Fiona Naismith reflects on last weekend’s Toru Trail event, at Mangaroa Farms, where we experienced how working in harmony with the soil microbiome can foster abundant growth and biodiversity. She also shares Mangaroa farmer Cam Dixon’s top tips for soil health and his secrets to nutrient dense food.
On Sunday we had a wonderful sunny visit to Adam and Tink's place in Peka Peka. It's a magical place overlooking Kāpiti Island, with border collies every where and permaculture gardens and a Syntropic food forest surrounding the house.
Our day started with a cuppa and greeting some new and familiar faces. For me a visit to Gary and Emily’s place is always a special moment as it was the site of so much of my wonderful permaculture learning on the transformational 2021 modular PDC. There is a wonderful write up here for those interested in this style of learning permaculture.
Hella welcomed us at the gate, on the spot where she and her partner Joep stood 15 years ago, looking at bare paddocks, seeing the potential and following their intuition. We walked through the rosehip plantation and along the 12 year old coppiced gum trees in the shelter belt to the old scout hall which was the one original building already there when Hella and Jeop arrived. It is a perfect place for this type of community gathering.
Timing is everything! I am lucky to count both Doris and her daughter Silvia as good friends: I was enjoying a lovely meal with Silvia and said ‘Is your mom planning on doing a permaculture day soon?’ Silvia said she didn’t know, but within 24 hours Doris had sent the invitation for April! I always enjoy the drive up from Welly and was greeted by Bob, Doris and 15 participants for the first Toru Trail event.
We wish to provide a bit of context to our ‘newcomers’ of where Toru Education has come from, and how we went on it to rekindle its format:
The mission of Toru Education is ‘to provide experiential learning opportunities that nurture people, planet and spirit’.
The name Toru (three) connects and grounds us to the three permaculture ethics of
people care, earth care, fair share. It also connects us to the threefold teaching style of engaging hands, heart and head. For Toru, education is:
Article originally published on May 6, 2021 by Doris Zuur
Kia ora Toru friend,
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I am deeply committed to co-creating the space for 20 people living together for 15 days and supporting the growth of a caring and resilient community where teaching and learning from each other seamlessly occur. It is also called a Permaculture Course! It is difficult to describe what actually happens in that time. Yes, we have a diverse and rich programme and yes we are a team of skilled and experienced teachers at two beautiful venues (first at the Hanawera farm and then the Waihoanga centre, both in Otaki).
