Perfect late winter weather has Shearwater Steiner School’s biodynamic farm and gardens brimming with new life.
As the bees get busy in the blossoming fruit trees, students at the Mullumbimby Steiner school have been getting their hands in the dirt, building healthy soil; growing food; planting trees; caring for livestock, including chickens, ducks and cows, not to mention bees; as well as harvesting, cooking and eating the produce.
The school’s latest venture includes a grade skills centre offering Vocational Education and Training Certificate 1 courses in AgriFood Operations and Agriculture, currently being delivered to year 9 students over three years. Certificate II Courses will be offered in 2016.
‘Re-enlivening student interest in agricultural pursuits requires a change to a culture that has been moving in the opposite direction since the industrial revolution, and is one of the challenges we face today,’ said Shearwater agriculture teacher Robert Sutherland.
‘But the opportunity to cook while gardening, plan future crops and tree plantings and share gratitude for the land, all make for a very interesting project.’
Shearwater’s biodynamic farm and trade skills centre will be launched at the school’s annual Spring Fair, Threads of Life, tomorrow (Saturday, September 5).
The whole community is invited to come and share in this special celebration with musical entertainment, delicious food stalls and crafts and activities for the whole family, including candle making, silk painting, spring garland weaving, crystal fossicking, and much more.
Tours of the farm and a produce stall will give visitors a taste of what Shearwater students have been growing and learning about.
Popular local brother and sister duo Gabriel & Cecilia will perform live and Shearwater’s Spring Fair busking competition, which was a highlight of last year’s event, will again bring some of the region’s most exciting emerging musical talent to the stage.
