Saturday 28 August

Fermenters Kitchen 9 am to 4 pm
Limited places. Expand your bacterial horizons, cultivate your prebiotic oligosaccharides and join us for a day of cultured beverages, foraged fruits, pickled veggies and other wild microbial wonders. In this hands-on workshop you’ll learn the art of traditional food processing and get to sample and enjoy healthy and nutritious fermented foods.

To book or for more information, please contact us or download a booking form.  Or why not give the gift of sustainable living to a loved one with a Workshop Gift Voucher?

This will provide an opportunity for our members and those not regularly involved in farm chats under the mango tree to help us be more self-reliant as an organisation, and be a better model for “living sustainably in the city”.

• What are better/more creative ways City Farm can generate its own core funding so we can continue providing services?
• What other outside sources of funding and resources can CF tap into?
• Environmental sustainability – what can we do better or differently?
• And caring for people – how do we attract and support our members, volunteers and staff?

There will be facilitated processes around getting input on these on the day, so we can feed the information to our Teams and Management Committee. We also invite people to email community@nscf.org.au with suggestions – by 25^th August please.

And speaking of keeping sustained – there will be a delicious lunch provided for all participants!

This monthly of  recent news and upcoming events is emailed to all members and subscribers.  Continue reading for this month’s issue and the opportunity to sign up for future updates.

Date-claimers

Sat 21 Aug – NSCF Sustainability Forum – 9:30am – 12:30pm
Fri 3 Sep – Friday PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate) commences
Sat  11 Sep – Kooii Album Launch (hosting external event)
Sat 18 Sep – PDC 2-week intensive commences
Sat  18 Sep – Spring Equinox Event (TBC)
Sun 26 Sep – Hosting Museum of Brisbane Prejudice and Pride Family Day (TBC)
Sat  2 Oct - Next round, Saturday Organic Gardening Course
Sat 23 Oct – Full Moon Bush Dance

Commitment for Funding for New Building

Last Thursday, the Federal Minister for Climate Change, Senator Penny Wong, visited the farm with our local member, Arch Bevis. We have been working with Arch for a few months regarding extra funding to complete the new education building, and during the visit Penny made an election commitment to fund Phase 2 with $130,000. This will include a green roof, solar energy system, car-park facilities, lighting, landscaping and furniture.  We sincerely thank them both for this commitment. The farm invites and celebrates offers from all groups and organisations – our door is open!

During the visit, Senator Wong congratulated the farm for its dedication to teaching people how to garden, and in supporting local food systems.  She shared an awesome lunch made almost totally from our own kitchen gardens, which are so productive at the moment.

New Permaculture Design Certificate Courses

We have two more Permaculture Design Certificate courses to run this year, both starting shortly. These courses provide a great overview of all things Permaculture to really get you started. There are spaces available in both, but please get in your registration forms soon to ensure your place.

The Friday PDC commences on 3rd September, and the 2-week intensive runs through the school holidays, commencing 18th September. Go to Courses & Workshops for details, or contact Kirsty on (07)38578775, Tuesday – Thursday, 10am – 4pm.

Working Bees – Earth Rendering & Painting on new building

We need vollies to help do earth rendering work next Thursday 19 August and Tuesday 24th.  Check through the office closer to these dates (it depends on drying time). We will be working all day from 8:30. This is a great opportunity to learn about this technique used in straw-bale construction. Secondly, it looks like the office will be ready in the last week of August but we need to paint the alcove and stairs with up to 4 coats of paint. So, could we all pitch in and do the necessary painting?  The more of us involved the quicker it gets done and then the farm can ‘move in’.    -  Gav Hardy, Design Coordinator, Northey Street City Farm.

Have your say – Community input into NSCF sustainability – Forum

On election day, Saturday 21 August, step out and have your say about some things at NSCF as well!  We are hosting a morning forum, 9:30am – 12:30pm, to gather input into our Sustainability Project . This will provide opportunity for our members and those not regularly involved in farm chats on these things, to help us be more self-reliant as an organisation, and be a better model for “living sustainably in the city”.

