Regenerative Food Production: Theory & Practice
A hands-on, immersive course exploring regenerative food systems through permaculture, agroforestry, agroecology and traditional farming practices from around the world. Learn alongside experienced producers in The Farm’s Living Classroom, gaining practical skills in soil, food production and ecosystem design within working regenerative systems.
-
A Living Classroom Intensive with Growing Roots Permaculture
Immerse yourself in the theory and practice of regenerative food production through a comprehensive, hands-on course held in The Farm’s Living Classroom. Drawing on permaculture, agroforestry, agroecology and traditional agricultural systems from around the world, this intensive program offers participants the opportunity to learn alongside experienced regenerative producers within working, evolving systems.
Over 13 days of guided learning, participants will explore systems that have been in development for more than eight years, working with natural succession to build soil, sequester carbon, create closed-loop nutrient cycles and produce abundant food, fuel, fibre and farmaceuticals. This course balances deep ecological understanding with practical, on-the-ground skills designed for real-world application.
-
This course is ideally suited to:
New landholders in the Northern Rivers and surrounds
Land managers with a focus on ecosystem health
Aspiring market gardeners and farmers
Landscapers interested in edible foodscapes
Students of permaculture, syntropic farming and agroecology seeking detailed, subtropical production guidance
-
Participants will gain practical skills and guidance in:
Ecological fundamentals with a local focus
Whole-site and farm design
Incorporating trees and perennial plants into food systems
Seasonal vegetable production
Regenerative soil management
Animal integration in intensive horticulture
Cabinet timber production
Apiary and natural beekeeping
Plant propagation and seed saving
Pruning and microclimate creation
Harvesting, cooking and preparing hardy tropical perennial foods
Understanding the local regenerative economy
-
The course includes several field trips to explore agroecology across different contexts, including:
Afterlee Ecovillage (Kyogle)
Namabunda Farm, Alstonville — a Bush Tucker agroforestry project developed with the Bundjalung Tribal Society
Car pooling options will be available.
-
This course is facilitated by the Growing Roots Permaculture and Living Agroecology teams, including:
Bunya Halasz
Designer, educator and gardening mentor working through permaculture, regenerative agroecology and successional agroforestry to support food, fuel and fibre systems grounded in ecological reverence.Matt Willis
A hands-on agroforestry practitioner passionate about learning by doing, observation, and creating resilient, beautiful edible ecologies.Kenji Kuwahata
Specialist guest tutors include
Dr. Kevin Glencross — Research fellow specialising in agroforestry, traditional agroecological systems, biodiversity, soils, climate resilience and food security.
Mikaela & Bryan (Alchemystic Fungi) — Educators exploring fungi as connective ecological systems, sharing low-impact cultivation practices and circular approaches.
Willow Hankinson — Beekeeper with over 20 years’ experience in natural beekeeping and Kenyan hive construction.
-
Course Price: $2,640
Payment plans available.
-
What to Bring on Day One
Comfortable, casual clothing
Closed-in shoes suitable for farm conditions
Pens and a notebook
An open mind and willingness to learn
Lunch is not included. We’ll break for lunch. Bring your own or purchase a quick bite from Three Blue Ducks on site.