Eco Convos with Dan

Welcome to Episode 32 of Eco Convos with Dan, where I chat with two guests - Chris Henderson and Cyril Bourke. CHRIS FROM BIO-LIGHT AND DIAGNOSTIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS Having experienced health challenges when in his late teens, Chris was determined to find alternatives to the medication that was making him sicker. This journey would take him to juice fasting health retreats, biologic dentists to remove mercury amalgam fillings safely, reiki and energy healers and from a practising vegan all the way to Paleo diet principles to rediscover his health. Chris is a qualified ‘Functional Diagnostic Nutrition' practitioner coaching clients through diet, rest, exercise and stress reduction principles including their exposures to light and how this effects the bodies natural sleep, hormonal and circadian rhythms. Light became an important part of his health equation when in 2016 he used natural light therapy combined with blue light reduction at night to reverse eye-sight issues that had arisen years early from working under artificial lighting and on screens in a busy office environment. This powerful combination helped him reduce his need for prescription glasses to read or work and eventually get rid of them for ever! Chris believes that too much exposure to ‘Fake Junk Light' from LED screens and lighting can cause a myriad of adverse symptoms including eye strain, headaches, sleep problems, concentration, behavioural issues and fatigue, as well as contribute to more serious conditions such as cognitive degeneration and cellular health challenges. What most of us don't realise is that our eyes, brain and skin are tuned to receive very subtle energies, frequencies and colour spectrums from sunlight, and these activate very specific chemical and electrical functions in our bodies to maintain optimal health. Discover how both natural and artificial light can have massive impacts on your health including how to maximise Vitamin D levels, use light for therapy and choose healthier lighting options for your home and office that's more human centric in design and function. Find Chris at http://www.bio-light.co (www.bio-light.co) and use discount code HEALTHYLIGHTS for 10% off your purchase. CYRIL FROM EMF SAFETY AND HEALTH EXPRESS WORLD Cyril received his first qualifications in radio communications and radio electronics 1983. He then went on to become an IBM trained engineer and a licensed electrician. He has worked for both the British Military (Royal Signals & Special Air Service) and the Hong Kong Government. His career has spanned both the electronics manufacturing industry, heavy power industry, oil and gas exploration and deep sea remote intervention. After suffering an industrial injury that had far-reaching effects on his whole body, Cyril started studying the field of pain management and spent 8 years in a successful clinic combing the use of bio-feedback and energy therapy. Cyril was also part of the team that developed the NES MiHealth device, a powerful hand-held bio-feedback device that is non-invasive and effective for reducing stress, releasing and re-educating energy flow, muscles, nerves, organs and areas of the body. His understanding of technology and electricity has him perfectly placed to follow his specialty interest of EMF and ‘dirty electricity', bringing the latest cutting edge information to the public through his presentations. Health Express World provides leading edge technology and health care products to equip practitioners and the general public with the best tools available. Their aim is to have a healthy, happy life and to help others achieve the same. They have a background in health and electrical engineering, and provide leading edge products, personalised service and education to health professionals and the general public. They have a special interest in EMF (ElectroMagnetic Frequencies) detection and mitigation. Every house/work environment is different and their solutions...

Welcome to Episode #31, with Mandy Schultz from LuvaBerry. What an incredible, down-to-earth woman! Mandy radiates enthusiasm, passion and humour - this is a great chat! Mandy Schultz is a naturopath with 25 years clinical experience. She has worked for leading brands, as a clinician and pharmacy trainer for Bullivants Natural Health Products, and as the Naturopathic Services Manager for Greenridge Botanicals. She spent 6 months working in Hong Kong training staff and clinic, and is experienced in training and seminar presentations. Passionate about health, Mandy was inspired to find a solution to the problem of fresh fruit waste and to create healthy strawberry snack products free from sugar and preservatives: LuvaBerry's freeze-dried products were born. If you haven't already, give these products a go… you won't be disappointed! A little more about LuvaBerry - LuvaBerry are unique, not unique within farming, but unique within the strawberry industry. They are a small family farm – a small fish amongst big fish – and have been producing juicy red Queensland strawberries for thirteen years. Strawberries that taste like they used to – sweet, delicious and packed with flavour.  LuvaBerry have been in the farming business for almost two decades and grow everything from strawberries and herbs to native finger limes. From July through to September/October you can visit them on weekends for a family fun day out (pick your own strawberries, morning yoga with breakfast, Panda's Playtime for the kids etc.) and they even have some special events organised (Art & Dine - an afternoon early evening event - and the new exclusive Luvaberry Supper Club). Whilst visiting the farm, tea and coffee will be available for a gold coin donation, plus ice cream and a selection of Luvaberry Farm Friend products to buy. Feel free to bring a picnic to enjoy overlooking one of our dams! Check out their website for more information. LuvaBerry's achievements include  Queensland Strawberry Growers Association sustainability award - Qld strawberry Industry recognised their war on waste achievements for the innovative range of freeze-dried products – the first of its kind in Qld. GrowCoastal 2019 - LuvaBerry were invited to take part in the Sunshine Coast's highly regarded food innovation accelerator program, GrowCoastal. With hundreds of applications and 12 spots available, LuvaBerry was chosen for its innovation in diversifying its business into a range of freeze-dried products. Regional Flavours 2018 - Managed by Brisbane Marketing to showcase the latest trends in future foods, each stand was required to participate in the “pitch to people” event. LuvaBerry was chosen as the “peoples choice”. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyEthical #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' (hello.mavmarketing@gmail.com) Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist (@dangympierealestate) Guest was Mandy Schultz Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: LuvaBerry www.luvaberry.com.au @LuvaBerry.com.au Elena Stone Professor Melissa Fitzgerald The University of Queensland Food Agribusiness Network (FAN) http://www.foodagribusiness.org.au (www.foodagribusiness.org.au) @foodagribusinessnetwork KOKOPOD http://www.kokopod.com.au (www.kokopod.com.au) @kokopodchocolate

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to Episode #30. In this episode, we speak with the amazing Morag Gamble! Morag first discovered permaculture in her teens, and it felt like an immediate natural fit… what better way to care for the earth and care for the people! Permaculture is a way to make a positive contribution, and create ripples of positivity in the world - it's a positive life purpose.  Morag's work and life are totally interwoven through the connecting fabric of permaculture. She is an expert and advocate for community gardens and food systems, ecovillage living, permaculture education, school gardens and creating a permaculture livelihood.  Morag has traveled the world to study with leading ecological thinkers and teachers, to learn with women elders, traditional communities, activists and scientists, to explore sustainable living in action, and to look deeply at new ways of education and communication. This informal and in-depth education in the world has given her deep insights to advise leaders, communities and government on living a sustainable life.  Among her colourful CV of life Morag started Northey Street City Farm in Brisbane with friends and the Australian City Farm and Community Garden Network, then school gardens, university gardens and later her own award-winning permaculture property in the subtropical ecovillage where she lives with her family today, Crystal Waters. She has woven permaculture design thinking into everything she does - the design of her work, her house and garden, her children's education. Over the past two decades Morag has been invited to teach at leading ecological education centres like Schumacher College, Torri Superiore, The Farm, Findhorn, Damanhur, Centre of Alternative Technology, UCBerkeley, Center for Ecoliteracy, The Green University and many more. Morag has lectured in Food Politics and introduced many students to permaculture.  About permaculture, Morag says: “I'm raising awareness of permaculture education because it makes a tangible difference in people's everyday lives. I want to help all households and communities to live a one-planet-life, and provide opportunities for young people to be part of a practical revolution. I'm motivated by the climate emergency, social justice and rapid species extinction. I am motivated to teach teachers about permaculture and help ripple out the spread of a new generation of permaculture teachers around the world, particularly with the emerging generation and with people who's daily lives are impacted by climate change.” Morag is the founder of the https://permacultureeducationinstitute.org/ (Permaculture Education Institute) with students on 6 continents, and the Executive Director of the https://ethosfoundation.org.au/ (Ethos Foundation), a small permaculture charity which has just funded a women's self help group in west Africa to run free permaculture education. She co-founded Northey Street City Farm and the Australian City Farm and Community Garden Network. Her YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/c/moraggambleourpermaculturelife (Our Permaculture Life) and https://ourpermaculturelife.com/ (Our Permaculture Life) blog have both been accessed around 2 million times. She invites fascinating guests to her podcast, https://sense-making.buzzsprout.com/ (Sense-Making in a Changing World), each week. And she's a regular contributor to PIP Magazine - the Australian Permaculture Magazine, and others. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyEthical #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' (hello.mavmarketing@gmail.com) Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist (@dangympierealestate) Guest...

Welcome to Episode 29 with Graeme Sait of Nutri-Tech Solutions. Graeme is often described as “passionate and charismatic”, and his presentations "inspirational" and "life-changing”. After listening to this episode, we are sure you will agree. You may even need to listen the interview more than once to take in the amount of information he shares… listening to Graeme is like drinking from a firehose (his words!)