• What are better/more creative ways CF can generate its own core funding so we can continue providing services?
• What other outside sources of funding and resources can CF tap into?
• Environmental sustainability – what can we do better or differently?
• And caring for people – how do we attract and support our members, volunteers and staff?

There will be facilitated processes around getting input on these and more on the day, so we can feed the information to our Teams and Management Committee. We also invite people to email community@nscf.org.au with suggestions – by 25^th August please. And speaking of keeping sustained – there will be a yummy lunch provided for all participants!

Organic Gardening Course:  “Grow Your Own Green Fingers”

On Saturday 2 October 2010, the next series in the accredited horticulture training begins. This is a great opportunity to learn all about all things gardening. In this next series, people have the opportunity to learn how to turn a single shrub into a hedge or grow just the right number of salad greens each month. Also to try those heritage seeds and learn to save and store your own, as well as learning more about the nursery industry. Go to Courses & Workshops for details.

‘Sustainable Living’ Workshops

Saturday 14 August:
9 – 12 - Growing Food in Small Spaces
1.30 – 4.30 – Growing and Propagating Herbs
1.30 – 4.30 - Building a Local Permaculture Community

Saturday 21 August
9 – 12 – Urban chooks: Keeping chickens in your backyard
9 – 4 – Bamboo Construction
7.30 – 5 – Tree Change Bus
9 – 4 – Fermenter’s Kitchen

Saturday 4 September
1.30 – 4.30 - Interesting Edible Plants.
9 – 4 – Introduction to Permaculture (First day of 2-day workshop)

Saturday 11 September
9 – 12 – Designing a Productive Urban Space.
9 – 4 – Introduction to Permaculture. (Second day of 2-day workshop)

For full details, please see Courses & Workshops

The Joining

NSCF has an emerging partnership with the Genesis Foundation and ‘The Joining’.  The coming event, ‘The Joining’ is about men and women gathering in common unity, and is held on the Sunshine Coast from 23 – 26 September.  Full details of this great event at The Joining

Work for the Dole Program

NSCF is starting a new WFD program with HELP ENTERPRISES. Anyone out there who is on Centrelink benefits, and has some community hours as part of their obligations, or might want this to be so, may be very interested in doing this here in our Permaculture Community. To enquire about eligibility and joining, contact Help Enterprises at  ben@helpenterprises.com.au

New Staff at City Farm

We welcome two new staff members to our community:

Gill Moore has been appointed as the new Tours and School Tours Coordinator. She has been a valued volunteer and tour guide for some time now, and we wish her all the best in this important position. She takes over from Claire Ward, who we thank so much for all the skill and energy she brought to the role. We wish her well in her emerging roles elsewhere, but are so pleased that she will be continuing in the education program at the farm.

Gemma Schuch has been appointed as our new Volunteers Coordinator. She will be facilitating the recruitment, induction and support for our volunteers across all farm activities, and we are please she can take this on. Gemma has been a big part of the farm in the past as a student and volunteer. The good news is that Gary Le Clerc, who brought so much to this role over the last 12 months, will continue as a volunteer at the farm. Love your work Gary!

‘Village Life’ Social Enterprise Project

This is off and running, with a great energy brought into the stage area of the farm, to complement the food sold in the car-park area during our Sunday Markets. We encourage our members and friends to support these new enterprises.  All stall or general inquiries to socialenterprise@nscf.org.au please.

Volunteers to take on roles

Saturday volunteering After some false starts, we are aiming to provide a Saturday “Spring Mornings in the Garden” volunteer opportunities through the next season. We apologise to those people who have been waiting for a while to be able to help on the weekends, but stay tuned to the September eNews for full details!

Specific Roles There are a number of facilitation or micro-management roles on offer for people to undertake here on a regular basis. These include Membership Secretary, managing the noticeboards, caring for a particular area/garden, managing tools, coordinating one meal a week in the kitchen, even coordinating the kitchen lunches etc. PS – Thank you to Rosemarie Severign for resuming her role as librarian, and to Justine Reilly for becoming editor for our quarterly newsletter.

