Farm Chats last year was a hit and we’re continuing on in the new year to chat about all things food & agriculture – you can look forward to hearing from some more panels of innovative farmers and makers, discussions on new and slightly taboo crop choices, a look at how soil health affects your health, and more to come.
Why do we do this? We’ve found ourselves in a community of like-minded humans who want to hear more in-depth discussion about food in Australia, and what better place to hold this than our urban farm in Camperdown. We believe that real-life interaction, conversations and local Australian stories will allow us to take discussion and action to the next level. So get on board, come to a farm chat to be well watered and filled with ideas.
APRIL FARM CHATS is all about Gardening for Mental Health - We’ve all heard the latest about the benefits of being outside with our hands in the soil, and there is a growing movement for Therapeutic Horticulture’ around Australia and the globe. But is there a difference between feeling good in a green space, and actively pursuing gardening and food growing as a therapeutic activity? How do we cultivate healing and community inclusion through growing, and see plants as more than just sources of food and clean air?
We are gathering a panel of horticulturalists, researchers and community workers to chat about their experiences, the relevant research, and the incredible programs they run around Sydney in response to some of these questions.
When: Wednesday April 3rd, at 6pm. Panel will finish by 8pm and beers & chats are welcome to continue.
Cost: $20
Provided: Your first drink (thanks to our brewing mates Young Henrys + nibbles
Bring: Coins for beer donations. All donations go directly to our school education program.
THE PANEL
TONI SALTER. Past President of Cultivate NSW, the Horticultural Therapy Society of NSW. Toni runs her organic veggie gardening business The Veggie Lady with over 15 years of experience building, teaching and writing about edible gardens. In addition to the business her time running horticultural therapy programs, developing sensory gardens through a number of organisations including AFFORD (Australian Foundation For Disability) and Diversional & Recreational Therapy Australia.
DARIUS ROUNTREE-HARRISON. Darius is the President of Street Growth , a not-for-profit focussing on mental health issues, aiming to improve the lives of individuals experiencing homeless and disadvantage through a gardening in a communal setting. Darius is deeply passionate about social equality and providing opportunities, wellbeing and different social environments to assist those in need. He has some super interesting research to share with us about the affects of different spaces on our minds, and years of experience providing green space for people who don’t usually have access to a garden.
PHIL PETTITT. Community Greening Coordinator at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Phil is part educator, part horticultural advisor, but principally is a community development worker and problem solver. He has over 20 years’ experience in the horticulture sector and has provided high level horticultural services to the botanic Gardens Trust, the Office of the Governor and Historic Houses Trust. For the last 6 years Phil has been the coordinator of the Community Green program, working in partnership with many NGOs, local and state government services to inspire and educate social housing residents in community gardening.
ROB GREATHOLDER. Farm Manager at Warrah Biodynamic Farm. Rob has a passion for supporting and empowering others to reach their potential through engagement in practical hands on farming and gardening experiences. As farm manager at Warrah, he facilitates a range of horticultural therapy programs that inspire active participation, inclusion and tangible outcomes with year-round produce and seedlings sold through the onsite farm shop and to a number of weekly cooperatives. Warrah is a Rudolf Steiner organisation providing a range of engaging, responsive services for children and adults with intellectual disability that maximise each person's capacity for self-determination, creativity and contribution.
In conversation with JULIE PRYOR
Julie is a nurse and strong advocate of using ordinary everyday activities and spaces for rehabilitation to ensure relevance to people’s lives. As the Nursing Research and Development Leader at Royal Rehab Julie led the introduction of productive gardening as part of inpatient rehabilitation. All clinical disciplines were encouraged to use the productive garden as a context and mechanism for rehabilitation. This required a shift from a ‘learn to participate’ to a ‘participate to learn’ approach to clinical service delivery. The experience of being or working in the productive garden has been a positive and meaningful experience for many Royal Rehab clients/patients.