Welcome to Episode 28 with Mac Lyon of Stories Told and The Foot Collective (TFC) Australia. This is an awesome chat. Mac is a truly passionate guy who finds happiness in sharing people's stories through film… and believes in the power of outdoor, bare-foot play! #PlayIsTheWay In previous years you may have seen Mac on Channel 7 as a news reporter, but these days he's enthusiastic about Stories Told and The Foot Collective Australia; a “health education company”. The Foot Collective Australia was started by Mac's physiotherapist friend James (“Jim”) Dooner, and aims to build strong, resilient and pain-free feet from the ground up. Jim believes that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, and he provides people with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to look after their bodies. The Foot Collective Australia sell items such as balance beams, toe spacers, mobility balls, hacky sacks, ground living tables, shoes, socks, clothes and more… and you will also find a number of educational videos on their YouTube channel too! They have partnered with Reforest Now, donating $5 from every order over $50 to help restore Australian forests by planting one tree. The Foot Collective Australia is so passionate about the outdoors that they also have a few projects on the go - Rewilding In Suburbia and TFC Bush 1, to name two. Information from their website is as below: Rewilding In Suburbia Have the recent world events uncovered within you a deep yearning to connect more with the natural world? ⁣Are you tired of being surrounded by electronics, artificial lights or find it challenging to escape to the natural world? ⁣ ⁣We hear you! We feel it too, deeply.⁣ ⁣That's why TFC Foot Nerd Georgina Davies and her family have collaborated to bring this resource to you. After returning to Melbourne in 2018, after 4 years of country living, they made it a priority to create their suburban life still strongly connected to nature. They share these ideas with you... In a colourful 54 page pdf booklet, her family passionately share over 50 ways to “rewild” while living in suburbia. Including inspiring ideas, practical steps, embedded YouTube video links & suggested resources.⁣ ⁣ Reconnect to the healing powers of nature.⁣ TFC Bush 1 TFC Bush 1 is a property South-West of Brisbane where we can embrace the Barefoot Life and reconnect with nature in a deeper, more immersive way. We plan to eventually share this special place with our TFC Tribe. We'll be spending more and more time out here over the coming weeks and months and will be documenting the whole process along the way so stay tuned and check out @tfc.bush1 to follow along! So make sure you give this episode a listen and check out their website. Mac's enthusiasm shines through and will leave you inspired to live your best life… which, he believes, starts in nature. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as - Facebook: Eco Convos with Dan Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyEthical #DemandRealFood Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' (hello.mavmarketing@gmail.com) Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist (Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Real Estate Specialist) Guest was Mac Lyon Music by Daniel Raymxnd -- Mentions: Stories Told * https://www.storiestold.com.au/?fbclid=IwAR0ESgjl7GFNYTy7Oi66_yA7xVMd923JB3hN08fLO4q2q0CnbDrMQGNDbFs * Stories Told (FB) * @storiestoldau (IG) * YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgq4EQ-XD7SyFU9tV_hnEZQ The Foot Collective (TFC) Australia * www.tfc-shopaus.com * The Foot Collective Australia (FB) * @thefootcollective (IG) * YOUTUBE:...

Welcome to Episode 27 with Wayne Zwar from Natural Swimming Pools Australia. Natural Swimming Pools Australia recreate the experience of swimming in crystal clear, living water - without the use of chemicals - in your own backyard!  Natural swimming pools are characterised by their simple and natural design, rounded forms and pool edges that merge with their surroundings. Each unique design creates an oasis of tranquillity in your own backyard. Aquatic plants can even be added to Natural Swimming Pools, providing a safe eco system for all. Natural Swimming Pools Australia partners with the BIOTOP network, based in Austria. BIOTOP are the world leaders in the Natural Swimming Pools industry with over 85 partners across the globe. Wayne and his “better half” Annika strive to provide their clients with a natural and beautiful swimming experience by creating sustainable and chemical free swimming pools that complement and enhance the natural surrounds, and by providing support in terms of design and construction, as well as the lifecycle of the pool. Each project is individually designed to enhance the beauty of its setting, turning your garden into a work of art. They can even assist you in converting your chlorine pool to a Natural Swimming Pool! Be sure to check out their website and socials for more information.  -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyEthical #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' (hello.mavmarketing@gmail.com) Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist (@dangympierealestate) Guest was Wayne Zwar Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: Natural Swimming Pools Australia http://www.naturalswimpools.com.au (www.naturalswimpools.com.au) @NaturalSwimPondsAustralia (FB) @naturalpoolsaus (IG) http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWpOlGBM3p5xgpFjKpwsQw/featured (www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWpOlGBM3p5xgpFjKpwsQw/featured) BIOTOP https://gb.bio.top/ @BIOTOP.Teich.Pool (FB)

Today we sat down and had a great chat with Dean and Mason Mayne from Piggy in the Middle. They were a bit nervous to start with but got more comfortable as the convo went on. We chatted about their farm in Kilkivan and how they got started, but more importantly, WHY they got started. As cousins, working together with their families has brought great joy, and that passion for their products and what they are doing to regenerate their land comes through in spades. The difference between their property and others around is clear in the abundance of pasture and quality of the soils and its potential to hold water and harvest carbon. Ultimately, the importance here is to ensure that the quality of their meat and eggs, along with the well-being of their animals is at the forefront of their processes. Piggy in the Middle is a partnership between two families, the sixth-generation farmers - Dean and Mason Mayne – along with their wives Kate and Krystal, and their young families. They are passionate about the land and their livestock. Therefore, they utilise regenerative farming practices to produce great-tasting, chemical-free, pork, lamb, chicken, and eggs. All of the animals are free-range and pasture-raised, free to forage and behave instinctively, in a natural stress-free habitat. Piggy in the Middle's main objective has always been to employ ethical farming principles and practices. Primarily, this applies to the way their animals are treated and the land is farmed. As regenerative farmers, they utilise farm management systems to improve our land. This involves their animal's grazing in the same way they would naturally. Eating and foraging in one area, before moving on to another, fertilising, aerating, and improving the topsoil as they go. As a result, they produce chemical-free products that are of the highest quality. Proteins that are better for you nutritionally, and that have great natural flavours. Certainly, using ethical farming practices is more difficult and labour intensive than conventional farming. It is, however, more satisfying and produces a much better product and environmental outcome. And they simply love it. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyEthical #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' (hello.mavmarketing@gmail.com) Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist (@dangympierealestate) Guests were Dean and Mason Mayne Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: Piggy In The Middle http://www.piggyinthemiddle.com.au (www.piggyinthemiddle.com.au) @piggyinthemiddleqld piggyinthemiddle_qld Sign up to Club Piggy below: http://www.piggyinthemiddle.com.au/club-piggy/ (www.piggyinthemiddle.com.au/club-piggy/) @SlowFoodNoosa @foodagribusinessnetwork Book: Holistic Management Handbook: Regenerating Your Land and Growing Your Profits By Allan Savory Jody Butterfield and Sam Bingham https://www.booktopia.com.au/holistic-management-handbook-third-edition-jody-butterfield/book/9781610919760.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/holistic-management-handbook-third-edition-jody-butterfield/book/9781610919760.html)

Welcome to Episode 25, where we chat with Agroecologist; Sarah Fea of BEAR Biologics. Sarah grew up on the land, and established BEAR Biologics in 1995. She is an experienced Principal Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the farming industry, displaying skills in negotiation, sustainable development, business planning, farms, and rural development. Sarah studied a Bachelor of Rural Science at the University of New England. BEAR Biologics stands for ‘Bare Essential Agricultural Resource' (management) - Biologically, and focuses on consults, events, courses and coaching. They consult on topics such as: * Soil Health * Holistic Management * Agricultural Consultant * Soil to Plate to Health * Agricultural Education * Soil Food Web Advisor * Biological Management * Biological Farming Systems * Organic Farming Systems Sarah is also a part of a coaching community called ‘Small Restoration Farmers'. She is passionate about supporting farmers, and believes that we need to appreciate the role that farmers play in our every day lives. Check out her upcoming event on Friday the 3rd of December!! https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=835215&fbclid=IwAR1GOkESiKppYwXfhiR5wD2jSD4DxaT9tzd_QZ1hqwoKBmbGbW_bOPCDkWo (https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=835215&fbclid=IwAR1GOkESiKppYwXfhiR5wD2jSD4DxaT9tzd_QZ1hqwoKBmbGbW_bOPCDkWo) -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyEthical #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' (hello.mavmarketing@gmail.com) Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist (@dangympierealestate) Guest was Sarah Fea Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: BEAR Biologics http://www.bearbiologics.com.au (www.bearbiologics.com.au) @BearBiologics Professor Don Huber Graeme Sait Book - ‘Minerals for the Genetic Code' by Charles Walters https://www.booktopia.com.au/minerals-for-the-genetic-code-charles-walters/book/9780911311853.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/minerals-for-the-genetic-code-charles-walters/book/9780911311853.html)

