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Good Mahi Story
All posts by Estwing
Life Finds a Way
Practicing regenerative agriculture on the farm for the past seven years we’ve seen remarkable improvement in soil life, plants and animals. Biology is so powerful if we start by doing less harm than good. The key is working with nature instead of against it.
Here is a poplar that got blown over in the wind about two months ago. Instead of cutting the stump with a chainsaw I left it because I knew it would recover. It just started re-sprouting this week.
Here is a mushroom growing out of an old snapped limb of this birch tree.
The wetlands and riparian corridor have made huge advances since we fenced out stock and planted 2,000 natives.
The culvert is a weak link along our stream so we’ve reinforced it with biology – much stronger than concrete and steel!
Every morning it’s so exciting to get up and see what else is growing on the farm!
Peace, Estwing
Permaculture Gifts
We believe in appropriate technology and sound advice. We offer items that help build resilient properties and communities.
The items we sell include the following:
Email to order: theecoschool@gmail.com
Programmes @ Kaitiaki Farm
Celebrating a decade as the region’s leader in sustainability and resilience programming.
Brown Bag – Green Home
27th July, 12-1. FREE
Whanganui Learning Centre, 232 Wicksteed St.
BYO lunch and learn about the best options for home retrofit and renovation.
Funding provided by ACE Aotearoa
Pruning Fruit Trees
27th July, 1-2. FREE
Whanganui Learning Centre, 232 Wicksteed St.
Outdoor workshop pruning pip fruit and stone fruit.
Funding provided by ACE Aotearoa
Hands-On with Poplar Poles & Tree Lucerne (Tagasaste)
August 14th, 2-4: pm. Funded by Horizons’ Pūtea Hapori Urapare Āhuarangi – Community Climate Response Fund
Poplars and tagasaste are the fastest and cheapest ways to get sizeable trees established on your land. Both are fast-growing, drought resistant and inexpensive to buy. Both respond well to pruning and make great stock fodder. This hands-on workshop includes planting poplar poles and propagating tree lucerne from seed.
Register: theecoschool@gmail.com
The Low-Carbon – High Efficiency – Affordable Home
September 18th, 2-4: pm. Funded by Horizons’ Pūtea Hapori Urapare Āhuarangi – Community Climate Response Fund
This workshop helps demystify the home-building process for climate resilience and affordability. Topics include passive solar design, super-insulation, high performance windows, and where to claw back cost savings.
Register: theecoschool@gmail.com
Kaitiaki Farm Weekend
October 15-16
Saturday afternoon 2 – 5 pm: Farm Tour of Gardens, Intensive Orchards, & Farm Buildings (Permaculture Zones 1-2). Includes integrating farm foul into fruit & veg production and what are the best tools to use for low-input/high performance systems.
Sunday morning 9:30 – 12:30: Farm Tour of Paddocks and Hillsides, Non-Intensive Orchards, Stream Restoration, Bush Restoration, and Browse Block (Permaculture Zones 3-5). Includes water management, preventing slips, managing gorse, integrating poplar and willow, managing goats and kunekune pigs.
Sunday afternoon 1:30 – 4:30: Eco Design/Build for Sleep Outs, Tiny Homes, Minor Dwellings. Includes passive solar design, ‘super-wall’, retrofit double-glazing, building code changes, wastewater compliance, compost toilets.
Choose any combination: $50 each or $130 for all. (Couples $240)
Meals and accommodation also available – please enquire.
Register: theecoschool@gmail.com
Climate Camp for Teens
29-30 October TBC
Funded by Horizons’ Pūtea Hapori Urapare Āhuarangi – Community Climate Response Fund
Register: theecoschool@gmail.com
Family Climate Fair
12 November TBC
Funded by Horizons’ Pūtea Hapori Urapare Āhuarangi – Community Climate Response Fund
Register: theecoschool@gmail.com
Permaculture Design Certificate
January, 2023, Dates TBD
Love Your Land Day
February 16th, 10-4: pm. BYO Lunch.
Funded by Horizons’ Pūtea Hapori Urapare Āhuarangi – Community Climate Response Fund
Kaitiaki Farm is a thriving regenerative farm on the outskirts of Whanganui. The day will be split between a farm tour and presentations by Horizons officers along with specialists in other aspects of land management.
Register: theecoschool@gmail.com
Abundance @ Kaitiaki Farm
We are into a spectacular spring with the entire farm thriving: goats, pigs, garlic beds, vege gardens, the orchards, olives, avocados, native plantings, etc. A combination of rain in October and sun in November has set photosynthesis to full throttle. Below are some images of the thriving kai and landscapes here on Kaitiaki Farm.
We can hardly keep up with the milking and cheese-making.
Amazing how working with nature instead of against it give such amazing results!
