If Country Calendar calls, make a date

• Published date: 20 June 2022
• Publication title: Bush Telegraph

In fact, when Country Calendar contacted Blair “Blocka” Drysdale three years ago, he turned the offer down

“When we first got approached … I was really anxious and nervous about doing it,” he told The Country’s Jamie Mackay.

“Initially we said no for that reason — I didn’t really want to do it at the time.”

Drysdale and his wife Jody are third-generation farmers on a 320-hectare mixed cropping and livestock farm in Balfour.

In 2018 they diversified by including hemp in their farming operation and now sell a range of products through their own website, hopefieldhemp.co.nz.

Apart from being anxious when the show initially contacted him, Drysdale also thought it was too early for the Country Calendar spotlight to shine on his hemp venture.

“I really was prepared for complete and utter failure.”

However, he eventually changed his mind and ended up finding the experience with the “awesome crew” extremely rewarding.

“The safest set of hands you can ever find is the Country Calendar crew.”

Drysdale was now keen for other farmers to answer the Country Calendar call.

“There’s no need for that anxiety and nervousness when they approach you. They see something in you and what you’re doing [that] you may not see yourself.

“I just want to encourage anyone that gets approached — don’t shut the door straight away. Have a good think about it. Actually — just say yes and get on and do...