Market Garden Simon is looking for people to take on some responsibilities at the Market Garden – a wonderful chance to learn and get your hands dirty! He’s here at the farm Tuesdays  and of course at the stall at our Sunday Markets. You can also contact him directly on 0415 844935 or at isles.of.macaco@gmail.com

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Our newly-launched Village Life cultural precinct is now in full swing .  We’ve appreciated all feedback received so far, and welcome any further comments either here on our Facebook page.  If you have yet to see this new addition to our Sunday Organic Market lineup, take a look at our new Village Life photo gallery for a small sample of the friendly atmosphere you’re missing!

Position Title: Volunteer Coordinator
Hours: Five hours per week
Wages: $28.40 per hour includes entitlements and conditions as defined in the NSCF staff agreement.
Review Date: 60 days from commencement of employment
Start Date: 3rd August 2010
Location: Northey Street City Farm, 16 Victoria St, Windsor 4030
Enquiries: Email info@nscf.org.au or phone (07) 3857 8775, Tuesday – Thursday, 10am – 4pm
Applications: Please address each of the Selection Criteria, and send in with resume (including details of two referees) by email or post to the above address by Close of Business, Friday 23 July

Purpose of the position

• Engage with and assist volunteers at Northey Street City Farm, with the aim that they feel welcome and accepted in the day-to-day operations of the farm
• Implement existing volunteer programs in accord with NSCF’s Policies & Procedures
• Develop new programs which encourage recruitment, retention and upskilling of volunteers, e.g. coordinating mentored training
• Match volunteers’ current and aspirational skills with the needs of the farm

Organisational relationships of the Volunteer Coordinator

• Accountable to:        NSCF Management Committee through the Operations Team
• External Contacts:    Community organisations
• Internal Contacts:      Volunteers, Team Coordinators, Committee members, other staff

Roles & Responsibilities

• Engage with volunteers at the farm. Facilitate where possible so that tasks are appropriate to volunteers’ abilities, interests and aspirations.
• Ensure that volunteers are accepted and encouraged in an inclusive way
• Liaise with Site, Nursery and Market Garden Coordinators to ensure that volunteers are engaged in tasks suited to their abilities
• Coordinate Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings (8:30am – 11:30am) so that someone is available to ‘meet and greet’ new volunteers/visitors to the farm; ensuring they feel welcome, informed, and are directed to appropriate activities
• Conduct or coordinate weekly, scheduled farm tours for visitors and new volunteers
• Carry out the induction/orientation program for new volunteers, including:

NSCF Handbook and registration/confirmation procedure

WH&S induction

• Implement the NSCF Sustainability Project’s Volunteer Strategic Plan (to be finalised). Examples may include:

Develop a recruitment/retention program for volunteers

Set up monthly volunteer meetings/forums where (current & past) volunteers have the opportunity to exchange feedback with each other and also give feedback to the farm

Coordinate or edit a regular volunteer newsletter

Coordinate regular mentored groups (gardening, etc.), including weekend schedules

Coordinate/liaise with regular workshops where volunteers can learn new skills

• Review, edit and update NSCF Volunteer Policies & Procedures
• Review, edit and update NSCF Handbook so that it remains in accord with all current NSCF Policies & Procedures
• Review, update and coordinate NSCF Volunteer Orientation/Induction program
• Participate in team meetings
• Participate in the development of site planning, organisational development and visioning of NSCF to represent volunteers’ needs
• Liaise with relevant staff re promotional material, environmental sustainability programs and grant applications
• Assist in applying for funding that will improve the facilities, training options and pathways management for volunteers at NSCF
• Ensure Work, Health and Safety requirements are maintained relative to volunteers
• Organise or coordinate occasional volunteer events (e.g. annual volunteer’s breakfast)

Selection Criteria:

Essential

• Good interpersonal skills, empathy and leadership qualities
• Good organisational and program management skills
• Sound computing and communication skills
• Acceptance of Northey Street City Farm’s Vision
• Understanding of Permaculture or commitment to acquire such

Desirable

• Understanding of and familiarity with Northey Street City Farm and its operations
• Experience in organising groups/meetings
• Experience in liaising with community organisations
• Enthusiasm for gardening

Information about Northey Street City Farm Association Inc.

