A Taste of Permaculture

Are you interested in learning more about the ethics and principles that underpin permaculture and how these can be used to design systems that are both sustainable and abundant?

Join Cal Champagne, Green Connect Farm Manager, for this 3.5 hour workshop and in-depth tour in one of the largest urban permaculture farms in the world. 

Come along and:

• Learn about the various levels of holistic site design and land management practices on the Green Connect Farm site
• Meet the chickens, bees, pigs and sheep, and learn how they have been integrated into perennial food systems to help repair the land and yield ethically raised produce
• Walk the creek line to see how bringing back indigenous rainforest species as part of a biodiversity belt is helping to create a diverse ecosystem that complements our food production
• Understand the sustainable cropping techniques that produce veggies and herbs for households, restaurants and cafes throughout the Illawarra
• Learn how nutrients are recycled throughout the farm to create production and efficiency rather than waste
• Hear how permaculture has been used as a vehicle for empowering former refugees, young people, and the wider community

This workshop is for anyone interested in permaculture design, regenerative agriculture, backyard gardening, urban agriculture, local food systems, sustainable and ethical animal management, fairness for agricultural workers, recycling organic waste, or the role of native restoration in agricultural landscapes.

Included:

• Morning tea 
• Workshop notes
  
  

Tickets:

Book early to avoid disappointment! Early bird discounted tickets are available until 2 weeks before this workshop. 

About the facilitator:

Cal Champagne has been the manager of Green Connect Farm since its establishment. Growing up on a permaculture demonstration property on the Far South Coast of NSW, Cal moved to the Illawarra as a young adult to study environmental sciences at UOW, before going on to postgraduate studies in Sustainable Food Systems at the University of Sydney. During his studies, he got involved in permaculture locally, through the ‘Living Classroom’ school gardens at Cringila Public School, Port Kembla Public School and Warrawong High School. When an 11-acre piece of land adjacent to Warrawong High School was made available, Cal joined Green Connect to turn this land into what is now the Green Connect Farm, one of the country’s leading examples of urban agriculture.

Before you book, please consider the following:

• The site is a working farm and visitors must participate in a safety briefing before entering.
• The terrain at the farm is particularly steep and slippery in parts. Though we do take it slowly, the tour involves a moderately challenging walk and participants will be required to walk across uneven and sloping ground. If you have mobility restrictions or any concerns about your ability to navigate the terrain, please contact us before booking.
  
• Plants love rain and so do we! We don’t cancel tours in wet weather unless there is a dangerous storm so it is essential to come prepared for the weather. Rain and mud are all part of the fun! 
• Allergen advice: Our farm is home to domestic animals as well as bees, wasps, and macadamia trees. Please pack an EpiPen if allergic and keep it with you while on site.
  
  

All workshop participants must: 

• Wear enclosed shoes or boots (no thongs or sandals) and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Long pants are recommended.
• Bring a hat and sunscreen or rain gear, depending on the weather forecast.
• Bring a pen/pencil and paper if you wish to take notes.

If you have any questions about this workshop, please don't hesitate to contact us at activities@green-connect.com.au or 4243 1537.