Connect & Learn + Share Table

Farming Zone 0: Growing Abundance Inside Our Homes

presented by Debbie Bassingthwaighte

Monday 20 October 2025

6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

at Level 3 Meeting Rooms, Toowoomba City Library, Corner of Herries and Victoria Streets, Toowoomba, QLD 4350

or online via Zoom

You'll receive the Zoom link after you book.

This event is organised by Permaculture Toowoomba Inc.

Bookings are Essential

Please book so we have your contact details and know how many will be attending.

What We'll Do

6.30 pm - Learn - Farming Zone 0: Growing Abundance Inside Our Homes

Simple, everyday ways to sprout, ferment, preserve, and nurture abundance.

Presented by Debbie Bassingthwaighte

Did you know your home is a farm waiting to flourish? In this practical session, Debbie will share creative ways to grow, sprout, brew, preserve, and reduce waste, right in your own kitchen. Join us and discover how to farm your Zone 0.

What We'll Learn

When we think about permaculture, we often picture lush gardens, orchards, and food forests, but the very heart of our system begins in Zone 0: our homes. This is where our daily choices shape how we live, eat, and create, and it’s the perfect place to start growing abundance and reducing waste.

In this practical session, Debbie will share creative ways to “farm” Zone 0. No matter where we live (in a unit, a suburban block, or a rambling homestead), we all have a Zone 0 to nurture. Our kitchens can become vibrant micro-farms where we:

sprout, brew, and ferment
preserve, dehydrate, and bake
blend, create, and reduce waste
grow herbs and greens right on the bench
save seeds and recycle resource.

You’ll leave with practical tips and ideas to put into practice straight away in your own home.

Join us as we explore how the heart of permaculture begins in the heart of our homes.

About our Presenter – Debbie Bassingthwaighte

Debbie is an educator, writer, and designer who is passionate about helping people live more connected, sustainable, and abundant lives. She’s also the founding president of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. and the voice behind Nurtured Life.

At home, Debbie’s kitchen is her “Zone 0 micro-farm,” where she experiments with sprouting, fermenting, preserving, and creating nourishing food. Through her website, blog and community work, Debbie shares practical skills and living wisdom to inspire others to grow, make, and live with abundance through permaculture.

Website: https://nurturedlife.com.au

Blog: https://nurturedlife.com.au/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NurturedLifeDeb/

Nurture Notes Newsletter: https://nurturedlife.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3f277ceab14da48202425cd8d&id=ff4735fde7

7.45 pm – Connect – Light Supper (provided) and Share Table

A light supper will be served (including Gluten Free and Vegan options).

Please bring your own KeepCup or mug so we can reduce waste.

Sharing of produce on the Share Table opens after the presentation to allow plenty of time for everyone to place their donations, and then allow you to browse, connect and make your selections during supper

Parking

Free off-street parking is available under the library (enter from Victoria Street).

Access

The venue has access for wheelchairs, walking frames, and strollers as needed. Everyone is welcome (including children with parental supervision).

We hope we see you there!

What to Bring

KeepCup or similar for your drink at supper (we're trying to minimise waste)
Donations of surplus produce for the Share Table

Share Table

Do you have surplus?

We encourage you to bring your surplus produce, plants, seeds, books, craft supplies, and resources to share with others at our events.

Some ideas of what you could bring include – fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey, milk, jams, pickles, preserves, jars, ferments, starters, SCOBYs, seeds, plants, seedlings, cuttings, tubers, pots, tools, gardening magazines, permaculture books, recipes, patterns, manure, coffee grounds, compost additives, worms, mealworms, wool, fabric, craft supplies, soap, natural cleaning products, plastic alternatives, produce bags – the list is extensive.

Please bring whatever you can and then take home whatever you need within our culture of generosity and free sharing.

Cost

Financial Members of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. - Free
First-time Visitors to a Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. Event - $10 per person
Non-Members - $20 per person
Children attending with an Adult - Free (but please book so we know the total numbers)

Membership 2025

Annual Membership of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. is due by 31 December each year. It's only $50 per person or $40 for a second or subsequent adult living in the same home. It's reduced price after 30 June for 1/2 year membership.

Financial Members can attend events and workshops during the year at no cost.

You can pay your membership for 2025 at checkout when you book to attend this event.

Membership forms will be available at the event for anyone wishing to join, or available here for download at http://www.permaculturetoowoomba.com.au/membership/