Growing With Ease

Do you want to grow with ease?

Build better soil health and fertility?

Eat nutrient dense food?

Bring an equilibrium to the world around us?

Are you looking for a holistic approach? That allows everything to flourish?

Then come along and learn in this wonderful workshop!

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The focus of the day will be around the fundamentals of biodynamics, a form of agriculture very similar to organic farming, but is a deeper holistic, ecological and ethical approach to gardening, food and nutrition, that brings ease to ourselves and the land. Drawn on a series of lectures in 1924 given by Rudolf Steiner, it includes various esoteric concepts and treats the farm as its own living organism, looking to be self-supporting in nature without the use of off-farm inputs. Often remarked, ‘food tastes as it should’ when grown biodynamically.

The day will be part theory, part practical and will culminate in an meditative hour stir of preparation 500 - the grounding block of the whole system. We will also make barrel compost / cow pat pit and get to know the nine key preparations we utilise.

What we will cover - 
- What is biodynamics and why is it important 
- Building fertility and resilience in your garden naturally
- Characteristics of each preparation
- Different methods of incorporating biodynamics 
- Sourcing the preparations 
- Making Cow Pat Pit / Barrel Manure 
- 500 stir and spread over the land

This workshop is perfect for anyone growing their own food, or those that have an interest in nutrition, building soil health and climate resilience, or simply a curiosity for the interconnected nature of our universe. 

We will be based on Paulo Farms, a certified organic property just outside of Waihi that has been utilising biodynamics since 2016. The property encompasses a small market garden, a young orchard, cattle, pasture free range chooks and is our playground for a self-sufficient lifestyle. It has a beautiful energy about the place, another aspect that flourishes through utilising biodynamics. 

Please prepare to be outside for the duration of the workshop. If torrential rain is forecast, the workshop will be moved forward to Saturday 21st September. We will also create a sense of connection and community with a shared lunch, please bring a contribution. Coffee and tea will be provided. 

Facilitated by Monique from Natural Wisdom. 

EVERYONE WELCOME.

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About your host…

As a holistic food systems facilitator, Monique Macfarlane of Natural Wisdom teaches a variety of workshops such as biodynamics, planting by the moon, no-dig food growing, seasonal approaches to gardening and self-sufficiency on the land she is immersed in. Her heartfelt passion for food, localisation, and thriving nature is the foundation of her incredible offerings. She is an EatNZ Kaitaki, and also recently contributed the cosmic planting and gardening calendar to each issue of OrganicNZ magazine.

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Feedback from previous workshops - 

"I loved attending the workshop! The time flew by as we wandered around the beautiful farm learning all about growing more veges and creating rich, beautiful soil with lots of worms and no weeds. Monique was so lovely, she really knew her topic and was so passionate about it, that you left energised and full of ideas for your own garden and wanting to begin straight away. I would totally recommend attending, it was the best day!" - Nicki

"What an amazing workshop, I have come away with so much knowledge. Learning about how to mend soil naturally was fulfilling. I am excited to start applying a more natural approach to the way I garden to produce greater yields that are healthier and full of nutrients for my whanau." - Alamein

"I would highly recommend Moniques workshop to anybody even remotely interested in this area. The presentation of the workshop was practical and relatable which made receiving the content so easy. I didn't come away from this workshop thinking, hmmm, what did that mean? I have come away thinking, that makes so much sense!" - Chanelle

"Monique has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to share. Her delivery is inclusive of all no matter what level of skills you might have in the garden. Monique’s mission is to support and empower people to become more connected to the natural world through sustainable and dynamic practice. At a time where supply chains are tentative, these workshops create confidence that we all have the ability to grow a lot of our own food, no matter what size property you might have." - Kate

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Please note - If money is a barrier to attending this workshop, do send me a message, trading options are available.