Jolly June, Farm Friends!
We've got so much happening around the Farm this month, especially since it's almost time for our biggest event of the year - the Winter Solstice Festival! If you haven't already, don't forget to grab your ticket for that here, and continue reading to see more about our exciting performances and workshops at the Festival, and how you can help to make it an unforgettable night!
Some other exciting news too - after testing our soils, we're delighted to announce that the soil in our allotment beds is healthy and ready for planting, with the allotments reopening in July! If you are interested in hiring an allotment, check out the information on our website here.
On the admin front, we're also looking for an administration and promotions volunteer to help out in the office for half a day (or a whole day) once a week! This opportunity would be perfect for a university student or part-time worker wanting to gain some experience in admin and marketing, so if you or someone you know might be interested, please get in touch at info@nscf.org.au.
Now, onto the good stuff!
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If you're planning to make a tax-deductable end of financial year donation, please consider Northey Street City Farm.
We're self-funded and rely on our social enterprises, course fees, and donations to keep the organisation running.
With twelve part-time staff and two hectares of land to manage, it's a challenge to cover costs and deliver on our vision of All Living Sustainably.
Every donation helps and is much appreciated! Funds collected this year will support us to:
- offer part-scholarship places on permaculture courses for First Nations participants
- revitalise our compost hub and community allotments
- develop new programs like a corporate volunteering program
- become more flood resilient
Northey Street City Farm is a registered charity, and donations over $2.00 are tax-deductable for Queensland residents. For more information, and to donate, please visit https://www.nscf.org.au/donate-to-northey-street-city-farm/.
Every little bit helps!
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Farewell, Michael!
This month we will be farewelling our exceptional Adult Education Coordinator, Michael Wardle (pictured left)! Michael has been in this role at the farm for the past six and a half years and has contributed greatly to our adult education program. We can't thank Michael enough for all his wonderful contributions. We're also happy to say that Michael will be staying on as a teacher on our Permaculture Design Courses and Sustainable Living Workshops, so you'll still see him around!
Adult Education Coordinator Job Vacancy
As we say our farewells, we're also looking for a passionate educator to take over Michael's role! Information about applying can be found here.
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Welcome, Andrew!
It's not all about goodbyes! We're very lucky to have the wonderful Andrew Nielsen (pictured right) stepping up to fill in Adnan's boots as Finance Coordinator! Andrew has been connected to the Farm for a long time, so it's awesome to have him around on a regular basis.
The role of Finance Coordinator is a huge and complex one, and Adnan has been incredible with his handover to Andrew, so a huge thank you to Adnan, too. Andrew is already off to a flying start and we're so excited to have him on board!
Thank you, and welcome Andrew!
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FILM NIGHT
Join us on the Village Green tomorrow (Friday 9th of June) for a screening of Bob Brown's THE GIANTS!
THE GIANTS explores the intertwined fates of trees and humans in this cinematic portrait of environmental folk hero and gay icon Bob Brown who took green politics to the centre of power. Told in Bob’s own words, his story is interwoven with the extraordinary life cycle of Australia’s giant trees, brought to the screen with stunning cinematography and immersive animated forest landscapes.
Hot chocolate, mulled wine, and popcorn will be available for purchase on the night. Be sure to rug up and bring blankets to stay warm! Film starts at 6:30pm.
Tickets are just $12 full price and $7 for concession! Grab yours here!
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Winter Solstice Festival
We're collecting firewood and bringing the braziers out; Winter Solstice Festival is now only 16 sleeps away!
Get your woolies and your dancing shoes on, we've got a stellar line-up of acts to fire 🔥 you up!
With performances by the friendly but Formidable Vegetable Sound System, trailblazing poet Huda the Goddess, the funky improvised musical assortment of Accomplice Collective, natural electronica beats from I.AM.CHICA, and many more, the festival will be nothing short of an incredible night!
We'll also have some wonderful talks and workshops from a huge array of locals, including Gardening Australia's very own Jerry Coleby-Williams, Batjala man and bush food expert, Bruce Phillips, guerrilla mycologist, and fungi educator Caine Barlow, artist Nadine Schmoll, Northey Street's very own Bob Mud and friends, and the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga!
If you haven't already, grab your tickets here!
Volunteers Needed
To make the event the best it can be, volunteers are still needed for bump in and out. Please email events.volunteers@nscf.org.au if you're able to help out. You'll also get free entry to the festival and our eternal gratitude!
We'll also have a sign-painting and decorations making day on Saturday 17 June from 10am - 4pm. All are welcome! Please RSVP with Kai at events@nscf.org.au.
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veg-table #3
Join us to celebrate local food and community!
veg-table is on again, and this month, we are celebrating World Localization Month! This is a night to celebrate our Farm community with a vegetarian meal made from local produce and food picked from our very own gardens!
Come and get to know your fellow Farmie, enjoy performances from local artists and soak in the night's splendour.
$10 entry on the night or volunteer for free and grab yourself a delicious meal cooked by our volunteers! BYO drinks (water is provided).
Please RSVP via Facebook here.
This veg-table will be a little bigger than usual, with some wonderful performers, including Leni Peirano and Clare Cowley!
About Leni and Clare
Leni Peirano brings an eclectic mixture of heartfelt originals, Latin American Folk traditions and re-imagined popular classics. Recently returned to Brisbane after time away playing in Uruguay, South America, and North Queensland, acquiring diverse sounds, stories and sentiments along the way.
With delicately rich vocals, Clare Cowley summons the spirit of folk music. Her performances feature bluesy guitar playing, smoky piano and harmonica in solo ballads and occasionally full band arrangements. The new album 'Desire Notes' showcases her hypnotic lyrical delivery.
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Breakfast Creek Paddle
On the morning of Saturday 20th May, Farm friends and community members set off on a paddle up Breakfast Creek. The gods must've been smiling on us as we couldn't have hoped for better conditions!
Thanks to all those who came along, and a particularly big thank you to Jono from Blue Peter for lending us canoes and making it such a heart-filling experience.
We hope for more Farm adventures soon!
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NSCF Compost Hub
Our compost hub is back up and running with an amazing team of volunteers to help us out! If you've got food scraps at home, please bring them in a pop them in the black compost bins so we can use them to create nutritious compost for our gardens!
You don't need anything fancy, you can even collect your scraps in an old ice cream container to bring in!
If you do want to invest in a benchtop composting system to collect your scraps in, however, our Nursery stocks the Urban Composter, which you can use the BCC Compost Rebate to purchase!
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Winter Gardening
A range of delicious fruit and veggies that can be grown in Brisbane in winter is available in the Nursery, including beetroot, beans, broccoli, bok choy, tatsoi, kale, collard greens, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chicory, lettuce, mizuna, peas, rocket, spinach, silverbeet, shallots, onions and strawberries.
We also have a delectable variety of herbs including borage, chamomile, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, fennel, French tarragon, lemon balm, lemon grass, lemon verbena, marjoram, mint, oregano, winter savory, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Beautiful flowers that will brighten your garden, attract pollinators and help to organically control pests are in such as alyssum, calendula, hollyhock, cornflower, marigold, nasturtium, pansy, pentas, snapdragon and violets.
Nursery Updates
There’s been a few changes over the past month here at the nursery! We’re back stocking farm produce starting small with a trolley and fridge as we get the market garden back to what it once was and perhaps beyond!
Another exciting change is we are back stocking worm farms! We’ve chosen different systems which are best suited for us Brisbane residents. One is a cube sealed design specific for indoor worm farming, it’s compact and attractive. This design is perfect for those who are looking to reduce their waste and feel they don’t have the space. The other system is a compact outdoor worm farm for those with patios, balconies, and smaller back yards.
Lastly, Mia, our Nursery Coordinator, has taken leave and will be off travelling Europe for up to 6 months! She’s so excited for this next endeavor but is eager to be returning to us come the end of the year. Whilst she is away our two Nursery Assistants Lizzie, and Roberta, who a lot of you already know will be taking on her position. They’re highly capable and passionate and we are so excited to see what they do with the place! Due to them taking on the Coord role, we have a casual Nursery Assistant for the Sunday morning shift. AJ (pictured below) has completed the PDC here at the farm, along with multiple workshops, he’s a budding permaculturist with a huge drive to learn more and a very positive outlook. We are stoked he’s come on board! You’ll have to drop in and say hello!
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PDC
Permaculture Design Course
Saturdays from 5th August to 18th November 2023
9 am to 4 pm
Permaculture offers a creative alternative to existing exploitative systems. In a world characterised by climate crises and unsustainable practices, permaculture offers a route away from the collapse, and into working with earth’s natural systems to create a better world.
Through the PDC, you’ll be given the skills to not only grow more nutritious, healthy food that supports a healthy ecosystem, but how to live a more sustainable life. What’s more, you’ll be doing it right in the heart of Meanjin (Brisbane), at our stunning 28-year-old permaculture site!
Take the step toward change today - sign up for our Permaculture Design Course here.
Early bird enrolment prices available until July 8th, so get in quick to save!
PDC part-scholarships for First Nations participants
Each of our NSCF Permaculture Design Courses have two part-scholarship positions available at half price (totalling $800 each person) for a First Nations (Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander) person.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Emma Brindal: edufarm.mgr@nscf.org.au or call the office on 3857 8775.
To apply for a First Nations part-scholarship, complete the application form here.
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Earth Kids - Homeschool Program
Bookings are now open for the Earth Kids Home School program Term 3! To secure your child's place, click here.
The themes for Term 3 will be Birds and Air. Early bird ticket sales end on June 25th.
Earth Kids - Winter School Holiday Program
The Winter Earth Kids School Holiday Program will be running from Tuesday 27 June to Wednesday 29 June. We only have a few spaces left in this program now, so get in quick to avoid disappointment! Tickets are available here.
Parent volunteer places are available, with discounted tickets for their children. Part-scholarship places are also available for parents holding Health Care Cards. Contact Emma at edufarm.mgr@nscf.com if you are interested in these options.
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Journal article about research project on the Earth Kids program
Emma Brindal, our Education and Farming Manager who previously ran the Earth Kids programs, recently had an article published in the Australian Journal of Environmental Education about a research project she did for her Master of Education (Social Ecology) degree on some of the nature connection practices used on the NSCF Earth Kids program. You can read the article here.
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Successful School Gardening with Jenny Kato and Emma Brindal
Saturday 5 August 2023, 9am – 4pm
This workshop will introduce the practicalities of establishing and maintaining a school garden using permaculture practices and principles.
It will also cover ways in which the Australian Curriculum cross-curriculum priority area of Sustainability can be addressed, and be applied to Learning Areas including Science, English, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Arts.
More information and tickets here.
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We
are taking bookings for tours and school visits for 2023. As bookings
are not paid for until after each visit, there is no financial
commitment to make a tentative booking.
For more information and bookings for school visits, click here.
For more information and bookings for group tours, click here.
We run free farm tours on Tuesday mornings for groups of 4 to 8 by arrangement only. This is a great way to learn more about Northey Street City Farm. Please contact edufarm.mgr@nscf.org.au if you would like to arrange a guided tour.
We also have a free farm tour for individuals on the first Tuesday of each month. Please arrive by 9:30 am under the sign at Chai Cafe to meet your tour guide.
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Bob Mud has returned!
David Baker, the director of Jacob's Well Watershed Organisation invited Bob as artist in residence for one week during his visit to Texas recently. JWWA is a non-profit organisation in Texas, returning large acreages to wilderness and supporting community projects including Blanco River School, Wimberley's annual song writer's festival and a recent international kite festival. To check out their work and see some more photos of Bob, click here!
David has invited him back for a one-month residency and has very kindly sent a donation to NSCF. Fortunately for us, Bob is staying put for now as he considers Earth Arts more important for NSCF and Brisbane!
For those who may not know, Bob runs the Earth Arts program here at the Farm. Earth Arts is a free play group and art experience that provides outdoor learning through creative play with earth, air, fire and water, while encouraging cultural diversity and inclusion.
Donations are accepted, but not compulsory & children of all ages are welcome to join. Head to our website here more information about Earth Arts.
Credit to Amber from JWWA for the below photos from Bob's time in Texas.
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City Farm Nursery
For all your nursery needs!
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday
8:30am - 12:30pm
Sunday: 6:30am - 12:30pm
Closed Mondays
You can find out more about the nursery here.
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Pay-It-Forward Plant Program
The Native Plant Donation Program invites you to buy a native plant which we will forward onto First Nations communities to re-generate land. This way, you can help heal Country and support communities’ knowledge of and connection to native plant food and medicine.
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Northey Street Organic Farmers Market
Where your money goes directly to a local organic farmer or small ethical business!
Sundays
6am to 11am Northey Street City Farm 54 Northey St., Windsor, Brisbane
You can find out more about the markets here.
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SITE HIRE
You can hire our unique site for weddings, parties, book launches and small events.
Contact the Enterprise & Support at: Manager enterprise.mgr@nscf.org.au for prices and availability.
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FARM MEMBERSHIP
Did you know you can get a 10% discount at our Nursery by becoming a member of our Farm? We love to see people supporting the Farm by becoming members. You can become a member via our website, at the Nursery, or by contacting the Office on 07 3857 8775 or at info@nscf.org.au.
FARM DONATIONS
The Farm does not rely on government funding for its operations. We operate as a social enterprise running the City Farm Nursery, Sunday Organic Farmers Market, and Permaculture Education. We appreciate the financial support of our community, if you are able please donate by visiting our website.
We also have an Australian First Nations Scholarship Fund and if you wish to donate to this please donate HERE and then contact finance@nscf.org.au to confirm this is where you would like your donation to go.
As a not for profit charity, all donations over $2 to our Environment Fund are tax-deductible.
Pay-It-Forward plant program. Donate any amount to this program to add to the collection of native plants we will donate to First Nations groups on your behalf.
VOLUNTEERS
You can get involved with our vibrant Farm community by becoming a volunteer. Volunteer areas include farming, nursery, construction, and kitchen. We also occasionally need people with professional or trade skills (even off-site help, if you can’t get to the farm): building, electrical, plumbing, welding, accounting, legal, to name a few.
Expressions of interest can be sent to: info@nscf.org.au
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