Soil. People. Resilience.
Everything we grow begins below the surface. .
Who we are
Above & Below Collective brings together the Birchall and Schutt families — two generations working side by side across soil, people, and purpose.
From our home base at Waionehu Farm in the Lake Ōkaro catchment, we’re building a practical model for resilient farming and thriving communities.
Our collective includes:
• Waionehu Farm Ltd – a family dairy platform using HALTER collars, diverse pastures, and soil-first systems to grow healthy land and livestock.
• Schutt & Sons Transport Ltd – local experts in lime, compost, and biochar mixing and delivery, helping close the loop between soil and supply.
• LandGirl / Above & Below Coaching – supporting farmers, families, and teams to build resilience from the inside out — in land, business, and life.
Together, we’re redefining what it means to farm — growing resilience from the roots up.
Meet the Team
Every family story starts with people willing to roll up their sleeves.
The Above & Below Collective is built on the Birchall & Schutt families — generations who’ve poured their time, heart, and knowledge into the land, the animals, and the people around them.
With four generations of Birchalls in farming and three generations of Schutts in the transport industry, our roots run deep in resilience, stewardship, and service.
Together, we’re carrying forward that legacy while growing new ideas from strong foundations.
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The roots of the Above & Below story — their vision and hard work built the path we walk today.
Shane & June Birchall
Waionehu Farm Ltd – Legacy Stewards
Shane and June Birchall are the heart and foundation of Waionehu Farm Ltd, a family-run dairy operation nestled in the Lake Ōkaro catchment.
With four generations of Birchalls in farming, their story is one of dedication, adaptability, and quiet leadership — shaped by decades on the land and a deep respect for the animals and ecosystems that sustain it.
Over the years, Shane and June have guided Waionehu through the changing landscape of New Zealand dairying, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
From implementing HALTER technology to improve animal flow and staff wellbeing, to pioneering multi-species pastures that strengthen soils and build resilience, their focus has always been on balance — productive land, healthy stock, and a future their family can be proud of.
Their achievements reach beyond the paddock. They’ve nurtured a workplace culture that values learning and initiative, hosted field days to share practical knowledge, and opened their gates to school groups keen to experience real farming. Every improvement on the farm, from soil health to staff development, reflects their belief that resilience is built through care, connection, and consistency.
Today, as the next generation steps forward, Shane and June’s legacy runs through every part of the Above & Below Collective — a reminder that everything strong begins with deep roots and steady hands.
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The next generation of a proud transport legacy — keeping people, product, and purpose moving.
Daniel Schutt
Schutt & Sons Transport Ltd
Built on three generations of Schutts in the transport industry, Schutt & Sons Transport Ltd is more than a trucking business — it’s a story of family grit, craftsmanship, and pride in doing the job right.
From a single truck on rural backroads to a growing fleet supporting farms, civil projects, and rural communities, the Schutt family has always believed in hard work, honest service, and innovation on the move.
Daniel has carried forward that legacy while adapting to modern needs — combining mechanical know-how with practical problem-solving, and expanding the business to include bulk cartage, lime spreading, and biochar mixing for resilient land systems.
At the heart of it all is family. Daniel’s drive to build a business that supports both the community and future generations reflects the same values that have always defined the Schutt name — reliability, care for people and gear, and a willingness to help where it’s needed most.
Today, Schutt & Sons Transport stands as a pillar within the Above & Below Collective, connecting the land, the people, and the movement of ideas — ensuring that what’s grown from the soil can keep rolling forward for generations to come.
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Where farming, family, and coaching meet — helping others build resilience that lasts.
Megan Schutt (Birchall)
Above & Below Coaching
Raised on Waionehu Farm as the fourth generation of Birchalls in farming, Megan has always been deeply connected to the rhythms of land, animals, and people. Today she blends that heritage with forward-thinking leadership across the Above & Below Collective — guiding both the daily operations of the farm and the growth of its people.
As Operations Manager, Megan brings together practical systems, soil-first management, and people-focused teamwork. She’s helped shape Waionehu’s move to HALTER technology, diverse pastures, and a workplace culture that values learning, wellbeing, and shared purpose. Her approach combines data, intuition, and empathy — proving that strong teams build strong land.
Through Above & Below Coaching, Megan extends that same philosophy beyond the farm gate — working with families, staff, and business owners to strengthen communication, mindset, and resilience. Her sessions blend grounded farm knowledge with genuine human insight, helping others reconnect with what matters most.
At the core of everything she does is a belief that resilience starts from within — that thriving land, healthy teams, and fulfilled families all grow from the same roots: care, courage, and connection.
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Young hands, big ideas — starting small with hens, seedlings, and plenty of enthusiasm.