Today's convo is with the incredibly passionate Tammi Jonas. What the Jonas family are doing on Jonai Farms has been very well documented in print, television and radio, so we touched on this only a little to give some background before delving deep into discussing agroecology, their involvement with the Food Sovereignty Alliance, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and where things are headed in the future. The passion she has for her farm, family, and the community is undeniable and it is an exciting vision for the future of agriculture. The Jonai (aka Tammi, Stuart, Oscar, Antigone & Atticus Jonas) tired of choosing between saving the world or savouring it, so figured out a way to do both. In May 2011, they left their rather farm-like suburban Melbourne environs behind, took a shortcut across America to glean wisdom from a range of ethical farmers, and landed some months later on Dja Dja Wurrung country at what would become Jonai Farms, 69 acres at Eganstown, just outside the beautiful town of Daylesford, to raise happy, tasty, heritage-breed Large Black pigs on pasture. Jonai Farms enacts food sovereignty, which asserts everyone's right to culturally appropriate, nutritious and delicious food grown in ecologically sound and ethical ways, and our right to collectively determine our own food and agriculture systems. They are a resilient, diverse family farm that focuses on living a life in common with nature, and managing animals for optimum soil health as multiple species are rotated around the farm to grow fertility and diversity on the paddocks. After being the first farm in Australia to crowdfund major infrastructure in 2013 to build a licensed butcher's shop on the farm, they succeeded again in 2014 and built a licensed curing room and commercial kitchen to make farmstead cured meats and a range of charcuterie, as well as bone stocks and lard-based soap, to ultimately deliver a full nose to tail no-waste offering. ‘Waste' from the boning room includes bones after pate and bone broth making, which are then pyrolysed into bone-char and used as fertiliser for their small commercial crop of garlic, taking them from 'paddock to plate' to 'paddock to paddock'. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyEthical #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' (hello.mavmarketing@gmail.com) Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist (@dangympierealestate) Guest was Tammi Jonai Music by @DanielRaymxnd --  Mentions: Jonai Farms http://jonaifarms.com.au/ (http://jonaifarms.com.au/) @jonaifarms The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA) https://afsa.org.au/ (https://afsa.org.au/) >> click below to sign up https://afsa.org.au/membership-account/membership-levels/ (https://afsa.org.au/membership-account/membership-levels/) Community Supported Agriculture https://afsa.org.au/csa/ (https://afsa.org.au/csa/) Urgenci https://urgenci.net/ (https://urgenci.net/) Jacki from Blue Dog Farm Nick from Belvedere Farm Randall from Echo Valley Farm Tim, Amber and Nic from Kandanga Farm Store Graeme Sait Allan Savory Books: Farming Democracy https://afsa.org.au/product/farming-democracy/ (https://afsa.org.au/product/farming-democracy/) Running Out? Water in Western Australia by Ruth A. Morgan https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/books/running-out-ruth-a-morgan/p/9781742586236?gclid=CjwKCAiAp8iMBhAqEiwAJb94z7vUCB89hruOTEQPHTzLfEpoZQfIcrlg6NogwQaW_xSWqntVX0xdGhoC9CsQAvD_BwE...

Today's convo is a special one with a gentleman I am proud to call a friend. Dr. Jason Hilder is on a mission "to live, play and work with others to co-create holistic communal living arrangements and local community ventures and share knowledge in alignment with regenerative global outcomes." While that might seem like a mouthful, he comes at it with a kind and open heart and we discuss the benefits and potential pitfalls of communal living whether it be in large or small groups of people. We share the belief that on the whole, as people we want the best of our global community and our planet, so we also discuss the need and desire of people to look at things a little differently along with the need for local, state, and federal governments to work towards different ideas regarding our current housing crisis. The idea of intentional communities is not a new one, but there has certainly been some stigma built up over the years. We work together to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions while looking at why they have cropped up. Originally coming from a small crop farming family Jason studied Rural Management and that lead him to work in the Landscape industry. Dismayed with the focus upon industrialisation and chemical reliance, he left that career and traveled to Europe intending to explore and ended up working for multinational organisations. This corporate rite-of-passage showed him how the economic world functions and he learned that it is more often than not, dysfunctional. While there, Jason had the good fortune to visit Findhorn Foundation in Scotland, which was a life and mind changer. Returning to Australia, he again studied, this time the interplay of urban design and urban forestry with a realisation of the urban forests dying under hard surfaces of housing sprawl throughout much of Australian cities and towns. The lightbulb sparked… we needed to plan our cities, towns, and villages to support food production and the regeneration of forests wherever was possible. Water is vital for this. Jason wasn't the only one with this thought, yet the mainstay of urban planning and industry seemed to be stuck on something else – economic return. The experience at Findhorn showed Jason that when people pool their resources and make collective efforts much is possible and, it feels good too. Most recently he has completed a Ph.D. to research Intentional Community Living Arrangements and is grateful for the University systems and support to study something that he is so passionate about and beliefs have many, many opportunities for solutions. Now completed, it is time for practical application and he offers to be of service to groups in co-creating regenerative communities and landscapes. Enjoy episode #23! -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyEthical #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' (hello.mavmarketing@gmail.com) Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist (@dangympierealestate) Guest was Dr Jason Hilder Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: https://jasonhilder.com/ (https://jasonhilder.com/) @Djalmbu Jason Hilder https://crystalwaters.org.au/ (https://crystalwaters.org.au/) https://www.findhorn.org/ (https://www.findhorn.org/) https://simonsinek.com/find-your-why/ (https://simonsinek.com/find-your-why/) https://www.genaustralia.org.au/ (https://www.genaustralia.org.au/) https://www.collaborativehousing.org.au/about-us (https://www.collaborativehousing.org.au/about-us) https://ecovillage.org/ (https://ecovillage.org/) https://transitionaustralia.net/site/cohousing-australia/ (https://transitionaustralia.net/site/cohousing-australia/) @Crystal Waters Eco Village...

Welcome to Episode #22 with Shane Joyce from Kilkivan Community Farm… where we got much more than we bargained for! Shane has a background in the beef cattle industry but is a jack of all trades - he's an incredibly diverse, passionate man with an awesome sense of humour!  Topics of our chat include reforestation, syntropics (shout out to Thiago Barbosa), agricultural land trusts (shout out to Sam Marwood) and community farming... to name a few. Shane's plan is to put his farm at Kilkivan into 'community' ownership... what an inspiring concept! He's a “big picture” kind of guy who practices an “attitude of gratitude” and believes that “living in the question” is the the key to happiness and success.  We hope you enjoy this episode with the enthusiastic Shane Joyce of Kilkivan Community Farm. Make sure you get in touch with them for more information. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyEthical #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Shane Joyce from Kilkivan Community Farm Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: Kilkivan Community Farm > https://kc-farm.wixsite.com/kilkivan-farm (https://kc-farm.wixsite.com/kilkivan-farm) > @KilkivanCommunityFarm Agricultural land trusts (Sam Marwood) https://www.cultivatefarms.com/about (https://www.cultivatefarms.com/about) RCS Australia > "Profit Probe" Gympie & District Landcare The Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC)  Koala Action Group “Living in the question” > “How does it get any better than this?” > “What else is possible?” Living with an “attitude of gratitude” Books:  ‘The Intention Experiment' by Lynne McTaggart ‘The Field' by Lynne McTaggart ‘The Power of Eight' by Lynne McTaggart 'The One‑Straw Revolution' by Masanobu Fukuoka

Hi everyone and welcome to Episode #21!  Today's episode is with Leanne Sommer of Resource Consulting Services (RCS) Australia. RCS was founded in 1985, and is Australia's leading private provider of holistically-integrated education, training and advisory services to the agricultural sector. They work with individuals, families, corporates and government groups, empowering them to grow productive, profitable agricultural businesses within regenerative landscapes. Take a listen of this episode - it was a really great chat, and the work that RCS do for the community is inspiring! We even touched on the RCS Trees and Grass Survey for QLD graziers (the aim of which is to figure out if there is a ‘sweet spot' for the optimal amount of tree cover in livestock production). RCS invites livestock producers in Queensland to share their views on the right amount of tree cover and the advantages and disadvantages of trees in grazing systems. This 10 minute online survey includes 24 questions and a free 12-month subscription to Cibo Labs' MyFarmKey. Check out the survey here - www.surveymonkey.com/r/76N6555 -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Leanne Sommer from RCS Australia Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: RCS Australia > http://www.rcsaustralia.com.au (www.rcsaustralia.com.au) > @RCSAustralia Allan Savory ‘Dirt to Soil: One Family's Journey into Regenerative Agriculture', by Gabe Brown https://www.booktopia.com.au/dirt-to-soil-gabe-brown/book/9781603587631.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/dirt-to-soil-gabe-brown/book/9781603587631.html)

