# Farmy Army

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Volunteer organisation in New Zealand

The **Farmy Army** is a group of farmers in New Zealand co-ordinated by the [Federated Farmers](/source/Federated_Farmers) who volunteer to assist recovery after natural disasters. It formed after the [2010 Canterbury earthquake](/source/2010_Canterbury_earthquake) and has also assisted the recovery after the [2011 Christchurch earthquake](/source/2011_Christchurch_earthquake), [2016 Kaikōura earthquake](/source/2016_Kaik%C5%8Dura_earthquake) and 2023's [Cyclone Gabrielle](/source/Cyclone_Gabrielle).

## History

The Farmy Army formed after the September [2010 Canterbury earthquake](/source/2010_Canterbury_earthquake) and is co-ordinated by [Federated Farmers](/source/Federated_Farmers).[1] The name Farmy Army was [trademarked](/source/Trademark) in 2011.[2]

## Events

### 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquakes

See also: [2010 Canterbury earthquake](/source/2010_Canterbury_earthquake) and [2011 Christchurch earthquake](/source/2011_Christchurch_earthquake)

The Farmy Army was headquartered at the Canterbury Agricultural Park during the Canterbury earthquake cleanup.[1] They supplied and used over 100 pieces of machinery, including diggers, tipping trucks[3] trailers and loaders. The Farmy Army also provided meat and wool as part of a "meat the needs of Christchurch" campaign, and with their kitchen they provided about 2,500 hot meals for members of the public.[1] By May 2011, over 4,500 people had contributed to the clearing of over 100,000 cubic metres of [liquefaction](/source/Liquefaction) sludge. The Farmy Army worked with the [Christchurch City Council](/source/Christchurch_City_Council), [Civil Defence](/source/Civil_Defence_(New_Zealand)) and the company [Fulton Hogan](/source/Fulton_Hogan).[2] The Farmy Army and [Student Volunteer Army](/source/Student_Volunteer_Army) also helped clear liquefaction after the [June 2011 Christchurch earthquake](/source/June_2011_Christchurch_earthquake).[3]

In 2013 John Hartnell, who co-ordinated the liquefaction cleanup as well as the delivery and making of food after the 2011 earthquake, was made a member of the [New Zealand Order of Merit](/source/New_Zealand_Order_of_Merit) for services to the community and beekeeping.[4]

### 2016 Kaikōura earthquake

See also: [2016 Kaikōura earthquake](/source/2016_Kaik%C5%8Dura_earthquake)

In response to the [2016 Kaikōura earthquake](/source/2016_Kaik%C5%8Dura_earthquake), a "virtual Farmy Army" was created. A phone number, 0800FARMING, was set up to pair up the people in need of help with the people who wanted to offer help.[5][6]

### 2020 Southland floods

The Farmy Army helped with the recovery after flooding in [Southland](/source/Southland_Region) occurred in 2020.[7]

### Cyclone Gabrielle

See also: [Cyclone Gabrielle](/source/Cyclone_Gabrielle)

After 2023's [Cyclone Gabrielle](/source/Cyclone_Gabrielle), the Farmy Army was a partner in the Commence the Re-Fence campaign along with [CNH](/source/CNH_Industrial) and the agriculture company Stevenson & Taylor.[8] It fixed and replaced fences in farms, orchards, vineyards and [lifestyle blocks](/source/Lifestyle_block) that were damaged or destroyed by the cyclone.[8][9] The service ended in May 2024 and gave away the two tractors that were used in the campaign.[10] In 2024 during the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards, Alastair Macgregor was given the Rural Hero of the Year award for his work with the Farmy Army on the recovery after spending over 200 hours working on the fences in [Tutira](/source/Tutira) and [Waipukurau](/source/Waipukurau).[11]

Other recovery work done by the Farmy Army involved planting trees and general cleanup. In March 2023, over 200 volunteers helped with the recovery.[12]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_1-2) Moore, Chris (2011). *Earthquake! Christchurch, New Zealand, 22 February 2011*. Fairfax Media (Firm). Auckland, N.Z: Random House. pp. 121, 124. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-86979-699-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-86979-699-0).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_2-1) ["Farmy Army shows initiative"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/farmy-army-shows-initiative/WZTKMXMT4OYG5OMYWRAS4T4W4M/). *[Northern Advocate](/source/Northern_Advocate)*. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_3-1) ["Farmy Army on patrol"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5164307/Farmy-Army-on-patrol). *[Sunday Star Times](/source/Sunday_Star_Times)*. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["'Farmy Army' leader honoured for quake aid"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/farmy-army-leader-honoured-for-quake-aid/J7DKVJKJT3SBNGDOVINEMCGFAU/). *[APNZ](/source/APNZ)*. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Virtual Farmy Army helps quake recovery"](https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/news/virtual-farmy-army-helps-quake-recovery/). *www.farmersweekly.co.nz*. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Fed Farmers 'virtual farmy army' helpline offers assistance after earthquakes"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/fed-farmers-virtual-farmy-army-helpline-offers-assistance-after-earthquakes/ZOF7K2F5SSJIDABU327J7TDEZA/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["'Farmy Army' helps flood-affected Southland farmers"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/farmy-army-helps-flood-affected-southland-farmers/7YNN6BRT4H2XFDLGHE2JDNEBCE/). *[Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times)*. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_8-1) ["Farmy Army to head up Coast as re-fence campaign steps up a gear"](https://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/news/farmy-army-steps-up-to-help-out-with-commence-the-re-fence-service). *[The Gisborne Herald](/source/The_Gisborne_Herald)*. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Recycled posts boost cyclone recovery"](https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/farm-management/recycled-posts-boost-cyclone-recovery/). *www.farmersweekly.co.nz*. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:3_10-0)** ["Commence the Re-Fence to give away tractors used to help in cyclone recovery"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/commence-the-re-fence-to-give-away-tractors-used-to-help-in-cyclone-recovery/BCSZOS4WDNAQ5MKSEPQMDANTKA/). *[Hawkes Bay Today](/source/Hawkes_Bay_Today)*. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Primary Industries New Zealand Awards 2024: Rural heroes, innovators and champions recognised"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/primary-industries-new-zealand-awards-2024-rural-heroes-innovators-and-champions-recognised/WQ6MVKKG7RAXFH6EODANVV5SCY/). 3 July 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Farmy Army: a light in the dark, shovel at the ready"](https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/people/farmy-army-a-light-in-the-dark-shovel-at-the-ready/). *www.farmersweekly.co.nz*. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