The Next Generation
Schutt Bros Veg, Egg & Flowers
The four Schutt brothers — Ryan, Charlie, Johnny, and Jack — are the newest hands and hearts in the Above & Below story. With the support of their parents and grandparents, they’re learning what it takes to turn ideas into action and work into something meaningful.
Together, they’re developing a business plan for Schutt Bros Veg, Egg & Flowers — their first venture as young growers and entrepreneurs. What began as a shared dream is now taking shape through newly bred laying hens, freshly planted vegetable beds, and a determination to learn how food, soil, and effort come together.
Their days are filled with collecting eggs, watering seedlings, and sketching out how they’ll sell what they grow. But more than that, they’re learning the values that run through the Birchall and Schutt families — teamwork, responsibility, and resilience.
Still at the beginning of their journey, the boys represent the future of the Collective: curious, capable, and ready to build something of their own, one seed — or one egg — at a time.
Our Services
Coaching for people who want to start on their resilience journey.
Meet our Coach - Megan Schutt (née Birchall)
Kia ora, I’m Megan Schutt — founder of Above & Below Collective, Operations Manager at Waionehu Farm in Waimangu, Rotorua, and co-owner of Schutt & Sons Transport Ltd. I’m also a proud mum of four busy boys who keep me grounded (and busy).
I graduated from Massey University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) and have worked across every level of the industry — from Farm Assistant to Operations Manager. Along the way, I’ve led and contributed to several key regional projects, including serving as Project Manager for the Okaro Catchment Lake Restoration Group (OCLRG) through a three-year Sustainable Farming Fund grant, and helping establish Project Rerewhakaaitu, which continues to link farmers, science, and water-quality outcomes across our catchment.
At Waionehu Farm, I’ve overseen a five-year transformation from a conventional dairy platform to a fully integrated resilient and regenerative system.
That work has led to:
A 25 % increase in pasture diversity and stronger year-round feed resilience.
Noticeably improved soil structure and worm counts (49 worms per spadeful in recent VSAs).
Reduced fertiliser inputs without loss of production.
Integration of biochar, compost, and HALTER technology for more efficient, low-stress management.
A thriving multi-species pasture and cropping programme across both dairy and young-stock blocks.
We’ve learned how to grow more grass with fewer inputs, build soil biology instead of buying it, and keep our people and animals healthier in the process.
My professional development has followed that same path — practical, evidence-based, and human-focused — through the Nicole Masters Soil Resilience Tour (2023), Nicole Masters MasterClass (2025), and the Integrity Soils SHIFT Coaching Programme, alongside EBS Business Coaching, where we’re applying regenerative thinking across all our family businesses.
What I offer as a coach is built on lived results — turning real paddocks, real budgets, and real people into regenerative systems that actually work.
My goal is to help others do the same: build resilience, balance, and connection between people, soil, and purpose.
Our Services
Coaching for people who want to start on their resilience journey.
You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin with. My coaching is designed for people who care deeply about their land, animals, or business but aren’t sure how to take the first steps toward change.
Together, we start where you are — grounding ideas in real-world practice, building confidence, and creating systems that last long after I’m gone.
The goal? To coach myself out of a job by helping you grow the skills, clarity, and resilience to lead your own journey.
Grounding Sessions — $1,450 + GST
A full-day (6–7 hour) on-farm coaching and system design session for working farms or multi-enterprise systems.
We’ll take a deep dive into your farm — from soil to livestock to business goals and strategy — and map out a clear, resilient path forward.
Together we’ll define your goals, identify leverage points, and outline practical, profitable actions you can take straight away.
Includes:
Pre-session discovery form and current system review
Full-day on-farm visit (6–7 hours, including lunch break)
Farm walk and discussion of soils, pasture, livestock, and cropping
Business and people systems review (optional focus area)
Values and goals alignment
Post-session summary report and next-step strategy
Optional soil or pasture sampling coordination (additional cost)
Perfect for owner-operators, farm managers, and family businesses wanting clarity, alignment, and direction.
Ongoing Coaching — from $250/hr + GST
Once your Grounding Session is complete, many clients choose to stay connected through ongoing coaching. These sessions keep your plan alive and adaptable — helping you make confident decisions as seasons, goals, and conditions shift.
Includes:
Regular online or on-farm sessions (monthly, seasonal, or as needed)
Accountability and goal tracking
Interpretation of new soil, pasture, or animal health results
Practical support for implementing regenerative practices
Optional written notes or action list after each session
Tailored packages and ongoing support rates are available for returning clients and multi-session plans.
This is about keeping momentum — steady, guided progress so the changes you start actually stick.
Small Block & Lifestyle Landholders — $950 + GST
A half-day (3–4 hour) on-site or online session designed for landholders under 10 hectares.
