Nancy and Antony Young are the owners of Noho Farm.
Nancy comes from a family that has spent the past fifty years in the Horowhenua region. She grew up on her parents market garden on Kimberley Road, attended School in Levin. She met Antony in Wellington who worked for an advertising firm whose job took them and their three children overseas. We were “living the dream,” said Antony, “but we felt it was time to come home.” So after 21 years abroad, Antony traded in an office in Manhattan, packed away a wardrobe full of dark suits, disconnected his email and put an end a three hour daily commute to move back home and set up Noho Farm. Antony explains, “in advertising you never actually physically make anything. So the idea of literally rolling up our sleeves, getting our hands dirty to grow and make stuff was invigorating.” He added, “in all my years in the ad business I learnt that making great products people enjoy is the most powerful advertising you can have.” The Young’s admit they have a romantic view of the region, a result of some fond childhood memories and family ties. But it was the potential as a destination for people like them wanting a better quality of life and living, an emerging local economy and a warm community that excited them with possibilities. “Our friends in New York are jealous!” |