UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY AT NIRVANA ORGANIC FARM AT HEATHFIELD

FOR A LOCAL,RESPONSIBLE, ENERGERIC AND ENTHUSIASTIC PERSON.

A position is available for a 12 month part-time internship which offers an opportunity to learn from 30 years biodynamic growing and small holding lifestyle in the Adelaide Hills.

2 days a week – negotiable times and days. Can be made of some ½ days (week days only) Times may vary depending on season and conditions. (this is farming which is not 9-5) There is no money exchange only skills and knowledge.

For more information on Nirvana Organic Farm http://nirvanaorganicfarm.blogspot.com.au

Application in writing by October 30^th to:

Nirvana Farm 184 Longwood Rd, HEATHFIELD 5153

Further information Deb or Quentin 83392519 after dark, before 9pm.

 

BIO- DYNAMIC AGRICULTURE

BEYOND ORGANICS

Improve your soils water holding capacity.

A one day course to introduce the practical concepts of the biodynamic methods to farmers and gardeners.

The Bio -Dynamic method is a modern organic method that creates a holistic approach to building healthy soil, plants animals and humans.

The course covers history, concept of a living organism, soils, compost, special preparations that enhance nature and equipment required.

 

Sunday, Sept 23^rd 2012.

8.30 am. -4.30 pm.

Cost: $140

Includes: notes, lunch, Membership of Adelaide Hills Biodynamic Group..

COMPOSTING AND MULCHING

Sunday, October 7^th

9.00 - 12 30 $50

Principles of composting and mulching, techniques and materials used and how they can be used most effectively on your garden or farm.

ORGANIC VEGETABLES FOR YOUR TABLE

Sunday, September 30^th

9.00—12.30 $50

Practical guide to establishing and maintaining a productive and healthy

vegetable garden.

INTRODUCTION TO MOON PLANTING AND USING THE PLANTING CALENDAR

Sunday, October 14^th 9.00-12.30 $50

Working with the rhythms of nature can develop your skills in fine tuning your garden and can add a new dimension to your gardening experience.

ORGANIC FRUIT, NUTS & BERRIES.

Sunday, October 21^st

9.00 -12.30 $50

Practical guide to orcharding. Includes establishment, soils, ground covers, maintenance & pruning.

POULTRY KEEPING.

Sunday October 28^th

9.00 pm – 12.30 $50

All you need to know about getting started with poultry. Includes selection, housing, feeding, breeding, pests.

WEAVING A BIT OF MAGIC

Sunday November 4^th

9am – 4pm

$140

.The ideal way to recycle your garden prunings. This introduction to natural fibre weaving will show you the essential techniques, suitable plants & other materials to make baskets, fences, or trellises.

Course includes all materials, lunch, morning & afternoon tea.

.GUIDED FARM TOURS

Book your own tour anytime

An ideal opportunity to gain an insight into a successfully run biodynamic farm .This Garden Quality Farm demonstrates an integrated system incorporating orchards, poultry, native habitat & wetlands, home food production & hardy cottage gardens all rolled into a unique lifestyle.

minimum charge $60 for up to 5 persons

extra’s @ $12/ head)

SCHOOLS; Secondary $8 Student with 1 adult/15 student’s Primary $7 Student with 1 adult/10 students

CLUBS & GROUPS; 15 + @ $10/ head

WORKSHOPS Held at Nirvana Organic Farm 184 Longwood Road Heathfield Phone 83392519 Practical, ‘hands on’ courses conducted by experienced biodynamic/organic farmers, Deb and Quentin. Their successful small holding, which has been run organically/Bio-Dynamically since 1983. National winner of the Organic Federation of Australia Awards of Excellence as the leading Organic Educator The 4.5 ha property provides the ideal classroom filled with practical examples of how goals can be achieved and gives inspiration into this GARDEN QUALITY FARMING for both gardeners and farmers alike. Courses are aimed to maximise opportunities for participation and discussion. The number of participants will be limited so you will need to enrol ASAP

Spring workshops at Nirvana

INTRODUCTION TO BIODYNAMIC METHODS

Sunday, September 18th 8.30am – 4.30pm $120

One day course to introduce the practical concepts of the biodynamic methods to farmers & gardeners. The biodynamic method is a modern organic approach that creates a holistic approach to building healthy soil, plants, animals & humans. Includes notes, biodynamic preparations, lunch & teas.

 

 

 

 

VEGETABLES FOR YOUR TABLE.

