2017 was a year of extremes worldwide in terms of weather and politics. It has been tough on farmers in our region. But is has also been an incredibly successful year for The ECO School and Kaitiaki Farm.
Some highlights include:
Our PDC internship programme is the first of its kind and we are receiving amazing interns from around the world.
Our pre-school outdoor programme was a finalist in the WWF (NZ) Conservation Awards.
Our Eco-Thrifty Renovation project has been included in permaculture co-founder David Holmgren’s new book.
We surpassed 2,000 trees planted on the farm.
We ran a hugely successful Curtain Bank in Whanganui providing free curtains to nearly 100 families in two weeks.
For the fourth year we provided free workshops during Adult Learners Week.
We hosted the 5th Annual Whanganui Permaculture Weekend – attracting people from around the lower North Island.
And we are still growing the World’s Best Garlic.
A huge thanks goes out to the interns who have helped us achieve the vision of a resilient and productive farm. We couldn’t do it without you!
Peace, Estwing
Eco Thrifty Living 
2,000 trees is impressive, well done! How many of these have edible fruit and nuts? I live in a similar cold environment and the garlic I grow tends to be delicious as well.
Probably 300 ‘edible’ trees and the rest are natives, poplars, willows, and sheoak.
Kind regards