Permaculture for the community
With the cost of living rising, it’s never been a better time to grow your own food. Now, people can learn from two of New Zealand’s leading experts.
Zero-waste icon Trish Allen and expert earth builder Guenther Andraschko are running an internationally-recognised Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course from April to November. Based out of the Matakana Hall and Community Garden, and with visits to other permaculture destinations in the region – including the legendary Rainbow Valley Farm – the course will teach people how to cultivate better relationships with the land and their food.
“Permaculture is not only about looking after water, soil and eco-systems, but also growing food and other flora in a sustainable way,” says Trish. “Recently we’ve seen the cost of fertilisers and food go through the roof. It’s a great reason for people to create their own healthy soil and compost to grow nutritious food for their families and communities.”
Trish is a long-time Matakana local and a zero-waste pioneer who has started several successful initiatives over the years, such as the Mahurangi Wastebusters.
Guenther Andraschko is a well-known earth builder and landscaper with more than 25 years’ experience creating unique outdoor environments. He is passionate about supporting others to realise their own permaculture projects and aspirations.
“What makes this PDC unique is that participants can choose from a range of different practical workshops, which include hands-on experience with earth building, pruning and grafting, mushroom growing, fermentation and more,” Guenther says.
Trish and Guenther have run successful PDC courses for a number of years. For this upcoming course they’ll be introducing some new tools and ideas.
“Healthy soil and compost are key elements of a thriving ecosystem, and we’ve purchased a new microscope that can show us close up just how healthy it is,” says Trish. “We’re also emphasising a Te Ao Māori perspective on permaculture this year, which will be a wonderful addition to the course.”