Rumi
Mila & Mattia
Grubba, the ginger pig
The goat
Rescued as a kid when it's mother was shot in the wild, this goat is of the tame feral variety and is on loan from some people down the road.
His name is Babe, but he gets called 'Baby'. After this trial period, we will be able to determine if it's worth having our own goat one day. Although a female goat could potentially be better as the male goats are more likely to bunt and be aggressive.
So far, Babe is keeping the grass down around his little house. Hopefully he will munch down the blackberries so they won't get out of control again.
Grunt - tail of misunderstood pigs
Grunt - tail of misunderstood pigs is a 10 minute film depicting how pigs are social and intelligent beings. As domesticated animals, pigs are often seen as an object or a good rather than an animal. This documentary sheds light on the fact that pigs can be great pets. It is uncomfortable for many
I am Cat
- Paperback
- 32 pages
- Colour illustrations
- Spine: perfect sewnbound
- Width: 280mm
- Height: 210mm
Trees for animal fodder
- Fresh leaves / foliage
- Fruits and berries
- Nuts and seeds
My motivation
Having grown up in rural New Zealand on a small organic farm with no electricity, low impact living was an obvious choice but not one I had really contemplated until about 2005.
I had lived in several cities since leaving home to study at high school. The urban lifestyle was exciting and was, at the time, a prerequisite for my career path into software and web design. After some time I decided to get outside my comfort zone and embarked on the obligatory overseas experience.
During my travels I encountered poor people, unfortunate conditions of over population, pollution and conflict yet almost everywhere a strong sense of family and community. This inspired me to return home with a new appreciation for the fantastic privilege we have here in New Zealand.
At first I just fitted back into my old life in Wellington but the more I looked about the more I realised that this experiment called civilization that we have come to take for granted is headed for rough times and possibly the rocks.
It became evident that serious issues like species extinction, peak oil and climate change pose an enormous challenge to humanity and that even minor disruptions to our 'just in time' way of life would have severe impacts on city living.
So I worked hard and kept my eyes peeled for a suitable location that might shelter me from the coming chaos. I wanted to be able to garden, raise a few animals, avoid rising sea level and generally attempt to survive the converging catastrophes of the 21st century.
Ride on mower - fossil fuel extravagance
Bring on the old mower I 'inherited' from my father. Time will tell if it's a useful tool or a lemon...
Benjamin
Food Forests, Permaculture & Water Harvesting
During a tour of the property, you'll learn about planning an integrated system that includes plants and animals, natural methods of fertilising and soil conservation. Olmec will also demonstrate how to drought-proof your property using swales; that is, earth-shaping to harvest water.
Contribution: 2 time-bank credits or $10 suggested fee
To register contact: Belinda Meares, 03 314 3406, tbhlearningexchange@gmail.com
(Car-pooling can be arranged).
Pigs in the young food forest
During the day the animals are free to roam up to 1 hectare of emerging food forest which is broken into 8 sections (paddocks) of various sizes.
Many of our pig fences are constructed from short log posts driven into the ground and joined by a horizontal run of old corrugated iron since there was stacks of it here. Wire fences will not contain a pig, they can force their way under and through.
We find that by providing plenty of space and regulating their access to different areas means they get plenty of variety, don't over graze and start interfering with young trees or rooting up the ground.
Ecosystem restoration and increased biodiversity
Humans have a nasty habit of displacing or exterminating any organism that doesn't provide an obvious short term benefit (with the exception of some native species). We now know that biodiversity is the key to a healthy, functional and resilient ecosystem.
By including and encouraging a diverse range of plants, animals and insects we produce systems that are naturally harmonious and balanced and therefore require less human management and are less susceptible to climatic fluctuation, pest invasion and other impacts.
Grass fed kunekune pigs
Provided the pigs have plenty of grass and other green edible herbage they seem to leave young trees alone. We have found that at certain times leaves of peach, almond and apple may be palatable.
Pigs love to rub and scratch against things, especially after emerging from a muddy bath in the swale. Consider having a suitable tree or post nearby.