Welcome to Episode 20, with Naomi from Super Dooper Poo. Since she was a child, Naomi has had a deep connection to animals and the environment. As a young girl she remembers selling horse poo with her friend and landscaping gardens, and although she never planned to be the “poo lady” (as she's commonly known) she is very happy with her contribution to animals and the environment.  Naomi is also a bleeding heart - she has a good few hundred farm animals, ranging from chickens to cows; many cows of which were rescued to prevent their heinous death. Her oldest cow was in her 30s when she passed, and she giggles when she tells us that her favourite cow, Susan, has more coats than most horses. When we visit with Naomi, she recounts multiple stories of her accounts with animals - and the bigger picture of where the world is heading in terms of climate change - so it only seemed fitting to start planting more trees and running her own business that specialises in regenerating land through the wonders composting (having had horses and cows for over 46 years!) She is very down to earth and lively, and has a wonderful sense of humour - we hope you enjoy this episode where we talk sh*t! -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Naomi from Super Dooper Poo Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: * Super Dooper Poo @superdooperpoo Favourite books: * The Secret Life of Trees - How They Live and Why They Matter (By https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?author=Colin%20Tudge (Colin Tudge)) https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-secret-life-of-trees-colin-tudge/book/9780141012933.html?source=pla&gclid=CjwKCAjwzaSLBhBJEiwAJSRokt3QMQMd0uG-i8NcutFGCHXjlMjncLLUKEyYYkQzI9iiAVVhfFNkiBoCXbsQAvD_BwE (https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-secret-life-of-trees-colin-tudge/book/9780141012933.html?source=pla&gclid=CjwKCAjwzaSLBhBJEiwAJSRokt3QMQMd0uG-i8NcutFGCHXjlMjncLLUKEyYYkQzI9iiAVVhfFNkiBoCXbsQAvD_BwE) * The Barefoot Investor 2020 Update - The Only Money Guide You'll Ever Need (By https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?author=Scott%20Pape (Scott Pape)) https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-barefoot-investor-2020-update-scott-pape/book/9780730324218.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-barefoot-investor-2020-update-scott-pape/book/9780730324218.html)

Today's guest is the wonderful Jacki Hinchley from Blue Dog Farm located in Mount Mee.  Jacki is a wonderful ambassador for not only her farm and farming practices, but also for FAN (Food and Agribusiness Network - see episode 18 with Emma Greenhatch for more on this).  We discuss the importance of real food, ethical farming practices, and how we as consumers can support these enterprises. Blue Dog Farm harnesses the best of mother nature and brings deliciousness to the tables of homes and restaurants across Queensland. You'll find Blue Dog Farm in Mount Mee, in the rich and green heartland that is Brisbane's backyard. It's where Jacki and her dedicated team of passionate farmers nurture the land and harvest their Really Fancy Salad and Really Good Beef. It's farming… but not as you know it. Blue Dog Farm are passionate about biodynamics, nutrition farming, and regenerative farming. They do things differently and couldn't be prouder of the positive impact they're having on people's passion for good food, and on the planet. Blue Dog Farm is a small market garden growing fresh produce naturally. Grown from locally sourced seed that is organic, open-pollinated, and often heirloom, they don't use artificial pesticides, herbicides, or fertilisers, just lots of compost! The garden is tended entirely by hand – the bed preparation, the sowing, the weeding, the harvesting, and the compost making! Throughout the year, they take one bed at a time out of the cycle to rest and restore the balance of the soil. They are equally as attentive with their beef cattle selection and breeding. They not only focus on deliciousness, but also the precise management of the land. As the current custodians, they consider it their responsibility to maximise the good effect for future generations. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Jacki Hinchey from Blue Dog Farm Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: Blue Dog Farm  http://www.bluedogfarm.com.au (www.bluedogfarm.com.au) @bluedogfarmaus REKO Moreton Bay Belvedere Farm Co.Couture Chocolates Food Agribusiness Network (FAN) Caboolture Sports Club Gympie & District Landcare Crystal Brook Vincent … and more!!! REKO markets, Saturday mornings: Samford from 9am-10am Day 11am-12pm North lakes 12pm-1pm Favourite podcast: Agrifutures Podcast http://www.agrifutures.com.au/onair (www.agrifutures.com.au/onair)

Hi everyone and welcome to Episode #18, with Emma Greenhatch from the Food and Agribusiness Network. Emma has had more than 17 year's experience working in the food and agribusiness industry for the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Renowned for her strong networks and leadership, Emma is a translator of ideas into strategies and actions that deliver positive and sustainable outcomes.  Before moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2015, Emma spent the previous nine years working with Victoria's food industry in a range of senior roles with the Victorian Government. She facilitated the establishment of Victoria's first representative group for the organic industry; led seven government departments in the development of a new policy framework for food; and created Australia's largest and most successful inbound trade mission that resulted in $100 million in new food and beverage exports for Victoria. Since 2016, Emma has been CEO of the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN), a fast growing not-for-profit, industry cluster headquartered on the Sunshine Coast. Under Emma's leadership, membership has doubled to 320; she has generated more than $2 million in new funding; and driven the creation of a range of new initiatives, including new services to assist members to access national and international markets. With a passion for partnerships and collaboration, Emma has evolved FAN into an organisation that delivers genuine growth opportunities for the food and agribusiness industry in the Greater Sunshine Coast region. We hope you enjoy this episode and check FAN out - they are essential for our community. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: Eco Convos with Dan  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyEthical #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Emma Greenhatch from the Food and Agribusiness Network Music by Daniel Raymxnd -- Mentions Food and Agribusiness Network: - Website: www.foodagribusiness.org.au - Facebook: Food Agribusiness Network FAN   Businesses - please like, share, subscribe, comment

Hi everyone and welcome to today's episode with Kane Dabbouss from Red Soil Organics. In this episode we unpack biodynamics - such an interesting approach to regenerative agriculture that takes into account the moon cycles, cosmic forces and so, so much more. This is a great episode for all those wanting to learn more about biodynamics as Kane really strips it back and starts right at the beginning with founder Rudolph Steiner's principles, and different biodynamic preps (also referred to “BD preps”) and their uses too. Some of our conversation may seem a little unbelievable but stay with us… a biodynamic approach is incredible easy and affordable, and produces amazing results. Check out our Visit Videos with Kane and you'll see what I mean. Also… watch this space as Kane is opening a market garden soon so his insanely nutritious food will be available to us very soon! Red Soil Organics run workshops and have a consulting service available for those interested so if this is of interest, check out their website. Their stockists are also located on there website so if you'd like to start applying biodynamics to your property (no matter how small or large!) just pop into one of these retailers. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Kane Dabbouss from Red Soil Organics Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: Red Soil Organics http://www.redsoilorganics.com.au (www.redsoilorganics.com.au) Instagram: @redsoilorganics Facebook: @yourlocalorganics Jeremiah's Crust (@authenticsourdough) Stockist Gympie and District Landcare (@gympielandcaregroup) Kandanga Farm Store (@kandangafarmstore) Coolibah Homestead (@coolibahhomestead) Ross Creek Tropicals (@rosscreektropical) Bamboo Park Organic Nursery (@bambooparksunshinecoast) YouTube clip BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE interviews for the film 'The Challenge of Rudolf Steiner' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5G40qCDv6A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5G40qCDv6A) Books ‘Agriculture Course: The Birth of the Biodynamic Method' (By Rudolph Steiner) https://www.booktopia.com.au/agriculture-course--rudolf-steiner/book/9781855841482.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/agriculture-course--rudolf-steiner/book/9781855841482.html) ‘Gardening for Life - the Biodynamic Way' (By Maria Thun) https://www.booktopia.com.au/gardening-for-life-the-biodynamic-way-maria-thun/book/9781869890322.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/gardening-for-life-the-biodynamic-way-maria-thun/book/9781869890322.html)

Hi everyone, welcome to Episode #16 with Mark Valencia (husband, father, writer, gardener, and YouTuber extraordinaire) from SelfSufficientMe. I have been following Mark's work for a number of years now and am a big fan, so when we reached out and were invited to meet with him and have a chat at Self Sufficient Me HQ, there was no way I was going to refuse. Mark's passion for encouraging others to get more proactive in their own lives is nothing short of inspiring and as he says, “You don't have to be self-sufficient in everything, just be self-sufficient in something.” Mark Valencia retired from the Australian Army in 2008 after 21 years of service and is married with two children (boys). He has always been passionate about self-sufficiency (even as a child) and he is now enjoying the opportunity to communicate this passion through his Blog and YouTube Channel. Self Sufficient Me has grown over the years and is reaching and inspiring millions around the globe through the various social media channels teaching about self-sustainment by growing fruit and vegetables and keeping animals such as chickens for food. It's also about lifestyle and self-fulfilment by looking after our health (physical/mental) through exercise and “slowing life down a little.” Join us while we get to know Mark a little bit more and take some time to “Look, and see the Earth through Her eyes.” -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: Eco Convos with Dan  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Mark Valencia from Self Sufficient Me Music by Daniel Raymxnd -- Mentions: Self Sufficient Me - * Website: www.selfsufficientme.com * YouTube: (Self Sufficient Me) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJZTjBlrnDHYmf0F-eYXA3Q (Self Sufficient Me 2) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUZX-FaPDq7w_TqB3QrAzWQ

