Courses and Farm Tours

Courses, workshops and field days are a very important part of what we do at Purple Pear Farm. Currently we are not programming courses as we once did but continue to make them available to groups of 10 or more. If you have a group interested in one of the many courses we have done in the past we can perhaps provide it to fit your needs.

As we establish dates for courses and/or tours they will be accessible on our eventbrite page – just click the green button below.

Permaculture Design Course

Permaculture is a whole systems approach to ecological planning and design – a way of thinking, based on positive and creative solution-finding, which provides tools for working towards long term sustainability. It covers all aspects of human life and is grounded in practical real world design and extends into the complex realm of sustainable social design.
 
The PDC teaches students how to use information, resources and ethics to meet local needs on a limited land base, and teaches how we can utilise today’s tools and technology to shape a more sustainable and equitable world for all species.
Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours Farm Practices - Purple Pear Farm School Anambah, Australia
Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours - Purple Pear Farm School

Introduction to Permaculture

This weekend gives a snapshot of the Permaculture Design Course (PDC) and is a valuable launch pad for family sustainability.

You are introduced to the principles, ethics and techniques of permaculture and sustainable design for gardens, farms, homes and units and waste reuse. We inspect appropriately designed structures and growing systems on Purple Pear Farm and solve some design challenges.

Participants will create a group design and implement it as an element of the food forest at Purple Pear Farm.

Preserving the Bounty

This hands-on workshop will give practical instruction in aspects of canning and preserving techniques. We will look at drying and fermentation as well.

Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours - Purple Pear Farm School
Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours - Purple Pear Farm School

Mandala Gardens

The weekend course will take participants through setting up and running a Mandala garden. The Purple Pear Farm Mandala garden was inspired by Linda Woodrow and her book The Permaculture Home Garden and serves to produce food for our Community Supported Agriculture scheme. It is adaptable to almost any situation and any scale of production from horticulture to backyard gardens.

Introduction to Biodynamics

A weekend of practical instruction in biodynamics. The farmer and the gardener will benefit from this course that looks at the process of biological enhancement introduced by Rudolf Steiner.

Participants will learn about the Horn Manure preparation (BD500) and Horn Silica preparation (BD501) as well as the compost preparations and practices used in biodynamics. We will build a cow pat pit or ‘Barrel Compost’ and will look at tree paste and fungal control too. Reading the Astro calendar is a popular part of this course.

Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours - Purple Pear Farm School
Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours - Purple Pear Farm School

Compost Making

This course will take you back to the Garden of Eden and the creation of life to bring the greatest of soil building practices to our gardens and farms. Successful compost creation relies on the ingredients and the method just as it does in making a cake.

We will give you the recipe for great compost on this full day course that shares a session on theory with practical exercises.

Propagation

Growing plants from seed is rewarding, but a lack of success can be frustrating.

At Purple Pear Farm we raise our seedlings for the Community Supported Agriculture garden and will show you the things you need to do to successfully raise your own food and flowers from scratch. The course includes an introduction to moon planting.

Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours - Purple Pear Farm School
Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours - Purple Pear Farm School

Grafting

Learn how to develop practical skills in the grafting of fruit trees in this short course.
 
Experience will be gained in the use of a grafting knife.
 
If you are keen to participate, please email to check dates.

Worm Farms

This short course aims to give participants the skills to successfully keep compost worms. The ability of worms to recycle household waste into perfect plant food without any real fuss makes this a worthwhile endeavour for any urban setting.

We look at housing and feeding worms, how to use worm castings and worm tea in food production.

Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours - Purple Pear Farm School
Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours - Purple Pear Farm School

Sourdough Bread

Learn about sourdough starters and processes of establishing the ‘mother’ plant that are crucial to making sourdough and other products using the sourdough method. Take home sourdough bread recipes and practice hands on bread making techniques of mixing, hand moulding and shaping.

Cheese and Yoghurt

A practical workshop on making cheese and yoghurt in your kitchen without fancy equipment.

Participants will share in the making of a hard cheese such as a Colby, a simple cheese such as Panir and a whey Ricotta from the whey of the hard cheese. We will talk about other cheeses and make yoghurt.

Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours - Purple Pear Farm School

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FARM TOURS

Farm Tour

If you are interested in food gardening and you enjoy meeting others who do too, then you are going to love the monthly farm tour. We look at permaculture, organic growing, biodynamics, community supported agriculture, farm animals, sustainable energy, holistic farm management, water management, fruit and nut trees, mandala gardening and more.

We do this tour with emphasis on aspects most interesting to the group on the day.

Tours can still go ahead if it is raining. Please ensure you have appropriate outdoor clothing, gumboots and raincoats for wet weather and closed toe shoes, sunscreen and sun hats for hot weather.

Agriculture Courses & Farm Tours - Purple Pear Farm School

Mums and Bubs Farm Tour

These activities have been suspended and Acacia Play do the similar Holistic play here on the farm. Get in touch with Sam at acaciaplay.com.au
 
 
Children`s Activities - Purple Pear Farm School

Group Farm Tours

School groups, permaculture groups and TAFE outreach classes are some of the groups that visit regularly for a Farm Tour or for a specific study topic such as ‘bees’ or ‘compost making’.
 
We welcome and encourage groups to visit, as the farm is intended to be a demonstration site where people of all ages and skills can learn.
 
Tours can still go ahead if it is raining. Please ensure your guests have appropriate outdoor clothing, gumboots and raincoats for wet weather and closed toe shoes, sunscreen and sun hats for hot weather.
 
Please remember that Purple Pear Farm is a working farm and education centre and is only open by appointment. Although the farm is close to suburbia, please contact us before visiting or to make a booking.
Purple Pear Farm School Anambah, Australia

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Fresh Food - Purple Pear Farm

Purple Pear Farm Policy for Visitors

Purple Pear Farm is a working farm and a place of education. For everyone’s comfort and safety we have the following policies which visitors are asked to abide by:
 
  • Visitors are to ensure they wear appropriate outdoors clothing
  • Gumboots/boots and raincoats for wet weather and closed toe shoes, sunscreen and sun hats for hot weather
  • No pets
  • No alcohol or drugs
  • No inappropriate behaviour (you will be asked to leave the farm)
  • Respect for all on the farm

Gift Vouchers

Wow, imagine being able to give the gift of knowledge… What do you think of our lovely new gift voucher? We love it and want you to love sharing it!
 
If you can’t decide what to give and want to leave the fun of choosing to your recipient, why not buy them a Purple Pear Farm gift voucher?
 
A gift voucher for a Purple Pear Farm workshop or course is a great gift for anyone with an interest in food, gardening or sustainable living – perfect for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas presents.
 
These are the standard prices for our workshops. To give a Gift Voucher of another amount, or for different payment methods, please contact us directly.
 
Delivery Times
 
We think our new gift vouchers are so lovely that we hand write the details and post them out!
 
Please allow 5 working days for normal delivery and 10 days for mail outs prior to Christmas.
Farm Practices - Purple Pear Farm School Anambah, Australia