Join Garry and Ali Foster and friends for one in our series of Toru Trail events at the old Matahiwi School to explore their 2.4 acre property near Masterton. Hear about their experiences using “crop circles”, no dig gardening, and Food Forest methods.

- Can we produce enough fresh organic food to feed 3 households while also increasing habitat and biodiversity?

- Can three diverse households live and co-operate on the same property?

- Can the learnings from practicing permaculture be taken out into the local community to help create resilience?

Hear about what’s working and what is still a work in progress.

After a welcome at the gate and our usual circle for introductions in the old Matahiwi School we will head outside to explore the property. We will be looking at ways that permaculture principles are being applied, how the natural environment is improving and how this small community works.

There will be opportunities to learn through hands on activities such as compost building, vegetable seedling production, chop and drop and vege bed preparation.

Vegan soup and bread will be provided for lunch and you are invited to bring something small to share although this is not essential.

There will also be a crop swap table where we practice the permaculture approach of reciprocity of 'give and take'; you might enjoy bringing seeds, seedlings, produce from your garden, and walk away with something unexpected (again, don't feel obliged to contribute).

After lunch we will have a session on landscape design and outreach and co-creating some music together.

The facilitated part of the day ends at 2pm but for those who have a little more time we will be walking a little way along the banks of the Wakamoekau stream to hear about the fledgling community riparian restoration project.

We look forward to meeting you all. Please contact via methods below if you have any questions at all.

Nga mihi mahana ki a koutou.

Garry and Ali Foster

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Contact details:

garryrobfoster@gmail.com

027 314 6953