In 1993, a small group of us were dreaming and visioning this city farm – and in 1994 it all began. Twenty-two years later, I am so delighted, and really quite in awe, of how it has become such an important centre for sustainability and urban permaculture in this city and an inspiration for so many individuals, groups and educators. It such a buzz to have been part of this, and to continue to be.

• toured and taste-tested our way through the 4 acres of edible landscape
• got our hands into worm farms and compost systems
• made a perennial edible garden (brush turkey safe!) and explored many strategies for developing veggie gardens
• propagated many interesting permaculture perennials and planted them into up-cycled mini-wicking pots
• rolled some seed balls with mung beans, marigolds and buckwheat,
• saved open pollinated seed
• had a show and tell about beeswax cloths, natural dyes, homemade salves, solar cooking
• enjoyed the organic farmers market

The Brush Turkey was busy making a nest not far from our new garden bed, so we took precautions to protect it.

Most of us got muddy making seedballs.

Every Sunday morning at Northey Street City Farm is the wonderful Organic Farmers Market from 6-12.

It is such a wonderfully buzzing place on Sundays – organic produce, food, coffee, personal products, healing, music, kids activities, yoga and more. People come for more than just shopping – they come to be part of the community here, to be part of a different way of living in the city.

People of all ages come to the city farm on Sunday. It’s a great family hangout. Some talented young kids set up busking too.

“This Place is Very Cool” – I found this note on the blackboard in the middle of city farm – someone had written it late Saturday or very early Sunday morning. I often remember finding notes like this too when I used to live up the road from the city farm in the days of getting it started.  City farms and community gardens touch people in ways we cannot even begin to imagine – and not just those who come and volunteer, learn or work there.

Here in my own permaculture garden, the workshop season for 2016 is coming to a close.

• October 29: The Simple and Abundant Garden (Sold out)
• November 12: Harvest to Table (places available) – In this workshop we’ll be exploring what to do with abundant garden harvest from a permaculture garden. We’ll also look at different storing, preserving and drying techniques to extend the benefits of your seasonal produce. It will be a hands-on experience starting in the garden, learning about when and how to harvest, then moving into the kitchen to get creative and cook a meal with the collected produce.