Midgarden is a small organic farming enterprise that is pushed forward by our values. Caring for the soil, the world around us, and the people in our community, keeps us doing what we love to do.
We are based in Ōtautahi/Christchurch. We currently grow various chili pepper varieties as our primary crop. Some you’ll have heard of, others maybe not. As we grow we hope to add small scale cereal crops for use in brewing and distilling, as well as processing flour, grains and feed. Our range and interests are constantly growing and developing, as we find new rabbit holes to dive down and explore.
BACKGROUND – Where we have come from
The Beginning – Bear developed a love of gardening from his grandmother, who taught him much of what he knew. Which he then promptly forgot for 20 years… until Covid happened. During lockdown, he started to grow and experiment with chilli peppers. And what started as a small interest quickly grew into an obsession. Scott then enrolled in study at the BHU Organics College and expanded his horticultural knowledge and his desire to grow in sustainable ways. This included a specific research project on the effects of degradation of rubber tyres on soil, by growing chilli peppers in them.
The Boost – Amy was intrigued by Bear’s chilli growing project and kept asking questions. Before long her own horticultural interests and knowledge had her working alongside Bear. A casual remark one day about becoming business partners stuck with her, and it didn’t take much to push this idea into fruition.
The Business – starting out with selling wholesale to a local produce store, it quickly became apparent that there is a market for the kinds of organic, flavourful, chilli peppers that Midgarden specialises in. Fuelled by this, Midgarden is expanding to meet market demand and hopes to have land to call home very soon.