Sunday, October 2nd 9.00 -12.30 $50

Practical guide to establishing & maintaining a productive & healthy vegetable garden. Our climate offers many opportunities to grow food for your table all year round. Discover what plants to grow, and when. Practical tips & ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

COMPOSTING & MULCHING

Sunday,  October 9^th 9.00 -12.30 $50

Reduce water use by learning the principles of composting & mulching, techniques & materials used & how they can be used most effectively on your garden or farm.

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION TO MOON PLANTING AND USING THE PLANTING CALENDAR

Sunday, October 16^th 9.00 -12.30 $50

Working with the rhythms of nature can develop your skills in fine tuning your garden and can add a new dimension to your gardening experience.

 

 

 

 

 

.

ORGANIC FRUIT, NUTS & BERRIES

Sunday, October 23^rd 9.00 -12.30 pm. $50

Practical guide to growing fruits, nuts & berries. Establishing, maintenance, ground covers, soils.

 

 

 

 

POULTRY KEEPING

Sunday October 30^th 9.00 – 12 30 $50

All you need to know about getting started with poultry. Includes breed selection, housing, feeding, breeding, pests.

 

 

 

WEAVING A BIT OF MAGIC

Sunday, November 6^th 9am 4pm $120

The ideal way to recycle your garden prunings .A introduction to natural fibre weaving. Includes techniques, suitable plants & other materials to make baskets, fences & trellises. Includes all materials, lunch & teas.

 

 

 

All courses are held at NIRVANA ORGANIC FARM

184 LONGWOOD ROAD, HEATHFIELD

UBD 157:G7. Exit from SE Freeway at Stirling, turn right at roundabout & travel 3.5 km.

The courses are practical, ‘hands on’ conducted by experienced biodynamic/organic farmers, Deb & Quentin. Their successful small holding has been run under BIO-DYNAMIC principles since 1983.

The 4.5 ha property provides the ideal classroom filled with practical examples of how goals can be achieved & gives inspiration into this GARDEN QUALITY FARMING to both gardeners & farmers alike.

FOR BOOKINGS & FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

DEB OR QUENTIN PHONE/ (08) 8339 2519 nirvanafarm@gmail.com

BLOGGERS GET-TOGETHER UPDATE

Date: Around Sunday August 24th

This is International Kitchen Gardeners day and our seedsavers group celebrates it with a lunch provided by everyone, made with anything from our gardens. That time of the year there is a lot of beautiful stuff in the vegie patch and preserves in the cupboards. All (and only) veg-garden-bloggers and their families would be welcome to join us, but only via personal contact with me. I hope it will be at Deb's again (see photos for last year's perfect setting).

Depending on cars available, other activities on other days would revolve around some visits to farmers' markets, our Adelaide central market (Friday), friends' gardens, my garden, a trip south to McLaren Vale and Fleurieu peninsula for cheesewrights, wineries, artisan stuff and maybe (if you're up for it) stay overnight in Willunga Friday night (or maybe camp on a nearby dairy I know, depending on the weather) and have dinner at a beaut place called Russells Pizzas (made from local ingredients and cooked in an outdoor pizza oven by Russell who...well..is a nice, earthy, pretty lovely sort of bloke!) Then there is the hills to explore and the Barossa Valley (for those who like more wine than me). Depending on who comes I can do ...well...almost anything to make it a great inaugural experience. Of course the focus would be primarily on growing food, cooking it, talking to each other and seeing what we have around Adelaide that keeps me here when I'd much rather be somewhere cool and wet, in the mountains and surrounded by thunderous rivers and green summer grasses! One day soon...

Tricky to promise anything yet since I haven't discussed the details with anyone, but I know they are with me in principal, so far.

I have put a link to a document called Blog-over for Kitchen Gardeners (you know, like sleep-over... OK maybe I will change the name eventually!).So check it for info and send me comments or emails to tell me what you are thinking. Thanks to the person who voted 'No, you are a nutcase' - I guess I asked for it!

Next Seeds for Health Course

Diana Bickford's next organic gardening course is starting soon at Fern Ave, Fullarton. Details below. Many of the Hills and Plains Seedsavers have done this course and would recommend it to anyone wanting to grow some of their food. Diana is an inspirational person and a leader in vegetable growing in South Australia. Here is a message from Maggie: This is a really great and fun course there is always so much to learn from Diana, Kath and all the people who attend the course. Please tell your friends. I have done this course twice and could do it again. And Fern Ave is a great place to spend a morning.

Cancer Care Centre Inc

SEEDS FOR HEALTH

AUTUMN 2008 Organic Gardening Course

Held at the beautiful Fern Ave Community Garden, Fullarton

This 7 week ‘hands-on’ organic gardening program is for those who are interested in improving their health by learning how to grow your own organic vegetables….. and having fun doing it.

