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A mission to develop a 32ha farm at Waihirere into a sustainable and semi permaculture operation has won Kay and Kees Weytmans the Gisborne Rural Environmental Award for 2003.

In 2006 Kees and Kay won the North Island Farm Forester of the Year Award. In that year we also won the Gisborne Registered Master Builders House of the Year Award.

The couple have a three stage plan in place to eventually turn their property into an outstanding, safe, eco tourism experience based on comfortable and spacious surroundings. The main Lodge was completed in June 2004 and offers a farmstay type facility.

Much work has been put in to plant native trees for bees and birds, avocados and other species, set up a deer unit, establish a highland cattle stud, increase the numbers of bee hives and harvest poplars and other species for fencing and retaining walls. A few emus are also kept and a flock of sheep kept by Kay's parents Ian and Jean McMillan are used to keep the pasture in trim while new plantings of trees are still young. The plan is to provide the beef, venison, honey, fruit and vegetables for food supplies and sell the surplus at the Gisborne Farmers Market. Their honey, venison and venison salami  is popular throughout Gisborne.

Knapdale Farm also has a large 1ha dam which encourages wildlife and eels. Springs are scattered around the farm ensuring a good supply of water and enabling deer to undertake their favorite pastime - wallowing.

A forestry graduate from the Netherlands, Kees met Kay in Nepal and they arrived home in Gisborne in 1987. He now runs Forest Measurement Ltd, a forestry consultant and contracting business. Both have always had the same philosophies. He believes the goal to grow one's own food is in every man's heart and at Knapdale Farm, its privacy and peace in which to do so, are a complete luxury.