Northey Street City Farm

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Nursery Co-ordinator

We’re looking for a Nursery Co-ordinator who will be responsible for operating the City Farm Nursery making it a profitable enterprise that provides a service to the community through providing useful plants, information, and other permaculture resources.

 

Northey Street City Farm             
….. a place for learning about living sustainably in the city

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position:                     Nursery Coordinator

Award:                        Northey Street City Farm (NSCF) Enterprise Agreement
Hours:                          25 hours per week  (The Nursery Coordinator will be required to work Sundays – penalty rates paid)
Pay rate:                      NSCF Enterprise Agreement Level 3, $26.89/hr, plus entitlements (e.g., leave, super) as defined in the NSCF Enterprise Agreement
Contract Position:  Permanent Part-time
Responsible to:        Enterprise & Support Manager

Person

The Nursery Coordinator will be responsible for operating the City Farm Nursery making it a profitable enterprise that provides a service to the community through providing useful plants, information, and other permaculture resources.

The Nursery Coordinator should have experience working in a retail nursery and a passion for customer service, preferably with a practical working knowledge of Permaculture plants and their uses. This role will be responsible for supervising and developing volunteers to assist with the nursery retail and production.

The person should be willing to work with our community to meet the financial, social and environmental objectives of the Nursery. They will have initiative and be open to sharing their practical skills and experiences with a broad range of people.

Responsibilities

  • Manage the ordering, sales and stocktaking of all retail lines ensuring that stock is always available for sales.
  • Establishing and maintaining relationships with existing and new vendors and suppliers.
  • Maintain a Point of Sale & inventory management system for the retail operations.
  • Maintain a safe and welcoming retail space with appropriate visual merchandising
  • Implement and contribute to the development of a marketing plan for the Nursery.
  • Build a loyal customer base, providing outstanding customer service.
  • Supervise and develop Nursery volunteers, staff, and students to meet the operational needs of the Nursery.
  • Develop, implement, and document processes and procedures for the retail Nursery.
  • Ensure Nursery resources and equipment are maintained and in good working order.
  • Liaise with the Education & Farming Manager to produce plants for retail.
  • Provide the Enterprise & Support Manager with financial and operational reports.
  • Monitor the Nursery budget ensuring the financial goals remain on track.
  • Maintain any certifications as directed by the Enterprise & Support Manager.
  • Actively participate in relevant meetings.
  • Work co-operatively with the Enterprise & Support Manager, other enterprises, and teams at the Farm.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Selection Criteria)

Essential

  • Qualifications and training in horticulture.
  • Supervisory and leadership skills
  • Demonstrated experience in retail nursery operations and management
  • A working knowledge of plants and other elements used in permaculture including their requirements and uses.
  • Experience in customer service, cash handling, stock control, Point of Sale & inventory management systems and other administrative tasks required in a retail setting.
  • Excellent communication and writing skills, including on social media.
  • Demonstrated experience in implementing marketing strategies and plans
  • Problem solving skills as they relate to retail nursery operations

Desirable

  • Permaculture Design Course or willingness to acquire one.
  • Experience in working in community organisations.
  • Current First Aid Certificate or willingness to acquire one.

 
Physical Demands

This position may be physically demanding at times and requires a person who is fit, energetic, and flexible.

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 Vision: All living sustainably

NSCF Purpose: Our purpose is to be an inspirational working model of a community-based urban permaculture farm which promotes and educates for sustainability.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. Northey Street City Farm is proactively building meaningful relationships and programs with First Nations people in all its activities.

Applications:

  • Applications must address each of the selection criteria (maximum 100 words each)
  • Please also include a CV with at least two referees
  • Applications are due 4pm Tuesday 28 February 2023
  • Proposed start date is early March 2023.
  • For further information, please contact the Belinda Kau on belinda@nscf.org.au
  • Please submit application electronically to: info@nscf.org.au

 Hard copies may be sent to: Northey Street City Farm, 16 Victoria St, Windsor, 4030

www.nscf.org.au           Phone: 07-38578775      Email: info@nscf.org.au

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Turmeric A Wonder Root Plant

Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, is a yellow wonder root plant. Curcumin, the active ingredient in Turmeric, is a powerful antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. Studies are still being conducted on this plant but preliminary research suggests that eating turmeric can help ward off dementia, inhibit the growth of tumors, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, improve digestion, lower blood sugar levels and fight infections.

