Each April we host a series of tours and activities on the farm, which is looking fabulous at the moment despite a very dry summer. This year we’re hosting the tours on Easter Monday (21st) and a whanau day on ANZAC Day (25th). Please see details below.

The events are free but registration is essential. Come for one or as many as you choose: theecoschool@gmail.com

Monday 21st April (Easter Monday): Farm Tours

10:00 – 10:30 Permaculture in Small Spaces

Have a look at some of the nooks and crannies into which we have squeezed food production including small vegetable gardens, climbing grapes and passion fruit, and bunched avocados.

10:30 – 11:00 Permaculture in Medium Spaces

Join a stroll through our more extensive vegetable gardens and orchards, where we integrate chickens into fruit and vegetable production.

11:00 – 12:00 Permaculture in Large Spaces: Managing Land with Water in Mind

For over 10 years we have been planning and planting for water management on the farm. This includes fencing the stream and planting the hillsides in both native trees and poplar and willow, as well as restoring a wetland to health to improve water quality and biodiversity.

Bring a picnic lunch if you choose.

1:00 – 2:00 Eco Building and Renovation

We have excellent examples of low-cost and high-performance approaches to building and renovation to suit local conditions.

Friday 25th April: Whanau Love Our Awa Day

11:00 – 3:00 Nature Play and Native Tree Care

(Come for as long or short as you like. )

Bring a picnic lunch and join us for a relaxed day of play along Purua Stream, which flows to the Whanganui River. Over the last ten years we have fenced the stream to exclude stock, restored an historic wetland, and planted over 4,000 native trees to promote biodiversity and protect the awa.

We’ll do some light weeding of invasive plants (very light) and possibly plant some native trees if the soil moisture has risen enough by then.

Register: theecoschool@gmail.com

This programme supported by Horizons Regional Council and Whanganui District Council.

Peace, Estwing