This program is practical and is held in the organic Community Garden at Fern Ave, where you will experience the joy of home-grown produce. After each morning’s session, we enjoy a delicious Organic Lunch from our garden plot.

During the program you will start to sow “Seeds of Health” as you create your own ‘Take Home’ projects and also work in our ‘Cancer Care’ garden. There will be an interesting field trip along with some sessions including inspiring guest speakers.

Week 1	2 April	As ye shall sow…. So shall ye reap Intro to Organics & Permaculture Seeds to Sow … a home-grown project
Week 2	9 April	Kitchen garden inspirations plus more seeds to sow…… Wheatgrass - What, why & how
Week 3	16 April	The Good Earth - care of the soil with organic practices …. cultivating healthy soil – healthy plants – healthy people
Week 4	23 April	By Design - from balcony gardens and beyond….. plus All you need to know about heirloom seeds and the Hills & Plains Seedsavers Network
Week 5	30 April	Compost – with Tim Marshall. Tim, author of ‘Recycle Your Garden’, demonstrates why this is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves and for the health of the planet right now.
Week 6	7 May	Field trip to The Food Forest, Gawler - an inspiring model for sustainability and permaculture (twice awarded prestigious Premier’s Food Award for Sustainability)
Week 7	14 May	Seeds for the Future - Kitchen Garden productivity

Course is held Wednesday mornings 10am – 12noon

( with delicious, organic ‘lunch from the garden’ 12 – 1pm)

COURSE BEGINS Wednesday 2^nd April until Wednesday 14^th May (7 weeks)

Course facilitator: Diana Bickford

COST : $50.00 for Cancer Care Centre members

$80.00 for non-members

BOOKINGS TO CANCER CARE CENTRE 8272 2411

FERN AVE MEETING

Can you believe that it will be 4 months since we last got together at Fern Ave Community Garden, by the time the Feb meeting comes around. Here are the details but first, who organises this with the Fern Ave people? Maybe Cath or Kath ? Anyway someone (not me) needs to do it ASAP. Please let me know when its all OK and I will send out a reminder email to members.

Wednesday February 20th, 1.30 pm (members only)

Bring seeds, plants, something for me to eat (!), produce and any ideas for places to visit and things to do for 2008.

****If you can, take a look at Johnny's seeds because we have US$100 to spend !Bring a list of your choices and we will decide what to get.***

JANUARY ACTIVITY

ABORIGINAL FOOD AND PLANT TRAIL

Our activity for January is to join the Tauondi Guides in the Botanic Gardens as they reveal how plants have sustained Aboriginal life for thousands of years by providing food, shelter, tools and medicine.

Free.

This Sunday 20th January, 11am

Meet on the Schomburg Pavilion (that's the building at the southern end of the Mediterranean garden)

Hope to see you there.

Our next Wednesday afternoon together will be in February and I will post the details here soon.

DECEMBER PICNIC

REMINDER - TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY 19TH, 2PM

Click for map of Botanic gardens showing Economic garden at number 4 (top left)

Lets get together once more before our gardens die, no I mean before the end of the year. Don't worry about seeds etc except if you have arrangements with someone . Lets just sit down in the Economic Garden of the Botanic Gardens and have an old-fashioned picnic. Maggie says there are lots of things to look at there and elsewhere in the gardens - I can never sit down in a garden for long before I am off looking into something.
I have made the gingerbread men and panforte and I would like to share them with you. I have put the recipes on the blog too. In fact, it would make christmas fun again to have people to give my goodies away to who would love the joy I have in giving them.

DECEMBER PICNIC

REMINDER

Click for map of Botanic gardens showing Economic garden at number 4 (top left)

Lets get together once more before our gardens die, no I mean before the end of the year. Don't worry about seeds etc except if you have arrangements with someone . Lets just sit down in the Economic Garden of the Botanic Gardens and have an old-fashioned picnic. Maggie says there are lots of things to look at there and elsewhere in the gardens.

I have made the gingerbread men and panforte and I would like to share them with you. I have put the recipes on the blog too. In fact, it would make christmas fun again to have people to give my goodies away to who would love the joy I have in giving them.

Date: Wednesday December 19th, 2pm

A December to Remember

Lets get together once more before our gardens die, no I mean before the end of the year. Don't worry about seeds etc except if you have arrangements with someone . Lets just sit down in the Economic Garden of the Botanic Gardens and have an old-fashioned picnic. Maggie says there are lots of things to look at there and elsewhere in the gardens.

