FIELD TRIP - Elaine Bennett's Farm, Albany - Saturday 31 October 2pm

[Angie Gibbons]

Biodynamic Organic Gardening Group October field trip Hi everyone Elaine Bennett's Farm, Albany Elaine and her family have 12 Acres which has been run organically over the past year and a half and biodynamically since early this year when Elaine completed the biodynamic course at Taruna College. They have just started the 3 year process to officially gain certification from Demeter for growing herbs for teas and cosmetic usage. The farm has sheep, cows and goats. Vegetables and herbs are grown solely for their own consumption and use (but will be expanded under the guidelines of Demeter over next couple of years). When: Saturday 31 October 2pm Cost: $5 new members + gold coin koha Where: 40 Attwood Road, Paremoremo, Albany What to bring: Bring some food to share for afternoon tea Something for the trade table Bookings: Ph 826 4276 or email [e-mail] Carpooling: Meet at Sustainable Living Centre, New Lynn 1.20pm General plan... The plan is to meet for a talk on crop rotation of different vegetable/fruit types to keep the soil at its optimum and reduce disease. Stir CPP (20 mins) or 500(1 hour) depending on how many people turn up or how energetic we feel, then apply to Elaine's 4 acre paddock that has been closed off for hay to be cut at the end of the year. Great day as Moon in opposition to Saturn. Have afternoon tea and cake and have a wander round the property and discuss anything of interest. Hopefully Elaine's bees will have arrived which would be another point of interest and discussion. Directions: Take the Northern Motorway over harbour bridge. Take Exit 412 Greville Rd onto Albany Expressway 17. Drive through Albany village then turn left on The Avenue, then left on Paremoremo Rd till the far end. Attwood Rd is on the left. No 40 is your destination. Many thanks Therese Mangos Manager Sustainable Living Centre EcoMatters Environment Trust 4 Olympic Place, PO Box 15 215 New Lynn, Waitakere City 0640 Tel [phone] Fax [phone] www.ecomatters.org.nz