Food Forests – an event for growers and home-owners

Saturday 8th November 2014 at 1:30 pm at Pukekohe High School.  $10 pp entry donation.

We are hosting a 2-hour presentation by James Samuel of Food Forest NZ.  He will show some of the recently released Permaculture Orchard film after describing the growing interest in more diverse and low input methods of food production.  Food forests, or multi-layered systems of mostly perennial plants, is means to achieve the goal of increasing yields while reducing labour and other inputs.

The approach of intentionally increasing diversity, mimics the naturally occurring forest systems, and brings with it multiple benefits. Such multi-dimensional systems haves less need for fossil fuel and chemical inputs, we find ourselves producing healthy chemical-free food that, if grown for commercial reasons, can command premium prices.  Today the demand for organics is increasing year on year, so makes good business sense.

James Samuel will show excerpts from a recent film called “Permaculture Orchard – Beyond Organic” featuring Stefan Sobkowiak, who will be visiting New Zealand in March next year.  The ground-breaking film goes into great detail about the methodologies employed on Stefan’s Miracle Farm orchard, that was converted first to Organic production, then more recently underwent a total re-design.

Following the talk there will be a visit to the Pukekohe High School orchard for an exploration of the pros and cons of converting it to a multi-layered system of mostly perennial plants.

A contribution of $10 will be requested at the door, but rest-assured no one will be turned away.  For more information please contact John Allen.

A Food Forest in Franklin?
The seminar is a part of our consideration on whether to establish a community learning and demonstration food forest in Franklin. Details and articles supporting the seminar are published:
You will leave the NZTCA National Web Pages; click to go to
http://smallblock.org.nz