This Blog is Closed

Hi all,

I posted about this on the Facebook page, which will keep going as an easy way for me to provide you with links, events, and information. However, I have not had the time or energy to maintain this blog, or have it become the Eco Directory for this area like I envisioned when it started. Thank you to Emma, and to Gaby, who posted here too. There are other places to find the information, like the  ClimateXChange website & forum, the SEE-Change Calendar and others places listed on the left hand side bar. There are several great local eco blogs too, which are listed here, or again, can be found on the left sidebar.

Thank you to those who have supported us over the years, and to those who continue to Follow the Facebook page. I have decided to leave this blog open, even though it won't be updated, as some of the information might still be useful.

Community Hub/ City Farm Workshop - Sunday 18th September

This one has been doing the rounds of the community groups/ eco-warrior people! Sounds like a great concept, thought I'd better share it here, so you can all come along!

The Promise of Summer

Now is the time to... Start Producing your own Backyard Organic Food!

Do you grow or raise any of your own food? Now is a great time to think about growing your own food using organic (or permaculture/ biodynamic) principles, in your own yard! Growing your own food can be hard work, but there are many benefits, including better tasting food, satisfaction from raising food from seed to table, learning new skills and working on your problem solving, protecting biodiversity as you explore the amazing heirloom varieties out there, as well as food security, rising food prices, social networking and health benefits. Here are some courses, events, information & groups to help you get started:

Gardening & Rural ACE Short Courses at CIT Solutions

Eat Your Lawn by the Canberra Environment Centre

Canberra Organic Growers Society (COGS)

Australia's Open Garden Scheme Events (ACT & NSW)

The SLC (Sustainability Learning Community) Organic Garden

The Canberra Gardeners Handbook (book)

Gardenate - Cool/ Mountain Climate Guide for Planting (website)

Australian Plant Market Days

You can buy heirloom seeds from Green Harvest, The Lost Seed, Cornucopia and Eden Seeds.

Please note, The Urban Homesteading Club will be having a get together in early September with the theme of Seed Swapping, please request to join the Facebook group for more information as it becomes available!

Now is the time to... Visit the National Gallery of Australia!

Yes, it's still too cold for too much gardening, or for visiting a Nature Reserve (unless you are going for the snow), and we've done the National Museum a few times already... so, where is a nice place to visit in Canberra on a cold (but sunny) Sunday afternoon, free to get in, nice cafe for afternoon tea, and something for the kids? The National Gallery of Australia is where! We've been wanting to visit this attraction for 3 years now. I know they had a small Childrens Section, though that was a little disappointing for little kids really, but the kids were still entertained as we moved reasonably quickly through the exhibitions (avoiding stressing out the hovering 'security'/ guides too much!) We all loved the walk through the Aboriginal Memorial, we also went outside for a little while to see the 'pears' & 'big ball' (only place you can take photos), and the 'plops' (Minimalist section) were quite interesting for the kids too. There were so many great artworks, from famous (the Jackson Pollock, the Monet, a Matisse) to wonderful Australian talent like you might have studied at highschool (Streeton, Roberts, Crowley, Nolan) to the interesting Surrealism, and beautiful Impressionists. Of course we explained why there is a lot of nudes in art, but quickly avoided the bit-too-rude-for-kids Brett Whiteley. Though my husband and I would like to go again for a longer, more adult look, it was still a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours, perfect for a Winters afternoon!

Revival of The Urban Homesteading Club - Sharing Knowledge and Learning Skills!

Would you like to join a group of like-minded people, getting to know each other, learning skills, sharing knowledge and swapping produce & information?

Request to join the group & find out details of upcoming events at The Urban Homesteading Club Facebook group! (Or in Facebook search, put The Urban Homesteading Club (Canberra & Surrounds)…)

What is this Group All About

This is a group of like-minded folks who have an 'urban homestead', are in the process of setting one up, or are simply interested in some aspects of this 'lifestyle'. We hope to get together once a month for a chat, cup of tea or nibbles, and to learn some new skills, gain some knowledge and even exchange produce! We hope to do farm visits, hold workshops, visit each others backyards and share information too.

What is this Urban Homesteading?

Based on the notion of homesteading, as a lifestyle of simple, agrarian self-sufficiency. Traditionally, a homestead is a smallholding farm with a farmers residence, or either a single building, or collection of buildings grouped together on a large agricultural holding, such as a ranch or station.

To me, urban homesteading is about self sufficient living in the city, or a non-rural area. It's like having a farm in your backyard. A food forest in your garden. Equipment and resources in your shed. And the skills and knowledge to provide some basic aspects of living for yourself and your family.

"Urban homesteading is an affirmation of the simple pleasures of life." From The Urban Homestead book, by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen.

I don't know about you, but I am never going to reach full self sufficiency where, & how, I am living in Canberra now, so building community is one of the best skills I could achieve. There are many skills I'd like under my belt, though, so why not create a community group, who share knowledge and learn skills together.


Things an Urban Homesteader might do:

Including, but are certainly not limited to:

• growing your own organic food, from propagation, seed saving, organic pest solutions, homemade organic fertiliser, composting, soil conditioning, worm farming, container vege's, harvesting, bush tucker, herbs and more...
• preserving, esp. the food you have grown, including dehydrating, canning (in jars), making preserves, jam and pickles
• raising backyard animals, from worm farms, to chickens, rabbits or maybe even a goat, as well as bees, and fish
• making your own: food from 'scratch' - including yoghurt, labna and cheese; beer, wine and other beverages; bread, crackers and pasta
• making your own: clothes, homewares and presents - from knitting, to sewing, to crochet, spinning & dying wool, felting, reconstructing; woodworking, craft and many more
• making your own: soap, toiletries and beauty products - such as skin care, and hair care
• first aid, camping and bush survival skills
• cleaning, and housekeeping, using homemade natural cleaning agents, and homegrown/ home made tools, plus pest control, equipment repair and maintenance
• frugal living - being resourceful, making do, meal planning and using up leftovers