A Return to Our Roots

​

​

Our Story:

 At Verdo’s Pellets & Grain Ltd. we’re not just in the business of animal feed—we’re carrying forward a heritage of farming and self-sufficiency that runs deep in our families.

 

 I, Karine, was born on a sheep farm in Provence, South of France, run by my parents, who took over from my grandparents. Both sides of my family were farmers. My father’s family had deep French farming roots, while my mother’s family came from Spain, immigrating to France in 1958 during the Franco dictatorship. My grandmother, great-grandmother, and three children crossed the Pyrenees on foot, carrying only two suitcases, and built a new life working on a farm in Bordeaux.

My father, an ex-Navy man and mechanical engineer, eventually took over the family farm, while my mother worked as an administration manager for a farm cooperative. I was raised in a world where everything was grown, raised, and made on the farm—sheep, cereals (maize, wheat, barley), vegetables, fruit, and livestock. We had milking cows, pigs, rabbits, poultry, working dogs, and even a stallion and ponies.

Every animal was fed with our own farm-grown feed, something I learned to prepare alongside my grandparents, Antoine and Odette. We were almost entirely self-sufficient, and I still remember my first visit to a supermarket in 1984—I was 11 years old and hated it! However, by the 1990s, economic crises and personal hardships brought an end to my family’s farm. I pursued my education in a boarding school run by nuns before earning a B.I.H.M. diploma in Hospitality, specializing in Michelin-starred restaurant cheffing. During my studies, I met my husband, Christian.

 

 Christian was also born in Provence, into a family of orchard farmers. His father was French, and his late mother, Italian (from Piedmont), immigrated to France during World War II, forced to flee due to his grandfather’s involvement in the Resistance..

 In the 1980s, Christian’s father transitioned from fruit farming to winemaking, building a successful family winery from the ground up. Christian was raised in this world, becoming a winemaker and international sales expert, working alongside his father for 18 years.

 Like me, Christian grew up with a deep respect for traditional, sustainable farming—his family always grew their own vegetables, raised poultry, and preserved as much as they could.

In 2009, we made the choice to move to New Zealand, gaining permanent residency in 2013 and citizenship in 2019. Our journey, experiences, and values led us to create Verdo’s Pellets & Grain Ltd.—a return to our roots.

 

 Why We Do What We Do:

 Verdo’s isn’t just a business; it’s an homage to my grandfather and all the farmers before us. It’s a commitment to the values we grew up with—quality, sustainability, and respect for the land. 

     •     Locally Sourced – We use only South Island ingredients, supporting local farmers and ensuring fresh, high-quality feed.

      •     Traditional & Sustainable – Our feed is GMO-free, medicine-free, and MPI-accredited, just like our grandparents used to make.

      •     Eco-Friendly – We package our products in paper bags, minimizing environmental impact while staying true to our values

. Where to Find Us:

 We are based in Canvastown, Marlborough.

 Join us in keeping traditional, natural farming alive!