Introduction to Permaculture with Gavin Hardy

Famously described as 'a revolution disguised as organic gardening', Permaculture is a holistic design system for creating resilient, regenerative and abundant ways of living. Permaculture's foundations in ethics and principles draw from the patterns of abundance found in nature and tap into the wisdom of traditional cultures connected to the land and the great thinkers of our times. Permaculture has application across all spheres of life including community, finance, technology, education, raising kids, building construction, living arrangements and food production.

Come and learn about how the Permaculture way can help you to become more empowered, connected, healthful and unstuck at our 31-year-old demonstration site. The session includes a tour of our 2.5 Hectare site plus a delicious morning tea. By the end of the workshop, you will:

• have mapped out how the concept could apply to your life situation

• gain access to a comprehensive resource list for further exploration

• take home the seeds of some edible 'permaculture plants'

• have toured our site to see how permaculture works in the real world.

Lots of people in our region use permaculture in their daily lives including apartment dwellers, householders, renters and hobby farmers. Businesses, professionals and producers are incorporating the permaculture regenerative design framework into their occupations to help create a more sustainable world.

About the Facilitator

Gav helped set up Northey Street City Farm in the 1990's and he is currently the Farm's adult education coordinator and permaculture lead teacher.  Gav created 'Eco-flat Brisbane', a showcase of permaculture apartment style living. He is the author of 'Community Food Futures in Australia' (2023) based on a Churchill Fellowship he received in 2020 and is also the Queensland Coordinator of Community Gardens Australia. Gav is an experienced gardener and consults widely in the community food space. Gav learnt permaculture with the co-originator, Bill Mollison, in 1997 and has done advanced courses with David Holmgren and Robin Clayfield, as well as studying Edible Forest Gardening with Martin Crawford at the UK Agroforestry Research Trust. He holds bachelor's degrees in Construction Engineering and Landscape Architecture, and a Certificate (Level 4) in Training and Assessment.