Rod Philip has farmed just north of Palmerston all his life on land his family has owned since 1923. Rod took over from his parents in 1980 and got into growing asparagus around this time when the government was encouraging farmers to diversify away from sheep farming.
Palmerston Asparagus developed over the decades undertaking mostly local gate sales plus supplying Otago restaurants and businesses. For a period exports were sent to Japan and supplies to a canning factory in Central Otago.
Over the past 15 years Rod has been a highly sought-after seasonal vendor of quality fresh asparagus at the Market, and become renowned as the “The Asparagus Man”.
Rod is now a valued member of the Trust for his experience in business and his valuable first-hand experience as a vendor at the Market.
