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Dear [FIRSTNAME],
Welcome to the May edition of the NSDA Newsletter.
There are plenty of exciting workshops happening this month, and stay tuned for progress reports on sustainable agriculture plans for NQ and the NSDA soil health project.
This Saturday - Local Food Trail.Local tastes and treats from 1pm - 5pm at Farmgate Markets
You're invited this Saturday to join a local food trail afternoon. After meeting at Farmgate markets at the Pier, we will travel by minibus to two Atherton Bio-Dynamic/Organic farms. Please book through our website www.comfoods.org.au or by phoning us on 40415335.
The farms we are visiting are no ordinary commercial growers either. They are making boxes of their lovely fresh vegies available to subscribers. The co-op will be the pick up point for the Cairns boxes.
Beth Shorter
Co-ordinator for Community Foods Co-op
Farmgate Turns One!
From little things big things grow....
Farmgate sprouted from a seedling idea of the Network for Sustainable and Diverse Agriculture whose intention was to raise awareness of the importance of producing, purchasing and consuming quality, fresh food grown in this region and in so doing to promote healthy ecosystems and the health of the local community.
In April 2009 Farmgate was born.
Nurtured by this philosophy Farmgate developed and continued to grow, with farmers and producers bringing a range of produce to market each Saturday. Families shopping at Farmgate could make their selection from staple salad greens and vegetables, tropical fruit and delicious condiments and conserves to redclaw, organic meat, biodynamic eggs, chicken, dairy products and a range of indulgent, wholesome and unusual products to whet the appetite.
Read more...
New Tablelands Organic Biodynamic Food Cooperative!
Are you an organic or biodynamic producer, or planning to become one?
Well the Tablelands Organic Biodynamic Food Cooperative is now calling for expressions of interest for membership. In June, we will be opening an outlet in Atherton which will sell members' produce, and we want you to be involved!
There are significant advantages to joining a co-op, and founding members receive the added advantage of getting a 2-for-1 share.
We will be holding our Formation Meeting in May or possibly early June (venue, time and date yet to be decided) on the Tablelands.
For more details contact Sara Isherwood: Ph 40916098 or Email: kuliliya@yahoo.com.au or Susan Curtain: Ph 0417 434 537 or Email susan@happyfood.com.au or refer to the  Expression of Interest document (24.96 Kb)
Regenerative Agriculture Workshop Series
Freerange Permaculture presents a series of Regenerative Agriculture Workshops in August, September, October and December.
The aim of the Regenerative Agriculture Workshop Series is to regenerate Australia's soils, profits and communities with education by world-leaders in sustainable farming.
The first workshop is about Holistic Management and is being held at Weatherby Station, Mt Molloy from 16th - 18th of August.
Goal setting, grazing planning, decision making and land management planning for health and productivity of your farm will be covered.This workshop will focus on improving soil health and biodiversity of rangelands and pastures, increasing grazing and wildlife capacity, increasing annual profits and enhancing livelyhoods. Kirk Gadzia (USA) a certified instructor with the Holistic Management International Centre with over 20 years teaching experience worldwide, will be taking this three day workshop.
Workshop fees are 100% reimburseable through the FarmReady program (go to www.farmready.gov.au for more info on this program)
Check out the August workshop flyer (638.35 Kb) for further information or go to www.freerangepermaculture.com.au or call 4086 8019.
Mareeba Centre for Sustainable Agriculture
In early March the Queensland Government Cabinet meeting in Mareeba unveiled plans for a $6.5M sustainable agricultural training centre to be co-located with the DEED office on Peters Street. The centre aims to position the Tablelands as a national leader in tropical agricultural science and training. There will be a focus on Environmental management, Natural and managed systems, Conservation and land management, and Indigenous studies.
Construction is due to start before the end of the year the facility is anticipated to go to out to tender in June.
Sources:1/3/2010 Media Release – Mareeba research and training hub taking shape; 7/4/2010 Media Release – Agricultural training sites and programs boosted.
Upcoming Events - MAY
Saturday 15th Local Tastes and Treats, Sustainable Food Choices Workshop:1pm – 5pm, meet at the Farmgate Markets @ the Pier for Tablelands Farm Tour
Tuesday 18th Cairns Permaculture Meeting: 6pm for 6.30pm start, Cairns Saints AFC Club Rooms, Griffiths Park, Monk St
Saturday 22nd Community Essential Science Information Session: 10am – 12pm, Farmgate Markets @ the Pier
Saturday 22nd Ethical Shopping Tour, Sustainable Food Choices Workshop:12pm – 2pm, Community Foods 74 Shields Street
Saturday 29th Local organic vego cooking, Sustainable Food Choices Workshop:3pm – 6pm, Fusion Organics Café, Corner Grafton and Aplin Streets
A final word, please email us snippets or ideas for the newsletter and don't forget to join up and encourage your friends and colleagues to do so too!
NSDA
www.nsda.org.au
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