Permaculture Out West

Bacchus Marsh

I don’t really need to say anything… here is the link http://www.visitbacchusmarsh.com.au/strawberries-and-cherries.html

ohhh a free shuttle from the station

Keilor

Also Ladybird Organics Strawberries in Keilor is also open on Weekends (call first) http://www.ladybirdorganics.com.au/pick.html

There are a few more odd jobs that need doing around the place before the heat really kicks in so we’ll be holding a couple more working bee – oops, Fun and Fitness Days – on:
* Tuesday, November 22, from 10am-noon
* Saturday, November 26, from10am-2pm

No need to book – just turn up wearing old clothes. Bring gloves, hats and some lunch/ a water bottle. If you bring tools, write your name on them so that there are no mix-ups. All are very welcome, no expertise required!

View the full newsletter here http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f87dfab2b9617aa2436246e0d&id=13bac98bf4&e=834ae50aa5

Orchard Location http://www.werribeeparkheritageorchard.org.au/orchard/maps.html

The orchard is on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/groups/wph.orchard/

Due to the Big West Festival, our usual booking at the Dancing Dog has been changed. Please note, if you are planning to come to the POW/Future Footscray Masterplan workshop, it will now be held at West Footscray Neighbourhood House, 539 Barkly St, West Footscray.

See you there, 3-5pm Sunday!

Two free upcoming workshops run by the My Smart Garden program.

Gardening in small spaces
Thursday 17 November, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Newport Community Education Centre, 43 Mason St, Newport
With a bit of creativity you can grow a feast in your courtyard or balcony – come along and be surprised at just how abundant these spaces can be.

Potted herb gift making workshop
Saturday 26 November, 1.30-3pm
Bowes Avenue Community Centre, 27-31 Bowes Ave, Airport West
Why not give your loved ones a living, edible gift this Christmas? You might also reap the benefits of tasty summer herbs at their barbecues! Join the My Smart Garden program and come to our free gift making workshop. You’ll create a beautiful easy-to-grow potted herb and learn how to care for them.

To register email: contactus@mysmartgarden.org.au or call 9932 1142.

The My Smart Garden program, run by Moonee Valley and Hobsons Bay City Councils helps residents use their gardens to adapt to climate change by growing food, sheltering the home from heat and wind and using water wisely. More information at: www.mysmartgarden.org.au

Melton CSA is looking for people to get involved and become members and supporters of this local-to- Melbourne farm.

Our newly leased 30 acre farm has chickens, almonds, olives, and bees, with potential for more vegetables, and for grazing animals. The farm is also an excellent resource for education, with a series of great courses running throughout the year, but also for members, and community groups to make use of and enjoy.

We run on a Community Supported Agriculture model, which directly connects producers to their community. This is better for both people and the land, giving farmers a fair go and rewarding good land management. We all know that supermarkets crunch farmers with raw deals, and how this flows on by limiting farmers’ ability to care for the land. By being part of the global CSA movement, we can circumvent this, and rediscover how healthy soil, plants and animals can sustain a vibrant community – yours.

Traditional Community Supported Agriculture models ask members to invest at the start of the season in the resources necessary for that season’s produce. That’s a big outlay for you, and above what we can presently offer. Here’s an option that not only reduces risk, but has distinct advantages for both parties. If we can share the load a little, we come a big step closer to realising the dream, and putting food on your table.

Currently we pay $400/month rent, and we would like to raise the rent money through weekly memberships. We are aiming for 40 memberships at $2.50 per week. Any memberships above this amount would be put back towards improving the land with more food plants, infrastructure, resources for soil care, and native plants as shelter and habitat for wild birds and other animals.

Membership of our Melton CSA includes: ? ? ? ? ? 20% off eggs (from $5 to $4 per dozen) 20% off other farm produce e.g. almonds, vegetables, olives, meat 25% off farm courses, such as pruning, irrigation and animal care members only events a chance to be involved in decisions about farm activities

Membership can be paid weekly, monthly or annually. With this overview, we invite expressions of interest, from you as individuals, households, groups or businesses; does this sound like a worthwhile investment, and is the price right for what you get in return? These things and more, we invite you to comment on, and with your feedback we can develop our own unique CSA model – one that works for you, and us.

For more information contact Carey on 0423 554 398 / 9746 7031 or email careypriest@yahoo.com.au. Or try the websites www.meltoncsa.org or http://www.organicfoodcoop.org.au/farm/

The Avondale Heights Community Garden currently has a nasty infestation of this weed. Unfortunately it is difficult to differential between the weed and the native grass until the seed head develops.

Identification page 3 of this document http://www.weeds.gov.au/publications/guidelines/wons/pubs/n-neesiana.pdf

The garden is working to eradicate the week and increase the amount of kangaroo and wallaby grasses on site.

Don’t forget this month, instead of EmPOWering Community Drinks, POW will be joining with the newly formed Future Footscray Group to conduct a public workshop around Maribyrnong Council’s Draft Masterplan for the Footscray CBD.

Future Footscray is a community group of people living in and around Footscray who choose to see the earmarked redevelopment of Footscray as an opportunity to create a vibrant, sustainable and people focused place to live – one that sets benchmarks in urban design and planning around Australia and even the world.

They have come together to make this opportunity a reality whilst at the same time preserving the things they currently love about the inner west of Melbourne – its diversity, its character and its sense of community.

If you would like to find out more about Future Footscray or would like to explore ideas about the future development of Footscray, please join us at the Dancing Dog Cafe, corner Albert and Raleigh Streets, Footscray from 3-5pm on Sunday 20th November.

Copies of the Draft Masterplan will be available at the event, but we recommend having a look beforehand if you can.  A copy of the plan and details of public consultation times can be found here.

Werribee Open Range Zoo & SGA
present

Sustainable Gardens Open Day 2011, Newport and Altona

Sunday November 13th, Open 1pm to 4pm

Sustainable, productive, inspirational, achievable! These gardens are wonderful examples of gardening sustainably, producing fresh food in your own back, working with recycled materials, and maximising productivity through organic means. Kate’s garden and Mara’s garden will be open for viewing from 1-4pm on Sunday November 13th. Entry is by gold coin donation and all proceeds will go to Werribee Open Range Zoo.

More information and garden locations here http://www.sgaonline.org.au/?p=5210

Hey did you know we are on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tinyman#!/groups/232421223455251/

An instantaneous way to swap ideas and Catch up with fellow permies out west