We’ll walk your block together, explore your goals, and create a regenerative layout that suits your life — whether that means growing food, grazing animals, building soil, or simply creating more ease and abundance.
Includes:
Pre-session discovery form and aerial map review
On-site or online session (3–4 hours)
Walk-through of existing layout: fencing, pasture, gardens, water, and shelter
Regenerative design ideas for soil, compost, garden, or small stock systems
Identification of “quick wins” and next steps
Post-session summary report with tailored recommendations
Optional soil testing or mapping add-on (additional cost)
Ideal for families, small farmers, and new landholders ready to make their block thrive.
One-Off Problem-Solving Session — $395 + GST (up to 90 minutes)
Sometimes you don’t need a full coaching plan — you just need clarity.
This focused session is designed to help you troubleshoot a specific issue, make a key decision, or sense-check your next step.
Examples:
Pasture or crop not performing — what’s actually going on?
Interpreting soil or herbage test results and knowing what to do next
Planning a new paddock, grazing rotation, or input change
Deciding whether to invest, rest, or re-seed
Includes:
Pre-session background form or document review
60–90 minute Zoom or phone consultation
Optional brief written summary of next steps
No long-term commitment — just a practical, focused discussion with clear direction at the end.
Community & School Sessions — No Charge
Sharing the story of soil, food, and connection.
We welcome school and community groups to visit Waionehu Farm and see what regenerative farming looks like in real life. These sessions are relaxed, hands-on, and designed to spark curiosity — not classroom lessons.
Groups can explore soil structure, roots, and pasture diversity; meet the animals; walk through our vegetable and multi-species paddocks; and learn how simple changes in farming can make a big difference to water, climate, and food quality.
It’s about building connection — between people, food, and the land beneath us.
What’s included:
1–2 hour on-farm visit and guided walk
Age-appropriate activities and Q&A
Regenerative bingo or observation worksheets (for school groups)
Time for kōrero, reflection, and questions
Cost:
Free — this is part of our commitment to community education and connection.
Best suited for:
Primary and secondary school groups
Environmental and sustainability clubs
Community or rural networks
Our Products
Practical tools for building healthier soils, animals, and communities.
Each product in the Above & Below range has grown out of real on-farm use — tools and materials we rely on across Waionehu Farm and the wider Schutt family businesses. From waste-stream biochar to soil blends and bedding supports, every product has a purpose: to close loops, reduce waste, and turn by-products into valuable resources that build strength from the ground up.
We also work alongside a network of trusted New Zealand companies — from fish fertiliser and humate suppliers to seed specialists and biological product developers — all focused on practical, results-driven solutions that help farmers lift resilience in their soils, systems, and stock.
Made locally. Farm tested. Focused on resilience.
CharGuard Bedding Support
CharGuard is a screened pine biochar sourced as a waste product from local timber mills — and it’s proving to be one of the simplest ways to lift calf health and reduce bedding costs. When mixed through traditional bedding at around 20% biochar to 80% woodchip or sawdust, it helps absorb moisture and ammonia, cutting down on odour and humidity in pens.
That means cleaner, drier bedding for longer, fewer flies, and a healthier environment for young stock — reducing the risk of respiratory stress and scours. Once cleaned out, the mix breaks down into a beautiful, nutrient-rich compost that’s full of stable carbon and slow-release nutrients ready to return to the paddock.
Why it’s unique:
CharGuard gives new purpose to a waste product, helping farmers turn a by-product of timber processing into a farm-ready, soil-building material. It doesn’t just manage waste better — it closes the loop between animal health, nutrient management, and soil resilience.
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100% pine biochar (screened, dust-reduced)
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Bulk truckload
1m2 Bags
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Can be blended on request with minerals or lime for composting or bedding applications.
Raw Screened Char
High-carbon foundation for lime, mineral, or compost blends.
Our Raw Screened Char is a pure pine biochar sourced as a waste product from local timber mills — lightly screened and dust-reduced to make it easy to handle and blend. Farmers are increasingly using it as the carbon backbone in lime mixes, creating a biological alternative to straight lime that improves soil structure, nutrient retention, and microbial activity.
When blended at 10–20% biochar to lime, it helps buffer acidity while locking calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals into a more stable form. The result is a gentler, longer-lasting soil amendment that supports biological function and carbon storage.
Why it’s unique:
Unlike activated or charged products, this raw char is simple and cost-effective — a clean, porous carbon source ready to be used your way. It’s a circular solution: a waste stream from timber transformed into a soil-building resource that improves nutrient efficiency and plant health.
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100% pine biochar (screened, dust-reduced)
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Bulk truckload
1m2 Bags
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Can be blended on request with minerals or lime for composting or bedding applications.
Contact Us
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