Creative Junction Magazine June 16th 2017 | Page 13

CREATIVE JUNCTION
PAGE 11
“Wealth is the ability to fully experience life”
HENRY DAVID THOREAU
Anthony and Lisa Uphof have turned the term
‘black sheep’ on its head. They stand out from
the crowd and are doing things differently ALL
for the very best reasons – to improve the en-
vironment and outcome for future generations.
Their 20 acre country homestead at Black
Sheep Farm, Waipu offers so much more than
just a place to stay. It’s a home based business
founded on the principles of permaculture to
provide a service, products and experiences
that develop a meaningful connection between
people and their environment.
They’ve spent the past 7 years growing into
their new lives, learning from their own obser-
vations of the environment to gain a deeper un-
derstanding and connection to nature. Their
overall objective is to preserve the ecology; to
work in harmony with the cycle of life, avoid de-
pletion of natural resources and reduce waste.
They are a convivial couple who met on the oth-
er side of the world 23 years ago while working
in the marine industry. Anthony’s background is
in structural engineering while Lisa’s expertise
is administration and organising events. Run-
ning the farm is a family affair they share with
their 8 and 12 year old daughters, Mirabella and
Gabriella. Together they tend to the animals,
landscape, plant, pickle, preserve and prepare
culinary delights from the produce they grow.
Guests enjoy the organic food and opportunity
to become part of the extended family and help
out in the garden or kitchen if they want.
“We all learn from each other. It’s important to
be a part of something you’ve create d to appre-
ciate its true value.
It can be frustrating at times when things don’t
work out, but when you work with the problem
and find your own answers it can be deeply
satisfying. You can’t buy that kind of reward.
Wealth is so much more than money and mate-
rial gain.”
The summer months are hectic, but during the
winter Anthony and Lisa integrate their love
of music, culture and art by putting on events
to entertain the locals, which is how I met the
Italian pianist Flavio Villani. The homestead
is more than a business. It’s a way of life that
connects people from all over the world - a cre-
ative junction where friendships are forged and
nuggets of wisdom are exchanged.