<<-- Back to the course calendar

Food Security and Seed Saving Workshop with Kay Baxter, at the PRI's Zaytuna Farm, NSW, Australia

Starts Feb 25, 2013 and runs for 5 day(s).

This is an intensive 5-day workshop designed to give you the basic understandings necessary to grow and save your own seeds, and to ensure that the seeds you save will be high quality, for longevity and with the potential for optimal nutrition. While seed saving is not difficult, there are many things to learn if you are serious about ensuring seed lines retain their genetic integrity, and viability. You'll learn how to set up seed database and admin systems to keep track of everything. Whether you are planning to set up a seed bank for a larger community, or would like to address food security for your immediate family, here you will find the skills and resources required. Processes taught are very low tech, and could be adapted to suit any situation, including rural villages without electricity or technology.

Course Outline:

Genetic Strength and Biodiversity
what seeds to choose
plant guilds
open pollination, hybrids and GE
heritage seeds
local adaptation
planning for climate change

Nutrient Dense Food, Strong Seeds
getting the minerals back into the right relationships
supporting microbiology
managing nutrient cycles
growing soils - addressing the carbon cycle
testing and analysis
techniques for long term self sufficiency in the garden

Seed Production
saving true seed, keeping varieties pure
timing and planning
perennials and vegetative reproduction
strengthening genetics
determining selection

Seed Processing
harvesting
cleaning and drying seed.
appropriate storage techniques
records, and labeling

Storage and Future Use
adaptation and environment
accession numbers
insurance seeds
community seed banks
seed exchange and networking.

About the Teacher:

Kay Baxter is a professional seed saver, an educator in the fields of Nutrient Dense Food Production and Regenerative Garden design and Management, and the co-founder and Managing Director of NZ's Koanga Institute. She has authored many books, and continues to be a leading researcher in the field of human health in relation to our environment.

After attending the first Permaculture Course taught in NZ in 1984, Kay has been inspired to work closely with the principles of permaculture in a way that allows NZ home gardeners to work towards self reliance. She has worked as a design consultant, designing permaculture gardens and orchards around NZ, and developed the Koanga Institute to be a globally significant seed saving and educational organisation. In recent years her research has been focused on bringing the techniques of Biological Agriculture to methods suitable for home gardeners, to regenerate soils and produce high quality nutrient dense food. The essential links between environmental health and human health are an integral part of Kay's work and her passion for teaching and sharing her knowledge continues to inform and inspire people to positive action.

The Koanga Institute

Kay is co-founder of the Koanga Institute, a NZ charitable trust. The Koanga Institute holds a globally unique collection of more than 300 heritage fruit trees, 800 heritage seed lines and a large collection of perennial vegetables. Kay continues to be the Managing Director of the Koanga Institute, where she oversees seed production, teaches workshops and manages the research and education program.

Education

Kay has been a permaculture design tutor at many PDCs around NZ, alongside Bob Corker. She has also taught extensively on the subjects of orchard design, BioIntensive gardening, Nutrient Dense Food production and seed saving.

Publications

- Bi-annual articles for the Koanga Institute catalogues
- Change of Heart - The ecology of Nourishing food.
- Koanga Garden Guide - a complete guide to gardening organically and sustainably.
- Design your own Orchard - Bringing Permaculture Design to the ground in Aotearoa
- Body and Soul (Co-Author) - a recipe book for home gardeners
- What's Happening? How to manage your Permaculture Home Garden / Orchard month by month.

Important information about this course

Course hours:

9am - 5pm Mon - Thurs, Fri 9am - 12 noon

Pricing options

All prices are in Australian dollars. The fee for the course is $1100 including GST and includes meals. Pay the course in full at least 42 days prior to the start date and your course fee will be discounted to $990.

How to Pay: You can pay via Paypal, credit card, direct bank deposit or cheque. Click here for details.

***Accommodation and other Details***

Information on directions, accommodation/facilities and Visas can be found here.

For further information for this course please contact education@permaculture.org.au.

Course pricing / bookings

Prices in Australian dollars