Courses & Workshops

We usually run one four day Introduction to Permaculture course a year in the July school holidays and two weekend Food Forest Workshops, at Queen’s Birthday weekend and again late winter/early spring. Seed Sowing workshops are usually in spring and autumn, the former being part of a longer propagation workshop which can be combined with the food forest course for a three day weekend. We also run Start Your Own Edible Garden Workshops for beginners at various times.

We can also tailor courses and workshops to your specific needs. Whether you are a business, kindy, school, community garden, marae, group of home gardeners or mums with littlies, let us know your wishes and we can arrange times, content and costs to fit.

Jo has a background in teaching and teacher training (Bsc Hons Linguistic & International Studies, Dip. TESOL, Cert. NCALNE). She studied Organic and Biodynamic agriculture in Melbourne and has two PDCs (Permaculture Design Certificates), studying under Morag Gamble at Crystal Waters Ecovillage, and Geoff Lawton in Taranaki. She has been teaching permaculture, sustainability and gardening courses since 2005 for organisations such as Environment Centre Hawke’s Bay, