Happy New Year, Farm Friends!

We hope you had a wonderful break spending quality time with loved ones. 

Things are just starting up for 2024 here at the Farm, so rather than a full Farm ENews, we've got an Education Special for you this January.

From youth to adults, we've got a program, course, or workshop to suit. Plus, our amazing education team want to hear your thoughts on how to improve our programs, so be sure to check those out below (there are even some prizes to be won!). 

EARTH KIDS HOMESCHOOL TERM 1

Earth Kids Homeschool Term 1 will run from 31^st January to 20^th March, on Wednesdays, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. 

Earth Kids is all about supporting children to learn from and with the natural world - in a fun and interactive way!

The program is for children aged 6 to 12 years. Parents can choose to drop children or stay with the group.

Early bird tickets available until the 7th of January. 

Discounts also available for low-income parents, First Nations families, and volunteers.

Our Youth Education programs are looking for volunteers!

If you like spending time with young people and have some hours and/or skills to share, we want to hear from you! We are looking for people interested in volunteering in the NSCF Child and Youth Education programs in 2024. 

Please consider filling out the expression of interest form or sharing it within your network.

A new program for young people over 13 years - EOI

We're in the process of developing a new program for young people over 13 years old and are currently seeking expressions of interest in homeschooling or school holiday programs. 

Similar to our current Earth Kids, this new program, temporarily named "Earth Youth", will aim to foster nature connection and stewardship while supporting the development of knowledge, understanding, and skills around Permaculture, local flora, fauna and habitats, bushcraft, and Indigenous culture and perspectives. 

The content and skills shared in the "Earth Youth" program will be more advanced and the participants will be involved even more actively in leading their learning and experience. 

If your family is interested or you know someone who might be interested in this program, we'd love to hear from you! Please fill out the Expression of Interest form below.

FIRST NATIONS PART-SCHOLARSHIPS

Each of our NSCF Permaculture Design Courses has two part-scholarship positions available at half price (totaling $800 each person) for a First Nations (Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander) person. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Emma Brindal on 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.

Here's our Adult Ed Coordinator, Gav Hardy, getting a garden bed ready for the next SBA course...

Win a Workshop!

Have you done the Adult Education Survey? We'd love to get your ideas to create an even better Adult Education Program at the Farm. Plus, there's two half-day workshop prizes on offer to anyone who does the survey. 

Thanks, in advance!

Our popular Sustainable Living Workshops are coming back in late February, starting with a great little session on Plant Identification using a smart phone, followed by sessions on Balcony Gardening, Soils, Mushroom Cultivation, Deep Ecology and Home Orchards. 

See you there!

Shout out for keen veggie gardeners

Late last year Lizzie, Gav and James hatched a plan to revitalise the kitchen gardens at the Farm. The aim is create a showcase of organic vegetable and herb gardening and will include beds for crop rotation, herbs, companion planting and perennial veggie demonstrations. Irrigation will be upgraded, protective coverings installed, and soil rejuvenated.

We're looking to create a small team of dedicated volunteers, led by our friendly staff, who love gardening and want to learn more about growing veggies and herbs. Please contact the office if you're interested on 3857 8775 or info@nscf.org.au

Can you name the plants? Answers are below the Earth Arts section of the email.

Earth Arts playgroups are continuing in 2024, running Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30am and at the Sunday market from 6am.

Adult Earth Arts sessions are now open for adults and educators to learn environmental art and music techniques every Wednesday from 9:30am. 

All Earth Arts programs are totally free, but Bob does accept donations (whether money or time) on Wednesdays and Sundays for maintenance of the program.

Bob is also on the lookout for volunteers to help him with some painting around the farm, or as support on the Earth Arts program. If you're interested in working with Bob, please contact us at info@nscf.org.au or have a chat with Bob around the Farm.

Earth Arts is a FREE playgroup that runs at the Farm from 9am on Tuesdays and Fridays, and 6am Sundays. Children and adults alike can experience clay making, creative writing, music, painting, and more!

For more information, visit our website here.

Quiz answers:

Top left to bottom right: Carambola (or Star Fruit), Salvia flowers, Wax Jambu Fruit (immature), 'Queensland Blue' Pumpkin, Assassin Bug (a 'good' bug), Chicory flowers