Northey Street City Farm (NSCF) is a 1.6 hectare community garden situated 3km from the Brisbane CBD, with good public transport connections. NSCF aims to be a model of sustainable practices in an urban environment. Since its founding in 1994, NSCF has developed vegetable and herb gardens, fruit and bush food orchards, chicken runs, a green waste recycling centre, an organic nursery and an Organic Growers’ Market. NSCF runs an active volunteers program, employment programs including Work-for-the-Dole and Community Jobs Plan, plus accredited horticulture and permaculture training programs.

Our Vision

We aim to create a working model of a co-operative, community based, urban permaculture farm which demonstrates, promotes, educates, celebrates and advocates for environmental and economic sustainability in a healthy, diverse and supportive community.

Please address each of the Selection Criteria, and send in with resume (including details of two referees) by email or post to the address listed above by Close of Business, Friday 23 July

The Farm Tours Coordinator is mainly responsible for coordinating and promoting visits by schools, community groups and other organisations, to NSCF as an educational activity including BCC programs and activities.

Hours:  The role is 8 hours per week coordination, plus tutor duties as required for school and tour groups (the hours of which will be variable).

Commencement: A commencement date of 2 August 2010 is envisaged.

Enquiries: Wendy Marchment, Education Coordinator, email: info@nscf.org.au

Work Location: Northey Street City Farm, 16 Victoria St, Windsor 4030.

To apply:

Please submit your Resume and an application addressing each of the selection criteria in the position description, along with why you would like to work in this position.

Submit your application via email to info@nscf.org.au by COB Friday 23^rd July, 2010.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position: Farm Tours Coordinator

Award: NSCF Staff Agreement

Hours: Eight hours per week coordination on a day or days to be negotiated, plus tutor duties as required with school or tour groups (Tutor hours are variable).

Salary: NSCFW Level Education 1: $25.60 per hour plus entitlements

Entitlements: Four weeks holiday per year, 9% super contribution, Workcover, sick leave, special leave, training leave, as defined in the NSCF Staff Agreement

Conditions: As defined in the NSCF Staff Agreement

Responsible to: Management Committee through the Education Team / Coordinator

Job Description

Primarily to coordinate and promote visits by schools, community groups and other organisations, to NSCF as an educational activity.

Responsibilities

• Promote school and group tours, Brisbane City Council (BCC) activities and other visits to NSCF as appropriate to provide an educational experience and enhance knowledge of permaculture and the Farm activities.
• Plan the program of activities for school group visits.
• Coordinate booking and payment systems, and keep track of financials
• Maintain a blue card register
• Recruit and train new tutors and organise tutors for school group visits and appropriate staff for group tours or BCC activities
• Liaise with schools, community groups and other organisations as appropriate in regard to their requirements.
• Conduct promotional activities in consultation with the Promotions Coordinator
• Support and manage the school tutors team and the Brisbane City Council workshop facilitators, providing feedback as appropriate with a view to continuous quality improvement
• Develop the school gardens area as an experiential learning space

Selection Criteria

Essential

1. Qualifications – have completed a Permaculture Design Course
2. High level of interpersonal and liaison skills
3. High level of organisation skills with attention to detail
4. Experience with liaising with staff at various levels in government, community organisations and/or schools.
5. Demonstrated ability in preparing a variety of programs for tour groups and activities, for schools and the wider public
6. Excellent written and oral communication skills
7. Good level computer literacy with email, Internet, word processing and spreadsheet skills.
8. Hold, or be willing to apply for, a Blue card ie ‘Working with children check’

Desirable

1. Teaching experience
2. Experience in writing grant submissions
3. Knowledge of the school system in Queensland

Working Environment

Northey Street City Farm is a non-profit community project on the banks of Brisbane’s Breakfast Creek in the inner city suburb of Windsor. It has been developed for people to enjoy and participate in using the principles of Permaculture. It is also intended to be a demonstration site where people of all ages can learn through practical, hands on experience.

NSCF Mission Statement

NSCF is a dynamic, creative and diverse city farm based on mutuality, innovation and environmental sustainability.

NSCF Vision

NSCF aims to create a working model of a cooperative, community based, urban permaculture farm which demonstrates, promotes, educates, celebrates and advocates for environmental and economic sustainability in a healthy, diverse and supportive community.

