About Us - Coles Farms

Our Team

Who is Coles Farms?

Coles Farms is located alongside State Highway One at Orari, South Canterbury – a short half hour drive from both Timaru and Ashburton. Owned by Aaron and Frances Coles, who have three young daughters, the business has been in operation for almost 20 years. Aaron comes from a rural background and oversees all the day-to-day operations on farm, while Frances brings skills from her previous career as a journalist to the administration of the business. Starting out as a farm worker on a local dairy farm, Aaron progressed through management to sharemilking, before he and Frances purchased their home farm, Barkers Crossing, in 2004. This has become the foundation stone of a business that has since grown to include an involvement with four farms and employs about 20 people.

The Owners

Aaron Coles

Over recent years Aaron’s role in the business has evolved from full-time hands-on farming to one which now incorporates more oversight of our farm managers and other key staff. He also enjoys spending time working with the stock on our run-off properties. When he gets the chance he encourages others to follow their dreams of progression through ventures such as judging the Dairy Industry Awards, setting up an Agricultural Scholarship at the local high school, and speaking to various groups and conferences. He has also spent many years involved with the local rugby scene and has twice completed the Central South Island Charity Bike Ride.

Frances Coles

While not from an agricultural background, Frances has become passionate about the dairy industry. She leads a team of three in the Coles Farms office, overseeing the financial, HR, H&S, compliance and administrative duties required of a large scale agricultural business. When not busy with her and Aaron’s three young daughters, she has also been involved with various community and industry groups. She spent five years as convenor of the South Canterbury Dairy Women’s Network group and has recently joined the Geraldine Primary School Board of Trustees. She enjoys the chance to catch up with friends whenever she can and loves spending summer days boating.