v t e Christchurch earthquakes Earthquakes Located in or near Christchurch June 1869 September 2010 Boxing Day 2010 February 2011 June 2011 December 2011 February 2016 Located elsewhere causing damage in Christchurch 1855 Wairarapa 1881 Castle Hill 1888 North Canterbury 1901 Cheviot 1922 Motunau 2016 Kaikōura Buildings Lost Arthur Young House Christchurch Bus Exchange Christchurch Central Library Christchurch Convention Centre Centra Building Crowne Plaza The Civic Clarendon Tower Cranmer Centre Cranmer Court CTV Building Durham Street Methodist Church Excelsior Hotel Fisher's Building Guthrey Centre Hallensteins Building Hornby Clocktower Hotel Grand Chancellor Linwood House Lyttelton Borough Council Chambers Lyttelton Road Tunnel Administration Building Lyttelton Times Building Majestic Theatre Manchester Courts Oxford Terrace Baptist Church PGC Building PricewaterhouseCoopers (Seagull Pit) Press Building Regent Theatre Sevicke Jones Building St John's Church St Luke's Church St Paul's Church Warner's Hotel Weston House Westpac Canterbury Centre Wharetiki House Demolition Implosion of Radio Network House Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Central Police Station Lancaster Park Music Centre of Christchurch Twinkle Toes Damaged with uncertain future Antonio Hall Odeon Theatre Remaining Antigua Boat Sheds Arts Centre (Dux de Lux, Registry Building) Bridge of Remembrance Canterbury Club Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings Chief Post Office Christchurch Art Gallery Christ Church Cathedral Christchurch Club St Michael Church Citizens' War Memorial City Mall Club Tower Curator's House Distinction Christchurch Hotel Dorset Street Flats Edmonds Band Rotunda Forsyth Barr Building Godley Statue Isaac Theatre Royal Knox Church McDougall Art Gallery McLean's Mansion McKenzie & Willis Store Midland Club Building New Brighton Pier New Regent Street Lyttelton Timeball Station Old Government Building Our City Peterborough Centre Public Trust Building Riccarton House Rolleston Statue Scott Statue Shand's Emporium Sign of the Kiwi St Saviour's Chapel Town Hall Trinity Congregational Church Victoria Clock Tower Victoria Mansions Worcester Chambers New 151 Cambridge Terrace 185 empty chairs (memorial) Cardboard Cathedral Christchurch Catholic Cathedral Re:START Riverside Market Lists historic places tall buildings Land Categories Central City Red Zone Residential red zone (East Lake) TC3 Suburbs worst affected Central City Avonside Avondale Dallington Bexley Southshore Brooklands Kaiapoi People Associated with earthquakes Ann Brower Gerry Brownlee Kaila Colbin Clayton Cosgrove Ruth Dyson Antony Gough John Hamilton Andrew Holden Warwick Isaacs Sam Johnson André Lovatt Neil MacLean Tony Marryatt John Ombler Bob Parker Nigel Priestley Mark Quigley Alan Reay Ken Ring Gerald Shirtcliff Roger Sutton Deon Swiggs Mairehe Louise Tankersley Coralie Winn Died in earthquake Jo Giles Amanda Hooper Recovery Plan (1) The Frame (Margaret Mahy Playground) (2) Te Pae Convention Centre (3) Christchurch Stadium (4) Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre (5) Christchurch Bus Interchange (6) Avon River Precinct (7) Te Puna Ahurea Cultural Centre (8) The Square (9) Performing Arts Precinct (10) Justice and Emergency Services Precinct (11) Health Precinct (12) Cricket Oval (13) Residential Demonstration Project (14) Tūranga (library) (15) Innovation Precinct (16) Retail Precinct Earthquake National Memorial Organisations Public sector CCDU CERA Christchurch City Council Civil Defence Ōtākaro Limited Regenerate Christchurch SCIRT Selwyn District Council Waimakariri District Council Private and voluntary sector Farmy Army Gap Filler Greening the Rubble Ministry of Awesome Student Volunteer Army The Press Services Christchurch Recovery Map Memorials and services for the Canterbury earthquakes The Shuttle Legislation Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Act 2010 Canterbury Earthquake Commemoration Day Act 2011 Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 Commission of Inquiry Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission Mark Cooper (chair) Ron Carter (commissioner) Richard Fenwick (commissioner)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Farmy Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmy_Army) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmy_Army?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.