Welcome to Episode 15 with Randal Breen from Echo Valley Farm in Goomburra, Queensland. Regenerative agriculture, stacked integrated farming models and agroeocology are the Breen family's core values - if you're not sure what these are, just take a listen of this episode! Randal is a very passionate, down-to-earth guy who is working hard with his wife, Juanita, to regenerate their land and provide their local community with high quality food following a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model. Echo Valley Farm follow “The Four Goods” - every action they take must be: Good for the Animals Good for the Land Good for the Farmer Good for You This is our very first phone interview and was loads of fun, we hope you enjoy! -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Randal Breen from Echo Valley Farm Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: Echo Valley Farm Website: http://www.echovalley.com.au (www.echovalley.com.au) > check out their online store: https://www.echovalley.com.au/buy-online (https://www.echovalley.com.au/buy-online) Belvedere Farm  Soma Soma Kandanga Farm Store Farmer and Sun Matt Evans - chef  Joel Salatin - Stacked Integrated Farming model Gabe Brown - soil health pioneer (diverse cover-cropping) Colin Seis - pastures cropping Start Andrews of Forage Farms - Natural Sequence Farming Recommended books: Call of the Reed Warbler, by Charles Massy Dark Emu, by Bruce Pascoe Recommended film: Kiss The Ground (Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3-V1j-zMZw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3-V1j-zMZw)) 

From Goats to Geese, to Gardening - we had a great convo with today's guest, Shane Simonson. Shane runs his blog and philosophy of "Zero Input Agriculture" and works it like an evolving science experiment. He is only too happy to share the information he learns and you can read his experience in its rawest form. We covered a lot of topics including his love of animals and his passion for seed saving. Rather than me telling you about Shane, it's probably best in his own words: "My lifelong love of plants and biology led me to a career in research biochemistry, but my growing awareness about the challenges ahead for industrial civilisation prompted me to change gears and become a full time experimental farmer in 2017. Since then I have turned our piece of clapped out ex-dairy country into a chaotic petri dish where different crops are put to the test. Only those that are able to thrive and produce with zero irrigation, zero imported fertility and zero mechanical maintenance win the game. While I grow a wide range of vegetables my main interests lie in staple crops (especially starch tuber crops like Queensland arrowroot) and tree crops (like our magnificent local bunya nuts, which I believe with a little breeding work have vastly more potential than our recently domesticated macadamias). In between all that I find time to manage our small dairy goat herd and hybrid goose flock, and experiment with fibre crops including cotton, bamboo, and our local giant spear lily. I blog regularly at http://www.zeroinputagriculture.com/ (www.zeroinputagriculture.com) about my experiences with different crops, techniques, book reviews, and lunatic philosophical musings when the mood takes me (which is often)." -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Dr Shane Simonsen Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: Zero Input Agriculture  http://www.zeroinputagriculture.com (www.zeroinputagriculture.com) Seeds can be purchased at: Cooran shops, Kandanga Farm Store and via Shane's website. Books: Gardening When It Counts, by Steve Solomon  https://www.booktopia.com.au/gardening-when-it-counts-steve-solomon/book/9780865715530.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/gardening-when-it-counts-steve-solomon/book/9780865715530.html) Restoration Agriculture, by Mark Shepard  https://www.booktopia.com.au/restoration-agriculture-mark-shepard/book/9781601730350.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/restoration-agriculture-mark-shepard/book/9781601730350.html) The One-Straw Revolution, by Masanobu Fukuoka https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-one-straw-revolution-masanobu-fukuoka/book/9781590173138.html (https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-one-straw-revolution-masanobu-fukuoka/book/9781590173138.html) Podcast: https://abundantedge.com/ (https://abundantedge.com/) https://regenerativeskills.com/shane-simonsen-is-back-to-outline-the-refinement-of-his-zero-input-agriculture-experiments/ (https://regenerativeskills.com/shane-simonsen-is-back-to-outline-the-refinement-of-his-zero-input-agriculture-experiments/)

Today's guest was the ever fabulous, award-winning, accredited permaculture teacher, Elisabeth Fekonia from Permaculture Realfood. What a great convo it was too. We discussed permaculture a little bit, but moved quickly on to her other passion - “Real Food". From sauerkraut to cheese making to sourdough bread, we discussed why it is so important to include real food into our diets, but also how wholesome it can be making it yourself. It all works up to becoming self-sufficient. Elisabeth works to her mission statement - "Teaching people to help themselves to their own home food production."  "After a decade of learning the skills of self-reliance in growing and producing our own food, I felt that it was imperative to pass my skills on to others so that they too might do the same. It has been an exciting journey of discovering the lost art of home cheese making, sourdough bread, and making wine made from surplus fruit. I learnt that fermenting food such as sourdough and cheese making has many health advantages and it's also about reviving forgotten skills from the past. I don't have a country bone in my body as I was born and raised in Amsterdam, migrated with my family to Australia in 1964, and settled in the suburbs in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. At 21 I left the suburbs for a country life and haven't looked back since. After moving to Samford, a village just northwest of Brisbane, I had found my niche. I learned how to spin and knit wool, I made my own shoes and clothes and learned how to make bread and soap, and started some vegetable and herb gardens, and generally enjoyed myself. Eventually, after moving from Samford I discovered the Sunshine Coast and have lived in Conondale, Kin Kin, and now at Black Mountain west of Cooroy. Global crisis or not, self-sufficiency is my drive, I wouldn't live anywhere else but in the country. I love the life of growing and producing our own food. The workshops, seminars, and organic gardening courses are a result of all the things I have learnt over the years, and they help teach people to grow and produce their own food. It might seem daunting at first, but it's up to you to decide what you can do with regards to producing your own food because if I can do it, anyone can. I'm only too happy to share my knowledge and experiences to help you on the road to your food security. I'm sure you'll never look back when you do." -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Elisabeth Fekonia of Permaculture Realfood Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: Permaculture Realfood http://www.permacultureproduce.com.au (www.permacultureproduce.com.au) @PermacultureRealFood >> check out the Facebook page for upcoming workshops in your area!   Local Permaculture Groups @permaculturenoosa  Favourite books Books by Dr Michael Mosley Ferment Your Way To Good Health, by Elisabeth Fekonia (VEGAN EDITION COMING SOON!!) > https://permacultureproduce.com.au/product/ferment-way-good-health/

Today we had a wonderful convo with Mel Marx from Gympie Landcare. Before getting into this chat, I had no idea that Landcare offices were independent and ran their own way - like so many others, I thought it was a government-funded operation. It was an eye-opening conversation that really brought to light the incredibly valuable work that Gympie Landcare is doing on a daily basis, not just for the Gympie area, but also inspiring other organisations to follow in their footsteps. Mel was a great person to chat with and her own journey was one that I found quite fascinating as well. Coming for a tree-change with the little experience she got from her mother and a goal of revitalising a 40ha space... it's a story that you can only admire. The idea of jumping straight into the deep end and "just doing it" is truly inspiring. Mel joined Gympie Landcare to learn more and assist in their mission and utilise her previous experience in organisational effectiveness so they can work to their fullest potential. We discuss a whole manner of things including the numerous projects that Gympie Landcare is currently undertaking from utilising various bugs to control pest plants, to workshops, honey, worm farms, and their own nursery. What a great operation they have here and with such passionate staff, it's hard not to get excited. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as - Facebook: @ecoconvos Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan Website: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecoconvos.com.au%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR37qJ9QlXstspe-djD6G-HLgc5xn_F0gaw0CFJQA4ybn7tRjpqYdgaNXT0&h=AT2HLTH8Xdwcqojmrp40t6kpOVdr6_Ajo-AXO0RBZQC5_cnB8sXLWewYFxLrUKWqWCX7se66hM6DAKIVd12PJd-R8dfja5AAJjFuXxP3VAZBB5VpN606zzC6DMJxiWC_auNy9c0&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT0pb0kwbLXxoLNBTVigo-1vnz4UrIXYaWsJMk2x_lH_LXxoLAFzzABrrc51ZWwBGo9g3WobsL4HVe0GDtW4Zu0g7S5taLZNWtMfyZBhAP5VzBANO0HmBlMjYOXBEos03FovcRddaJe-5AK9op020Y2oi3f_jtdQwjxZUDRV9nJt02ab62uA1FfLFAOhrrcUaVMlLC_zsqiIIl9Y (www.ecoconvos.com.au) https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/supportlocal?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZW9nzD5ftcZMsf4QGccLTP1ia0Gr6y-wokLCMoysbxlBuVwp1RzblUZmvUfcPFAQJ4X4n8Y2v5oCm2nOuR7u1cFvY6gTwT_nWqh_hg03q6DMiDkQb-AKzdLBrgfN8r-GWLA8tfSh6vlsFFzhnCMZWn8vycIQqt4bezQ56aQfMZvhdH2wN3bm_kBXZ7_1P3oqS8&__tn__=*NK-R (#SupportLocal) https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/buyfreerange?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZW9nzD5ftcZMsf4QGccLTP1ia0Gr6y-wokLCMoysbxlBuVwp1RzblUZmvUfcPFAQJ4X4n8Y2v5oCm2nOuR7u1cFvY6gTwT_nWqh_hg03q6DMiDkQb-AKzdLBrgfN8r-GWLA8tfSh6vlsFFzhnCMZWn8vycIQqt4bezQ56aQfMZvhdH2wN3bm_kBXZ7_1P3oqS8&__tn__=*NK-R (#BuyFreeRange) https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/demandrealfood?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZW9nzD5ftcZMsf4QGccLTP1ia0Gr6y-wokLCMoysbxlBuVwp1RzblUZmvUfcPFAQJ4X4n8Y2v5oCm2nOuR7u1cFvY6gTwT_nWqh_hg03q6DMiDkQb-AKzdLBrgfN8r-GWLA8tfSh6vlsFFzhnCMZWn8vycIQqt4bezQ56aQfMZvhdH2wN3bm_kBXZ7_1P3oqS8&__tn__=*NK-R (#DemandRealFood) Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist Guest was Mel Marx from Gympie & District Landcare Music by Daniel Raymxnd -- Mentions:

 *** Gympie and District Landcare are in desperate need of engaged members, volunteers and seed. If you can offer anything - even if seemingly small - please reach out to them on 5483 8866 **** * Landcare Australia * Junior Landcare
 (Costa Georgiadis Official it would be AWESOME to have you on the show for a chat!!!) * Gympie & District Landcare
 > Onsite attractions:
 - Advisors (tips, information, seed and plant identification etc.)
 - Wholesale and retail nursery
 - Native plants
 - Indigenous food trees
 - Seeds
 - Compost worms 
- Bees 
- Biocontrol facility 


> Blockies Course:
 - Stuart Andrews of Forage Farms (Natural Sequence Farming)
 - Kane Dabbouss of Red Soil Organics (Biodynamics and...

Welcome to Episode #11 with Tom and Zaia Kendall from Kendall Permaculture Farm. The Kendalls are such a down-to-earth, passionate, generous couple who give so much to our community - please check out all their information below and get involved where you can. TOM Tom is a permaculture farmer with over 40 years farming experience and a broad acre agriculture background. He is co-founder of PermEco Inc. and teaches at Kendall Permaculture Farm Education and Training Site. Tom regularly co-teaches Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) courses with Geoff Lawton and has taught Permaculture courses in Australia and overseas. Tom has over 1000 hours of teaching experience and has been training people in practical permaculture skills since 2006. He has a talent to identify and repair damaged and eroded landscapes, focusing on soil health and transforming damaged land to highly productive land. He has repaired several sites and advises landholders and NGO's on regenerative methods for their projects. ZAIA Zaia Kendall grew up in a family of musicians in Holland, and has a background in top sport (snow skiing) and web development and design. She co-founded PermEco Inc. with Tom, and runs the “invisible structures” (finances, business administration, website development, design and maintenance, writing of articles, video content creation, event and course organisation etc). She assists Tom in running the Kendall Permaculture Farm by supervising volunteers, feeding animals, looking after the nursery, kitchen garden and the Syntropic Market Garden. She is an active member of several musical projects and bands, involved in community music and runs percussion and marimba workshops . Zaia is also the percussion leader for the Woodford Folk Festival People's Orchestra, and composes as well as plays music. She is passionate about community music and loves organising community music events to bring joy to people's lives. PERMECO INC. PermEco inc. is a registered charity and incorporated not for profit organisation. By making their services available by donation (pay what you can), they aim to train as many as possible to build a more sustainable future for our planet and our communities. Permeco Inc. provides advice, education and training in Regenerative & Sustainable Practices and organises Music and other Community Building activities in adherence with the three Permaculture Ethics of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits:  Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Tom and Zaia Kendall Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: PermEco Inc. http://www.permeco.org (www.permeco.org) >> checkout the upcoming Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) courses… the next course starts at the end of August :) >> checkout the upcoming 40 Hour Jammin LITE on Saturday the 25th of September (please buy tickets in advance to show your support) The Kendall Permaculture Farm @kendallpermaculture The 40 Hour Jammin @the40hourjammin   Bill Mollison Permaculture Principles  'Introduction to Permaculture' by Bill Mollison Geoff Lawton  Permaculture Masterclass: A Four-Part Series https://www.discoverpermaculture.com/video-1-pdc-2019 (https://www.discoverpermaculture.com/video-1-pdc-2019) Greg Knibbs https://www.edge5.com.au/about-us (https://www.edge5.com.au/about-us) Charlie Arnott Biodynamics Organic Farming Methane gas biodigester 

Welcome to Episode #10, where I chat with Sean Morrow of One Earth Landscaping and One Earth Education and Consulting about landscaping that encourages an abundant and thriving ecosystem… basically, landscaping that connects people with plants and animals in a way I've never considered before. Sean is a deeply passionate and spiritual man, and it was an absolute privilege to learn more about him and his work.  Sean grew up in Sydney in a great family environment, where his parents took the family bush walking often. They spent two weeks of every Christmas school holidays at a farm on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Although he grew up in Sydney, Sean's heart and spirit was always in the bush. As a child, he kept a huge range of native animals at home (from insects, yabbies and frogs, to turtles, lizards and birds) and studied them in great detail over many years. At the age 8, he convinced his dad to put in a frog pond at home and many years later, he managed to get two more ponds into the garden! While talking to Sean, I learnt that this was live-changing. After leaving Sydney in 1993 with only a backpack, Sean started travelling and living around Australia and overseas for approximately 7-8 years. In that time he lived and travelled in Far North Queensland, Tasmania, New Zealand, Darwin, Indonesia, Western Australia, Canada, United States (including Hawaii) and later, Northern New South Wales. In 2002 he found 6.5 acres of land on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, and settled onto the land to develop the gardens with two main focuses - to grow organic food and to create habitat for native animals. In 1999 he established One Earth Landscaping, and in 2011 he additionally established One Earth Education and Consulting. Sean's passions include the creation of habitats to support native animals, the growing of organic food for home production, Permaculture, Organics and Bio-Dynamics. In the last few years, Sean's life has been more focused on education. He loves sharing his passion and knowledge with people through talks, workshops and consultations, and also opens his gardens/property to the general public 1-2 times per year. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Sean Morrow of One Earth Landscaping and One Earth Education and Consulting Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: One Earth Landscaping and One Earth Education and Consulting Website: www.oneearthlandscaping.com.au Facebook: @oneearthlandscaping and @oneeartheducationandconsulting Movie Baraka 

I'm excited to bring to you Episode 9, featuring Shakya Jemison; the self-professed “Accidental Gardener”. Shakya is so full of energy and creativity it's hard not to walk away from this episode feeling anything but inspired. Shakya loves country life and everything about it - the music, the people, the trees, the air and the dirt. In fact, she has learnt to both love and respect dirt, as it is so important (most days she carries a fair amount of it on her, under her nails and in her hair and boots… no matter how careful she is!) She considers herself a farmer because last year she grew her own corn and ate it. Don't ask her why this was the vegetable that decided it, but it was. I image it must have been such a rewarding feeling!

 She loves learning and is enjoying a journey of discovery; exploring her property, gaining new skills and listening to those with knowledge of the land. For the first time in her life, she genuinely happy and at peace with herself and loving every day that she can get to be outdoors with her trees, birds, garden and dirt. Shakya has spent many years studying and in fact has 3 degrees, one of which includes Environmental Science, but has learnt more in the past 12 months simply watching nature, planting trees and talking to farmers. Even ones that don't grow corn… Lol. Her goal is to live completely off grid and each day she gets a bit closer. Recently she started her first hydroponics setup and built a greenhouse, her next goal is to explore aquaponics. In an email to me she says “Our region is blessed with a wealth of knowledge and kind souls that are happy to share that knowledge.” Shakya, I couldn't agree more. Thank you for being one of these people. If you're ready to learn how to DYI, take a trip down Shakya Jemison Lane with Episode 9! -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as - Facebook: Eco Convos with Dan Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist Guest was Shakya Jemison Music by Daniel Raymxnd -- Mentions: Local organisations: - Gympie & District Landcare - Valley Bees - Land for Wildlife South East Queensland - Koala Action Gympie Region - Gympie Earthworks - Grow Landscape Yard - Bee Positive Australia - Permaculture Gympie Region > Serge Leroyer - Asset Cabins And Homes Local icons: - Kane Dabbouss of Red Soil Organics - Stuart Andrew of Forage Farms - Aaron Mears of Lulu's Perch Permaculture Podcast - Morag Gamble The Off Grid Lifestyle Expo > Imbil Showgrounds (September 11th and 12th) - www.offgridexpo.com.au - Off Grid Lifestyle Expo Fannie Flagg - Can't Wait to Get to Heaven
 - Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe  (We hope we got all the mentions from Shakya!)

