and participating in sustainable and ethical farming practices, we not only provide nourishing food but also contribute to the vitality of the Manawatu region we call home.
Meet your Manawatu milky folk
Community lies at the heart of our ethos. We are deeply committed to fostering a strong bond with the local Manawatu region, recognising the significance of collaboration and shared values. Our farm isn’t just a source of Organic Raw Milk; it’s a thriving hub where we actively engage with our neighbours.
By placing the community first and participating in sustainable and ethical farming practices, we not only provide nourishing food but also contribute to the vitality of the Manawatu region we call home.
Our Products
Three Oaks Organic is MPI registered for the sale of organic raw milk, pasteurised whole milk and pot set yoghurt. In addition to these products, we also provide access to organic free-range eggs, honey and sourdough from our ‘Farm direct partners’.
Our goal is to provide the best quality of nutritionally dense products using sustainable agricultural practices. Ultimately, the benefits of supporting a farm direct producer like ourselves are knowing the origins of your food choices and the commitment to providing healthy food to our community.
Our farm is AsureQuality USDA NOP certified
Asurequality USDA NOP certification is confirmation that our farm has been audited within the strict standards set by the USDA’s National Organic Program.
We believe that providing clean, organic, and safe food for our customers is not just our responsibility but our obligation as caretakers of this land.
Circular Economy Business Model
Our packaging partners are chosen on the basis that their reputation is dependable, made in NZ and fit our circular business model. Our eco-ethos extends beyond our business practices and includes local like-minded partnerships.
Overall, our philosophy is grounded in the belief that we have a responsibility to protect our local economy and cycle of use where possible supporting a more sustainable NZ.
Our choice not to use glass bottles is due to the fact that there is no bottling plant here in NZ. Carbon miles are stacked with the importation of glass packaging along with the non-recyclable associated plastics to protect the glass.
Our goal is to minimise the waste from our milk bottles as best can. We work with two kiwi companies to recycle our milk bottles into fence posts we can use on the farm:
2LP are a small but committed team based in Levin, Horowhenua. They are plastic recyclers and manufacturers who take waste plastic from local businesses like Three Oaks. Turning it into useful products.
Future Post diverts as much plastic as they can from New Zealand’s landfills. Recycling it into enduring, sustainable, and environmentally beneficial fence post products.
Empty Bottles
We collect your empty milk bottles from the collection depots, when we deliver a new order, or any that you return to the Farmgate shop.
Plastic Recycling
The waste plastic is ground into a consistent form. The blended plastic is UV stabilised and extruded into posts.
Finished Posts
The finished posts are as strong as a timber post. They can be post-driven, cut, drilled, nailed, screwed, bolted and stapled. Perfect for our fencing needs.