Make the most of it
- Continue to explore the forest garden at your own pace
- Visit the animals
- Relax and enjoy your meals
- Visit nearby attractions such as Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura, Cheviot Hills Reserve, Gore Bay
- Socialise with others or spend quiet time by yourself enjoying reading, art, meditation, yoga
Melisa
I've written and illustrated 4 children's picture books and they are all available for purchase here on our website.
I also have an interest in health and well being from a natural and alternative approach, and have a good understanding of plants and their various health benefits. Having had some health issues in recent years, I've explored many alternative options to mainstream medicine. I can advise on my own personal approach to healing from endometriosis and ovarian cysts (endometrioma) through a combination of gluten-free diet, plant based vegan diet, herbal supplementation, visualisation and meditation. It took time and some hard work but I believe my lifestyle changes made a significant difference and helped me avoid another surgery.
Please feel free to contact me if you have similar health concerns and you would like further information about my approach.
Reforestation idea
Who and what is blockhill Blockhill is the eco-living arran...
Butterfly weed
Rota and Mowa the kunekune pigs
We picked up a deal with some guy giving away these 6 month old kunekune girls.
Very friendly, seemingly live on grass and hopefully turns the ground for planting.
Optimal land use - resilient farming
Demand white clover
The myth about tree & pasture incompatibility - photographic evidence
This photo, taken a few hundred meters from my home on a conventional sheep and beef farm during the worst drought in decades is evidence that certain tree species can actually improve the performance of grass. If only people were as observant as they are quick to dismiss the value of trees in the landscape.
Hi everyone,I'm Melisa Sinclair, a NZ author and illustrator...
Hare Hunt
Animals biodiversity Humans have a nasty habit of displac...
Living on contour - working with water flow
Learn about the art of land shaping for natural rainfall catchment, a practical guide to water harvesting and management.
Make the most of the water available, direct surplus water away from wet areas towards dry areas.
Use swales and terraces to halt the flow of water and nutrient off the land and allow it infiltrate and hydrate the soil.
Michael Pollan - "Deep Agriculture"
Trees and Tracks
Hunting Gathering The hills and gullies around are an abu...
Power, petrol to cost more under Govt emissions plan
Latitude Magazine
Words by Lucinda Diack, Words and more
Photos by Jane Thompson, Pegasus Communications
Chooks for weeding and soil enhancement
Rather than unleash the chickens in the garden I decided to take the garden (at least bits of it) to them.
'Alarming' plight of coral reefs
A third of the world's reef-building coral species are facing extinction.
That is the stark conclusion from the first global study to assess the extinction risks of corals.
Tips and hints for land buyers
Nitrogen fixing plant species suited to temperate climate such as North Canterbury New Zealand
Olmec, indigenous peoples of central America
For those of you who are not sure, the Olmecs were a culture of ancient peoples inhabiting the East Mexico lowlands around 800 BC. They are often regarded as the Mother Culture of later Middle American civilizations and are famous for their colossal carved heads.
In a strange twist of fate, it turns out my wife, whose grandmother is Salvadorian, may have a trace of Olmec ancestry.
Competition the key for corporates
Thornless Honey Locust Seed
Adventure, learning volunteer exchange We invite applicati...
Grafting calendar
- Collecting desired varieties of scion wood from healthy trees while they are dormant. For deciduous fruit and nut trees this is mid winter or late June to July in New Zealand
- Grafting the stored scions onto the appropriate rootstocks in early to mid spring when growth is commencing. Here in North Canterbury this is from early August to to mid October.
Correct timing is only part of the grafting process. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the technique, compatibility and after care for the best results.
Understanding your location and goals
- Initial remote landscape evaluation based on satellite imagery, digital mapping and local climate data
- Phone conversation to discuss and outline objectives, time line and budget
- Determine available resources and assets such as water flows, mulch material, nutrient sources, shelter, buildings, machinery
- Potentially organise a site visit to assess existing plantings and observe local conditions (wind, sun, soil etc.)