What a trip into the world of Syntropic Agroforestry this was. Davy is one of those people with a wealth of information that he is only too willing to share. A very quiet and private person, it took a lot of courage for him to come onto the podcast and share... but I'm so glad he did. I actually sold Davy and his partner their property in Curra; and using the principles he speaks about, he has turned it from a nutrient-starved dust bowl to an impressively diverse market garden (in the space of only 18 months!). There is life in the ground and it is incredibly productive. No mean feat I can tell you. It is a thoroughly engaging conversation and I learned an amazing amount by simply sitting at the other end of the table. Davy is an agroforester, however it was not always this way. He once was a research security analyst focused on aspects of world security, and an entrepreneur in seafood too. During his work at Macquarie University, he saw a number of global crises emerging in environmental and civilisational security, so he chose to continue research in that field seeing it as the most urgent crisis facing human civilisation. In this aspect, part of what he does now is restoring ecosystems using the principles of syntropic farming by Ernst Gotsch. This has become the main focus of his life and research. Restoring ecosystem balance and creating a beyond organic, beyond sustainable, natural product that actively contributes to reverse the climate change problem head-on while also creating drought-resilient food systems. His work is now a professional practice in creating beauty and abundance. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as - Facebook: Eco Convos with Dan Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist Guest was Davy Hooker of Sanctuary Syntropic Farm Music by Daniel Raymxnd -- Mentions: - Syntropic agroforestry
 - Sanctuary Syntropic Farm
 @sanctuary_syntropic_farm - Agroflorestando Ao Pé Da Planta https://www.agroflorestando.com.br/english-info - The Food Forest Farmers - Happen Films https://happenfilms.com/film/the-food-forest-farmers/ - Agroforest'ing The World From Machete To Tractor https://bosquedeniebla.com.mx/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Agroforesting-the-World-From-Machete-to-Tractor-1.pdf - Abundance Agroforestry, A Syntropic Farming Guidebook https://www.scribd.com/document/416128370/Abundance-Agroforestry-A-Syntropic-Farming-Guidebook

We had a fantastic conversation with Nic Zaccardi, and while the video had some issues, it certainly didn't take anything away from the chat. Nic is a wealth of information and while working at the Kandanga Farm Store, has helped countless people in their personal pursuits. Our conversation covered everything from the importance of cover cropping to animal rotation, and the nutrient density of foods. It is a great chat. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Nic grew up in Victoria, and moved to Queensland 10 years ago. He studied nutrition and dietetics at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and started with Queensland health as a dietitian after graduating. He worked in a couple of different roles including being part of the transition care team, which was a community based role, and as a clinical dietitian in hospital. Nic decided to move back to the farm, with the desire to farm full time. He currently grows a lot of small crops, and runs a flock of around 400 pasture-raised chickens to produce eggs, while also working at Kandanga Farm Store. The methods he uses to farm focus on regenerating the soil, rather than depleting it. This includes crop and animal rotations, cover cropping, inter-row cover cropping with small crops, and no use of synthetic fertilisers, chemicals or sprays. The plan for him is to expand the flock of chickens next year to around 2500, and begin running some cattle too. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Nic Zaccardi from Kandanga Farm Store Music by @DanielRaymxnd -- Mentions: - Kandanga Farm Store @kandangafarmstore > check out their awesome store and cafe!! - Peter Wolfe Cedar Creek Farm Bushfoods - Jeremiah's Crust @authenticsourdough Kandanga Farm Store services: - Infrastructure projects for small and large scale acreage  - Assistance in setting up solar pumps, fences - Nutrition for livestock - Management of “weeds” and “pests” - Cover cropping  - Consultations  Areas of interest: - Regenerative Agriculture  - Companion planting - Brix meters - Cover cropping Book: - ‘Water for Every Farm', by P.A. Yeomans

Bambi Gosbell is a bit of a local icon. Not necessarily for farming, but as a Wedding Portrait Photographer in Gympie for the past 19 years. We had a great chat about her foray into the world of permaculture, biodynamics and of course, the growth of her Food Forest in such a short time frame. Bambi's enthusiasm really reminds us that anyone can be more self-sufficient - it's just a matter of time and passion. Growing up on a cattle property, Bambi has had a secret love of the wide open spaces and simplicity that farm life brings. When she met her husband Andrew 17 years ago, she never expected to live and work on a Aquaculture Farm breeding red claw crayfish. At the age of 40 she decided to resign from wedding photography, turn her photography studio into a luxury B&B, and relocate to a home office to live life on the farm. Nine months later, Bambi designed and built a Food Forest along with the help of a local permaculture group. Within six months she completed a Permaculture Design Certification (PDC), and more recently has thrown herself into the world of biodynamics and learning Regenerative Farming methods; which she is implementing into the 15 acres of land surrounding her husband's crayfish ponds. She runs a small flock of Wiltipoll Sheep using Holistic Grazing principles. Her ideal farming lifestyle would be a self-sufficient Homesteading one, with minimal input and full of beautiful organically grown seasonal produce. And of course, sharing her knowledge with those who are ready to facilitate change of their own. Bambi's journey has only just begun but her passion is palpable. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as - Facebook: Eco Convos with Dan Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist Guest was Bambi Gosbell Music by Daniel Raymxnd -- Mentions: Photography by Bambi @photographybybambi Alba Aquaculture Farm  (@albaaquaculture) Biodynamics course with Charlie Arnott https://charliearnott.com.au/ @CharlieArnottBoorowa Aaron Mears from Lulu's Perch Permaculture and The Living Classroom "TLC" @LulusPerch @LivingClassroomProject Areas of interest: - Hugelkultur - Mycelium - Espalier - Food forest - Edible garden - Homesteading - Astro calendar - Non-chemical drenching by using diatomaceous earth and apple cider vinegar (monthly, three days in a row in the lead up to a full moon - as per biodynamics) - ‘Permablitz' Favourite podcast - ‘The Regenerative Journey' with Charlie Arnott Favourite book - ‘Dark Emu' by Bruce Pasco

From Permaculture to Bees and everything in between, C. Scott Taylor is a fascinating man. We had a very enlightening chat and discussed learning Permaculture under the creator himself, Bill Mollison, and touched on how Permaculture has progressed over the years. As an avid bee keeper, Scott has a wealth of information and is more than happy to share. It really is a full conversation and we could have kept on chatting for hours. Scott moved to Australia from Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1999, and became a citizen in 2007. He did a Permaculture Design Certification (PDC) course in 1994, in Northern California, taught by Bill Mollison and a group of teachers he assembled. It was one of the most transformative sets of teachings he had ever experienced, from a masterful teacher. It was a pivotal time in his life, taking his interest in Permaculture for the previous decade to the level of professional training. Following the PDC course he returned to Santa Fe, took on design jobs for various clients and was offered an opportunity to teach an Introduction to Permaculture course at the local Community College (in the US this is equivalent to TAFE). He taught that course for two years. Scott gained a lot of experience and eventually came to realise that Permaculture is not something that can be done without the full participation of the humans involved. It is not something one can do for others: they must be part of the system. He brings to this podcast insights into how Permaculture can inspire and inform your life as a responsible part of the greater living system in which we live. Not one to give out lists of what to do, instead he prefers to share an informed framework for you to work within, avoiding common errors, and making your role easier and better. He enthusiastically encourages anyone seeking to live a healthy life as a contributor to their community to take a Permaculture Design Certification course. -- Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as - Facebook: @ecoconvos Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist Guest was C. Scott Taylor Music by Daniel Raymxnd -- Mentions: - Bill Mollison - David Holmgren - Top bar hives - Langstroth hives - PDC (Permaculture Design Course) Certification - Valley Bees (Mary Valley) Books: - RetroSuburbia by David Holmgren https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36645916-retrosuburbia - Why We Garden: Cultivating A Sense Of Place by Jim Nollman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1033646.Why_We_Garden 15 videos by Bill Mollison: - https://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/15-amazing-bill-mollison-videos-from-1995-on-odysee-com

Now this was a passionate conversation! Today we have a chat with Nick Holiday from Belvedere Farm and cover a wide range of topics including Agroecology, and why there's an important distinction between that and regenerative agriculture, the pressure on ethical farmers to follow more industrialised methods and why they are resisting. We also dispel some myths about egg production and the important difference between “free range” and “pasture raised”, which continues on from the conversation in our last episode with Stuart Andrews. The idea of community is a vital part of this convo, and Nick is a strong and outspoken advocate for ethical producers working together and competing with larger commercial producers rather than each other. Nick and Brydie Holliday are Belvedere Farm, an agroecological farm caring for a mix of owned and leased land on unceded Jinibara country near Maleny. Their main focus is looking after country, building community and destroying factory farming and the systems that support it. As a byproduct of that work, they produce delicious pasture-raised eggs, heritage-breed pork and grass fed and finished beef. This convo gets a little controversial at times and calls out some major players in the industry. Through it all, you will grow to love Nick as we do for putting his everything into everything he does. Enjoy. - - Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood  Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing'  Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist  Guest was Nick Holliday from Belvedere Farm Music by @DanielRaymxnd - - Mentions: Belvedere Farm - Website:https://belvederefarm.com.au/ (https://belvederefarm.com.au/) - Facebook and Instagram: @belvederecedarton Forage Farms: @ForageFarmsAustralia and https://www.foragefarms.com.au/ (https://www.foragefarms.com.au/)  Tin Shed Farm: @tinshedfarm.au and https://www.tinshedfarm.net/about (https://www.tinshedfarm.net/about)  Randal from Echo Valley Farm: @echovalleyfarms and https://www.echovalley.com.au/ (https://www.echovalley.com.au/)  Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance: @AFSAfoodsovereignty and https://afsa.org.au/ (https://afsa.org.au/) Tammi Jonas from Jonai Farms: @jonaifarms and http://jonaifarms.com.au/ (http://jonaifarms.com.au/)  The Food and Agribusiness Network: @foodagribusinessnetwork and https://foodagribusiness.org.au/ (https://foodagribusiness.org.au/)  Books - Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe https://www.booktopia.com.au/dark-emu-bruce-pascoe/book/9781921248016.html?fbclid=IwAR3SPzCBKQljrQKklSlflBKQ9Pct9wi3k-FIDdG9dOoosqNPXOkaBkeBxeU (https://www.booktopia.com.au/dark.../book/9781921248016.html)