Peace, Estwing
2022 Permaculture Calendar
2022 Permaculture Calendars for sale
Calendars are $18 post paid and two for $30.
Proceeds go to wetland restoration.
Orders: theecoschool@gmail.com
Filled with inspiring images that can change the way you see the world. Practical examples of each of the 12 permaculture design principles showcase photo contributions from the broader permaculture community.
Daily moon planting icons can help you get more organised by observing the rhythms and patterns of the lunar cycles, no matter where you are in the world, supporting regular planting routines.
Produced using vegetable based inks on post-consumer recycled paper. 100% of profits donated to permaculture projects internationally.
Climate Resilience PDC Internship
Immerse yourself in eco-design for climate resilience on a thriving permaculture farm outside of Whanganui. We take a systems approach to managing the farm holistically to maximise carbon sequestration and minimise carbon emissions.
This PDC focuses on ecological land management, regenerative agriculture, water management, eco-housing – both building and retrofit, appropriate technology, human-scale approaches and transport along with the full PDC curriculum.
5th January 2022 – 8 WEEKS WITH A WEEK OFF IN THE MIDDLE. ($700)
From a recent intern: “I’ve just completed my 2 month PDC at the Eco School and have had an absolutely sensational time. If you want to learn how to become a permaculture home-steader FOR REAL, skip the two weeks of PowerPoint presentations offered elsewhere, and come get fully immersed in the lifestyle. Dani and Nelson have got the art of sustainable living down pat, and both are an absolute gold-mine of knowledge to be tapped. I left knowing how to do everything from preparing and planting garden beds; to raising livestock; milking and cheese-making; harvesting and preserving; butchering, baking (no candle-stick making…); DIY and carpentry. Essentially, we covered in incredible depth the art and science of ecology and land regeneration, as well as all the principles of design and analysis vital to making permaculture work properly. It was like being back at uni, except this time I was learning something useful (and deeply fascinating).” – Harry
David Holmgren’s Retrosuburbia
RetroSuburbia: the downshifter’s guide to a resilient future
This 592 page manual shows how Australians can downshift and retrofit their homes, gardens, communities and, above all, themselves to be more self-organised, sustainable and resilient into an uncertain future. It promises a challenging but exciting mix of satisfying work, a more meaningful way of living and hope for the next generation.
RetroSuburbia is divided into three main sections: the Built, the Biological and the Behavioural along with the introductory section ‘Setting the scene’.
NZ $89 + $9.60 parcel post tracked.
Orders: theecoschool@gmail.com
2022 Permaculture Calendars for sale
Calendars are $18 post paid and two for $30.Proceeds go to wetland restoration.Orders: theecoschool@gmail.com
Peace, Estwing
Lucky Seven (Years)
We have reached another anniversary on this piece of land, which is always a good time to reflect on our progress. Samuel Goldwyn once said, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” We have been very lucky on this patch, but at the same time unlucky – facing a flood, a fire, and land slips. Our primary goal on the farm has been climate resilience so I suppose there is nothing like being put to the test.
Despite the challenges the farm is thriving, although we’ve cut back on growing kai a bit lately due to other commitments. Here are the market gardens at about half of their usual capacity.
There are only ripe guavas and citrus this time of year, but we had a great plum, peach, feijoa and apple harvest earlier this year.
The valley is looking great, with about 2,000 trees planted on the slopes and along the stream, along with the avocado orchard.
At the moment we’re busy with the goats kidding and starting the milking season.
Looking forward to more luck tomorrow.
Peace, Estwing
Festival of Adult Learning 6th – 12th September
The Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga 2021
For the seventh year the ECO School has partnered with Adult & Community Education Aotearoa to bring a series of free workshops to Whanganui.
POSTPONED – PLEASE WATCH FOR UPDATES
Monday, 6th September. Location: Springvale Bike Park
3:30 – 5:00. Hot Composting for Serious Gardeners
This workshop explains how to build and manage a hot compost pile. Other compost methods will also be addressed.
Bagged sheep manure available for sale. Bagged compost for sale.
Wednesday, 8th September. Location: Whanganui Learning Centre, 232 Wicksteed Street
12:30 – 1:30. Backyard Gardening
This workshop explains some tips for success for vegetable gardening.
1:30 – 2:30. Fruit Tree Care
This workshop covers the basics of fruit tree pruning.
Thursday, 9th September. Location: Whanganui Learning Centre, 232 Wicksteed Street
12 – 1. Healthy Homes Brown Bag Lunch Session.
This workshop addresses the most cost effective ways to improve the health and comfort of existing homes. It covers some Dos and some Don’ts of where to spend your money.
Come on your lunch break.
1 – 2:30 Bicycle Maintenance and Repair
Eco Thrifty Living 