Please submit your resume and an application addressing each of the selection criteria in the position description, along with why you would like to work in this position, to info@nscf.org.au (or to the postal address listed above) by Close Of Business Friday 23^rd July, 2010.

A colourful and vibrant cultural precinct.

Northey Street City Farm is working closely with twelve small social enterprises through the Village Life project, providing resources, support and training to help these initiatives become sustainable in the long term.

The Village Life project centres around a colourful and vibrant cultural marketplace that provides a space for artisans, crafts-people, healers and other creative folk to sell their wares. Running in conjunction with the Northey Street City Farm weekly organic farmers’ markets, it provides locally made and ecologically sustainable products for our community.

The marketplace is open every Sunday from 8am to 12noon, and with the chai café selling delicious cakes and brekkie options, as well as lots of space for the kids to play and explore, it’s the perfect place to spend a Sunday morning.

View our Village Life photo gallery!

Social enterprises are an intrinsic part of a healthy and sustainable local economy and are by definition profit-making ventures that are designed to benefit the local community both through their activities and the investment of their profits.

It’s also hoped that the project will foster the development of a network of social enterprises across the region and provide a framework for the support of social enterprise in other community organisations.

Interested in being considered as a stallholder at the Village Life Marketplace?
At present there is a waiting list for stallholders.  However, if your product is locally made and/or second-hand, or if your services support a stronger local community, please complete the expression of interest form and email it to socialenterprise@nscf.org.au.

If you’d like to find out more about the Village Life project please email the Project Coordinator at socialenterprise@nscf.org.au or phone Northey Street City Farm on 3857 8775.

The Village Life project is being implemented with the support of the Brisbane City Council Social Economy Team.

Village Life officially opened on 10am Sunday 25 July with Coucillors Geraldine Knapp and David Hinchliffe.

To find out more, please email socialenterprise@nscf.org.au or phone the City Farm office on (07) 3857 8775.

The Permablitz project has the admirable goal of transforming ordinary backyards into edible permaculture gardens through dedicated one-day volunteer sessions.  With a “learning by doing” approach, everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of experience – it’s about sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and getting to know some like-minded permaculture fans over a cup of tea.

More information can be found on the Permablitz Brisbane website.

Northey Street City Farm is working closely with twelve new social enterprises through the Village Life project, providing resources, support and training to help these initiatives become sustainable in the long term.

The Village Life project centres around a colourful and vibrant cultural precinct that will provide a space for artisans, crafts-people, healers, visual and performing artists and other creative folk to sell their wares and spruik their services.

The Village Life precinct will officially open at 10am on Sunday 25 July in conjunction with the Northey Street City Farm weekly organic farmers’ markets. The launch will feature music, food, great coffee and entertainment, and will be opened by Brisbane City Counsellor Geraldine Knapp.

Following the launch, the precinct will be open every Sunday morning from 8am to midday and, with comfortable seating and children’s play area nearby, is the perfect place to spend a Sunday morning.

Social enterprises are an intrinsic part of a healthy and sustainable local economy and are by definition profit-making ventures that are designed to benefit the local community both through their activities and the investment of their profits.

It is also hoped that the project will foster the development of a network of social enterprises across the region and provide a framework for the support of social enterprise in other community organisations.

If you’d like to find out more about the Village Life project please email the Project Coordinator at socialenterprise@nscf.org.au or phone Northey Street City Farm on 3857 8775.

The Village Life project is being implemented with the support of the Brisbane City Council Social Economy Team.

Saturday 19 June 2010: 4 to 10.30 pm

Featuring entertainment from:
* Spankinhide * Kooi * Ruby Blue * Neo Combo * The Luvs * Vulcana Circus *

• Roving performers, circus acts and exciting fire twirling!
• Fabulous food (on sale from 4pm) and refreshing drinks.
• Children’s activities and workshops (4-7pm) ending in a special bonfire for families in the early evening.
• Farm tours and other activities.
• Amazing prizes to give away.
• Traditional fire sculpture and a bonfire ceremony to complete the celebrations.

Bring a rug, dancing shoes and a party attitude!

Register as a volunteer
Contact us for more information