In this episode, Dan talks with Stuart Andrews from Forage Farms. They discuss Regenerative Farming practises; in particular Natural Sequence Farming, his upbringing with infamous father Peter Andrews (“P.A”), along with the state of farming in Australia today and how we as consumers can support ethical farming. It is a deep conversation that will remain an important topic for years to come. Stuart Andrews is a farmer who has dedicated over 30 years of his life to understanding, practicing and teaching land rehabilitation techniques. Stuart was raised at the 1500 acre “Tarwyn Park” in Bylong, the celebrated home of Natural Sequence Farming, pioneered by Stuart's father Peter Andrews. Natural Sequence Farming (NSF) is now internationally recognised as a significant innovation in sustainable agriculture and land care, and the story of Tarwyn Park has featured on the ABC program Australian Story on four occasions, three of these being a double episode. Tarwyn Park is predominantly floodplain country and was subject to regular flooding. Stuart spent 17 years managing the property, running horses, cattle and sheep and making hay. Stuart has been involved in public education for most of his adult life. He has staged numerous successful field days at Tarwyn Park and been a guest at several field days in Victoria arranged by Healthy Ag. In 2012, Stuart Andrews co-founded Tarwyn Park Training, the principal education wing for NSF. As director of TPT, he has conducted multiple workshops on NSF with landowners in Queensland (with a focus on saving the Great Barrier Reef), New South Wales, Victoria and ACT, including with the Mulloon Institute. The current project at “Riverside”, Stuart's property in Kybong (just south of Gympie, QLD) marries Natural Sequence Farming methods with other tried and tested models of regenerative agriculture. Stuart is treating pigs and poultry as primary colonisers of infertile land and moving them across the property in a manner that emulates the intensive rotational grazing or ‘mob grazing' methods associated with Joel Salatin of Polyface farm in the US. To use the language of NSF, rather than degrade land, these animals will aggrade land, serving as ‘nutrient donors' that help to build soil fertility. Both animals graze upon a variety of existing plant species, and their disturbance of the soil stimulates the germination of seed, microbial activity and soil aeration. Land is left for long periods of recovery between short periods of grazing disturbance, creating the conditions for thriving and biodiverse pasture that can ultimately support stock. Further, by building soil nutrition and resilience, the land will be less susceptible to erosion or compaction, ensuring that less sediment enters the Mary River. Rotational grazing infrastructure is installed at a good distance from the river. This trial is intended to establish a model of land rehabilitation that can be scaled up from very small blocks to large acreages, while also allowing the farmer to derive an income from the land. It presents a terrific opportunity to train less experienced farmers in economically viable land rehabilitation. It is also a model of farming that can be conducted cooperatively between the owners of several neighbouring properties. In sum, the trial builds upon Stuart's extensive knowledge of environmentally beneficial farming practices, reflects his commitment to sharing knowledge with others, and is guided by models of sustainable/regenerative agriculture that have been highly successful elsewhere in the world. Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as -  Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan  Website: http://www.ecoconvos.com.au (www.ecoconvos.com.au) https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/supportlocal (#SupportLocal)...

Welcome to Eco Convos with Dan. I'm so glad you could make it. Keep an eye out for all our videos coming or listen the podcast on your favourite app. Talk soon Dan - Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as - Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist

In this episode, Dan talks with Charlie and Megan from The Art of Domes. They have a chat about their passion project - running workshops and spreading the love of Dome Living. They teach workshop participants how to build their own dome structures out of aircrete which is an affordable material that is light enough to move easily, provides incredible insulation properties, and (due to their igloo style) are amazingly strong and completely cyclone proof. Formally a carpenter, Charlie brings a wealth of experience to the project and traveller Megan has absolutely no prior building experience, adding a very important element to the team - aircrete domes are achievable projects for everyone. Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as - Facebook: @ecoconvos Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood Credits Production by 'MAV marketing' Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist Guests were Charlie Walshe and Megan Ricciardi from The Art of Domes Music by Daniel Raymxnd Mentions The Art of Domes
 - Website: www.artofdomes.com
 - Facebook: The Art of Domes Crystal Waters
 - Website: https://crystalwaters.org.au/ 
 - Facebook: Crystal Waters Eco Village Centre Of Applied Permaculture 
 - Website: https://permacultureeducationinstitute.org/ 
 - Facebook: Centre Of Applied Permaculture Syntropic Life
 - Facebook: Syntropic Life Gavin Ryan (artist at Woodford Folk Festival)
- https://woodfordia.org/gavin-ryan-woodfordian-artist-in-residence/
 Books - Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
https://www.booktopia.com.au/dark-emu-bruce-pascoe/book/9781921248016.html - The Secrets of the Talking Jaguar by Martin Prechtel 
https://www.booktopia.com.au/secrets-of-the-talking-jaguar-martin-prechtel/book/9780874779707.html

In this episode, Dan talks with Aaron Mears from Lulu's Perch Permaculture. They discuss what permaculture is, how and why Aaron got involved and even start to go into BioDynamics a little. Aaron is a Permaculture teacher and consultant on the Sunshine Coast who strives to build self-sufficient food growing gardens across the world. He is the manager of Lulu's Perch Permaculture Farm that he runs with his family, and has documented his gardening journey on his YouTube Channel. In 5 years, he has converted a 5-acre ornamental property into a thriving permaculture farm with market gardens, food forests, animal systems, compost engine rooms, bio char and microbe brewing. Aaron began his gardening journey as a nurse, then became a teacher and then found himself growing food in the Jordanian desert with renowned permaculturalist Geoff Lawton. He has recently begun sharing his knowledge and experience with people; teaching them how to design, build and maintain their own nutrient dense gardens on his Permaculture Design Course. Also, with an awesome team of teachers, Aaron and his friends are taking it to the next level by introducing permaculture to the public school system with the “Living Classroom Project” and teaching children as young as 5 how to grow their own food and be self-sufficient. The revolutionary program is now 18 years old and is growing from strength to strength and has attracted the attention of educators and businesses from around the world. Aaron believes that the only way to secure the future of the human race is to teach children how to reconnect with nature, grow their own organic food and get their hands back in the soil. Thank you for watching. Please Like and Subscribe to Eco Convos with Dan... and be sure to Comment and Share too! You can find us on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, as well as - Facebook: @ecoconvos  Instagram: @ecoconvoswithdan Website: www.ecoconvos.com.au #SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood Credits: Production by MAV Marketing Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist Guest was Aaron Mears from Lulu's Perch Permaculture Music by @DanielRaymxnd Mentions: * Lulu's Perch  - Facebook: @lulusperch  - Instagram: @lulus.perch.permaculture  - YouTube: Lulu's Perch  - Email: aaron_mears@hotmail.com - Phone: 0403 840 177 - PDC course: https://www.facebook.com/events/1469271893424655/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2252%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22%5B%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22share_link%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22share_link%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%22invite_link_id%5C%22%3A157221939680734%7D%7D%5D%22%7D (https://www.facebook.com/events/1469271893424655/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2252%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22[%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22share_link%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22share_link%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%22invite_link_id%5C%22%3A157221939680734%7D%7D]%22%7D) (Promo code: ECOCONVOS for July 2021 course) * The Living Classroom Aaron Sorensen Dan Deighton Vanessa Schofield * The Living Classroom (shout out to Gympie!!) - Monkland State School Facebook: @monklandstateschool (Principal Ben Ryan) * Geoff Lawton - Facebook: @geofflawtononline - ‘Greening The Desert' 4 minute clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W69kRsC_CgQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W69kRsC_CgQ) * Red Soil Organics (Aaron made reference to RSO when talking about Petrina's birthday) - Website: https://www.redsoilorganics.com.au/ (https://www.redsoilorganics.com.au/) - Facebook: @yourlocalorganics - Instagram: @redsoilorganics * Books - Mycelium Running by Paul Stamets https://www.booktopia.com.au/mycelium-running-how-mushrooms-can-help-save-the-world-paul-stamets/book/9781580085793.html...