I always make gingerbread men and panforte and other festive things and I would like to share them with you. I have put the recipes on the blog too. In fact, it would make christmas fun again to have people to give my goodies away to who would love the joy I have in giving them. I could go all tear-in-the-eyes about this but I won't. (Did you see The Choir Of Hard Knocks singing at the Opera House on TV the other night? Now that did it for me, again!)

Date: Wednesday December 19th, 2pm

I will put a map here, closer to the day.

TONY SCARFO VISIT

I have made a date and time for our visit to Tony's organic market garden. Tony said he has been clearing out an area under an old olive tree for us to sit after our tour. I said we would bring him some afternoon tea and some seeds to share. He seems to be looking forward to meeting us and I think we might be the first group he has ever had.

All the details will be in the email I will send out now.

TONY SCARFO

Tony is the bloke whose 4 acres produce so much of the organic vegetables that are sold in Wilson's Organics, in Gouger Street. I met up with him again there today when he was delivering his produce to the shop and talked to him for ages - I kept saying "I mustn't keep you" but he said "No, no, no there is no rush." So refreshing. He was interested in our group and told me about his 4 acres in Salisbury which is evidently surrounded by housing now that all the old Italian blokes have 'moved on', so to speak. He has been on 'The Cook and The Chef ' TV show recently, when Maggie Beer went to get some fennel to cook .(She should have come to my place !) I didn't mention this as it must be annoying.

We have a definite invitation to visit him in November. He specified a Wednesday afternoon (not me) rather than the weekend, so I am sorry for those people who won't be able to come. Is there anything else on in November that we should consider ? I guess Maggie will tell us ! In the next couple of weeks I need to ring and make a day so please leave a comment here if you have a preference for a date.

ORGANIC FRUIT, NUTS & BERRIES

I just noticed that Deb had put this on the calendar and thought I would put it here for all who are interested. Check the calendar now and then for other events etc.

Practical guide to orcharding. Includes establishment, soils, ground covers, maintenance & pruning.

Sunday, October 21st 9.00 -12.30
$40
Nirvana Organic Farm
184 Longwood RoadHeathfield
Phone/fax 83392519

KGI International Kitchen Garden Day 2007

KGI International Kitchen Garden Day 2007 Sunday 26th August.

Beginning at 12 noon, with a tour of the vegie garden and hot-house.

Followed by a picnic - bring food to share - made from something in your garden if possible, a rug, a story, and a great big smile.

Check your emails for details - there is important extra, secret information in that email I just sent you (24/08/07).

Looking forward to seeing everyone...................

NOVEMBER IDEA

Also at the market today I again met my hero, Tony Scarfo. Tony grows organic vegetables at Salisbury and I often buy them at Wilson's Organics. He always has new and interesting varieties of things - today I bought a huge head of his purple caulis. Anyway, I mentioned our seedsavers group and he invited us out to see his 4 or so acres, suggesting that November would be a good time. He is a lively bloke and I think a visit there would be fun and so beneficial to us learning some more about growing vegetables as beautiful as his. The spark in his eyes when I mentioned seed-saving probably means we should take along a few special seeds for him - maybe some of those red okra that jumped into my pocket back in the Economic Garden !!

Meeting Dates

Wed 1.30 : July 25th , October 24th Fern Ave Community Garden., Fullarton

Other dates : International Kitchen Garden day : Sunday August 26th - things being planned.

That leaves Sept free. I want to visit someone's garden ! Cath ?

BIODYNAMIC METHODS

Beyond Organics: Sunday September 23rd
8.30am – 4.30pm $95

One day course to introduce the practical concepts of the biodynamic methods to farmers & gardeners. The biodynamic method is a modern organic approach that creates a holistic approach to building healthy soil, plants, animals & humans. Includes notes, biodynamic preparations, lunch & teas.
Nirvana Organic Farm184 Longwood RoadHeathfield 5153
For further enquires: email Deborah

Thanks Deb. This sounds like a great idea. See you there.

KITCHEN GARDEN DAY

Sunday August 26th is Kitchen Garden Day.

Maggie has suggested we get together for a harvest picnic somewhere. Any suggestions for where ?
By then I should be picking sugar snap peas, beetroot, spring onions, various lettuce and salad greens, wombok, bokchoy, spinach, kale, coriander and other herbs, broccoli and maybe fennel and a few other things. What about you ? This week I will pull up my water chestnuts but they will all be eaten by August. Did I tell you I sold 11kg jerusalem artichokes to Wilson's last week?