To buy your Turmeric plant please visit our nursery.  For more information on what our nursery has to offer click here.

Wendy, one of the nursery’s key volunteers made this deliciously irresistible gluten free Turmeric and Orange cake and kindly shares the recipe with you all.

Wendy’s Gluten Free Turmeric and Orange Cake

Ingredients

250gm butter
250gm sugar
5 eggs
150gm thick yoghurt
25gm finely grated fresh turmeric
250gm almond meal
100gm fine polenta
1 tsp baking powder
2 large oranges – finely grated rind & juice

Icing:
¾ – 1 cup cultured cream or yoghurt (sweetened)
Finely grated orange rind

Method

  1. Pre-heat oven to 180’C. Line a 22cm round spring form tin with baking paper. Grease with butter and coat with ground almonds. In a mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar till pale. Add one egg at a time, mixing well after each one until combined. Stir in yoghurt and turmeric.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the almond meal, polenta and baking powder. Fold together into cake mixture alternatively with the orange juice & rind mixture.
  3. Bake in the oven for approximately 1 hour. Turn out the cake after five to 10 minutes of cooling in the tin. When completely cool, spread on topping. Cover with berries if desired.

Share & enjoy!

Sian’s Golden Turmeric Milk

Ingredients

  • 2 cups plant – based milk (e.g. rice, almond, soy)
  • 3 Tbs finely grated fresh turmeric
  • 1 Tbs finely grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp cinnamon, or 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 pinch of black pepper

Method

  1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan on low heat until bubbles start to form. Do not boil.
  2. Strain milk into mugs (to remove the solid parts).
  3. Optional: Top with star anise and cinnamon or nutmeg.

Note: If you would prefer to use full cream milk, the coconut oil can be left out due to the milk already containing fat. Follow instructions above, however wait until the milk is hot (above 70°C) before adding the ginger. Ginger juice contains a protease that can cause the milk to curdle at temperatures below 70°C, but is fine above 70°C.

Note 2: The health benefits of turmeric are increased if it is consumed with fat and black pepper (which contains a substance called piperine), which is why these ingredients are both incorporated into this recipe!

 

 

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Leafy Greens alternatives to lettuce during hot summer months

Lebanese Cress - leafy greens
Lebanese Cress – Leafy greens
Kangkong - leafy greens
Kangkong

Summer means Brisbane gardeners have to be creative with their salads. Lettuce, english spinach and other greens are hard to grow. Take a look at leafy greens.

Darker leafed lettuces, and open hearted ‘cut and come again’ varieties will last a lot longer than cos or iceberg types.
We can also use perennial leafy vegetables, chopped herbs, sprouts, and edible flowers during the hotter months.

A fresh alternative to lettuce is lebanese cress. It is a delicate looking plant that likes to grow in damp places.

Kang kong, or water spinach, will grow happily in a well watered pot, or small water feature. The leaves are a great substitute for baby spinach.

Mushroom plant is another green that likes a sheltered spot. The leaves are high in protein and iron, and taste slightly of mushroom.

Visit our City Farm Nursery for all your summer plants and seeds

[Read more…]

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Worm Farm to keep composting worms

 

Worm farm food scraps
Worm farm composting worms

 

 

To keep your worms happy, you can buy a commercial worm farm, or make one from recycled materials.

Worm farm container

The container needs to be pest proof. It needs to have drainage and air holes. Bedding material can be shredded paper and cardboard (not coloured or glossy), cocofibre, dried leaves, or dried grass clippings.

What they eat

Worms can eat most fruits and vegetables, they really seem to like bananas and melons. Do not feed worms citrus, onions, or garlic. Don’t put meat, bones, or dog and cat poo in the farm.

