Kiwi farmers don’t deserve the flack.
Some of us at Agriscore are farmers, and all of us work alongside farmers – every one of them a competent operator working hard to hand their land down, in good shape, to the next generation. We look forward to chatting with you over a cuppa about how we can make your operation easier and more enjoyable.
Charles Hyland
Charles grew up on a dairy and dry stock farm in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. From an early age, he wanted to understand how some farms were more productive than others and how agriculture affects water quality.
He completed a 2-year internship with the USDA before being hired as a soil biogeochemistry research scientist at Cornell University in 2002. During his 10 years at Cornell he spearheaded numerous research projects to further the scientific understanding of farm nutrient cycling and carbon dynamics, as well as earning a bachelor’s degree in Crop and Soil Sciences and a master’s degree in Soil Science with minors in Conservation and Sustainable Development and Science Education.
Charles draws from multiple disciplines to gain practical insights into complex problems. He's a founding member of the International Biochar Initiative, an alumnus of the Cornell Soil Health Laboratory, and his academic publications are highly regarded. His research career spans field trials, greenhouse trials, chemistry, microbiology and farm extension work, as well as groundbreaking analysis of dairy farm soils in a nuclear particle accelerator.
Since moving to New Zealand in 2012, Charles has worked directly with farmers on innovative solutions to benefit the sector and society. He has consulted on a variety of agricultural subjects, with a consistent focus on regulatory compliance and economic productivity.
Agriscore was founded in response to the challenges facing New Zealand’s largest industry. Over the past 10 years, they have developed, refined, and commercialized a system that empowers farmers with cutting edge science in an easy to understand package, bringing world-leading science to individual farms.
Sally McFarlane
Sally grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Hamilton in a family that built a name in agricultural contracting, so she’s had a lifetime observing how farming and agricultural practices – and pressures – have changed over the years.
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Like most of us who grew up on a farm, Sally’s family ate largely from what they produced on the land – homegrown meat and milk, and produce from the vegetable garden and small orchard. In response to health challenges, Sally immersed herself in learning about the relationship between soil and nutrition, and the impact of the food we eat on the health of our families, communities and society as a whole.
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With a Diploma in Health Science, Sally is a passionate advocate for farming practices that are ethically and ecologically sound, and that ensure that future generations are able to enjoy nutritional food in a flourishing environment. When she's not helping Agriscore clients optimise the health and compliance of their farm land systems Sally's likely hanging out with family and friends, enjoying a beautiful beach, forest or farm walk, or playing badminton.
Mel McFarlane
Mel grew up on a dairy farm in the Waikato where she went on to raise her own family. She also worked in the family agricultural business for 18 years, occupying various roles in customer service and financial management before eventually taking over operations.
Mel encountered Agriscore when the business sought improvements in productivity, cost efficiencies and environmental outcomes. Impressed with the science behind Agriscore's programmes, and the reassurance they offer an increasingly impact conscious market – the McFarlane family joined forces with Agriscore’s founders to make this tool more widely available to Kiwi farmers.
Mel brought the skills and experience she gained in the family business to her role in Agriscore, as Business / Health & Safety Manager. With her positive outlook in life and bubbly personality, Mel enjoys building relationships and networks that provide mutual benefits. In her spare time she enjoys socialising with friends and family, pilates and yoga, fishing and lazing at the beach.