How much they eat

Composting worms can eat at least half their weight every day. 1000 worms will eat 125g of food scraps. Happy worms can lay enough eggs to double their numbers every 8 weeks.

Placement

The farm should be situated in a protected spot, kept between 15C and 25C.

For all your composting needs visit City Farm Nursery

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Wicking Beds and water conservation – make your own wicking garden bed

Wicking beds can be purchased, or made from recycled materials. The design of the wicking garden bed conserves water. Water is poured down the pipe into a reservoir. The water then slowly percolates upwards via the soil to the root zone of the plants, called wicking.  Plants are watered from below rather than from above.  Water is drawn to the roots, just where it is needed and when it is needed. Wicking beds are like self-watering systems.

Wicking beds

For all your plant needs and advice visit City Farm Nursery

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No-Dig Garden – also called a layer garden

Sometimes called a lasagna garden or a layer garden, a no-dig garden is a quick way to build soil and start a vegetable patch.  Digging is a lot harder and instead of using heavy garden tools, layer.  Work with nature to disturb the soil as little as possible.  No-dig is helpful for weed management and ensure that the soil does not get compacted.

Plenty of organic matter is put on top of the soil which provides mulching.  The result is fertile soil that has not been disturbed, letting nature take its course.

 

No-dig garden

[Read more…]

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Beneficial Bugs

 

Good bugs are essential to our survival.

Ladybirds, praying mantids, lacewings and hover-flies, eat the aphids, mites and caterpillars that attack our plants. Honey bees, native bees, butterflies and moths pollinate our plants, giving us flowers, fruits, nuts, seeds, grains and vegetables.

We can encourage healthy populations of good bugs.

Choose not to spray insecticides or fly sprays at home and in the garden.

Buy certified organic or chemical free products

Plant bug attracting flowers.

Ladybirds are attracted to big, flat flowers like marigolds and calendula. Honeybees like flowers full of sticky pollen, like dandelions, borage and lavender. Native stingless bees really like the delicate flowers of tea trees, bottle brush and rosemary.

For all your plant needs and advice visit City Farm Nursery

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Container Gardening

Container Gardening buckets
Container Gardening old shoe
Container Gardening old vats

 

Practically anything can be made into a planter, or container garden.

Important factors to consider when choosing a container, or pot, are correct size, adequate drainage and good quality organic potting mix.

A good quality potting mix is essential for the health of plants in pots. Potting mixes are scientifically formulated with specific nutrients and water holding materials.

Make sure to use a specialty mix for plants such as native plants, succulents, and berries.

For all your gardening needs visit City Farm Nursery

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Different, edible, hardy and climate specific…

That is what you will find at the City Farm Nursery. Tucked away behind the Royal Brisbane Hospital at Northey Street City Farm is our nursery. What makes it unique is that it is a not-for-profit member owned nursery run by passionate staff and volunteers. We specialise in propagating and making available long life annuals, climate specific and different plants and fruit trees that other nurseries might not readily supply. It was started 15 years ago by passionate volunteers who saw the need to educate and provide edible seedlings and plants to people in Brisbane’s inner city.

Going from strength to strength it has grown into a fully-fledged nursery that is a member of the Nursery & Garden Industry Association Queensland.

We support the Farm’s vision of ‘Sustainability For All’ by providing organic and chemical free plants and good old-fashioned advice on all things you can grow in your City garden.

This is what some of our customers say…

“The delightful City Farm Nursery, a go-to place for edible, organic and rare plant species, provides a haven for birds, bees, frogs and people alike. The atmosphere is calming with an abundance of beauty and art. Thanks to the helpful advice from the staff, our garden is stocked with fruit trees, herbs and plants that are ideal for our subtropical climate. I highly recommend this nursery!”

“The best permaculture based plant nursery in Australia! We Brisbanites are very lucky to have such a great resource. Organically grown plants, with locally saved seed and cuttings ensures you get the most resilient plants for your garden. I’ve been designing edible landscapes and permaculture gardens for 20 years and recommend the City Farm Nursery.”

So for more about our products and much, much more click here.

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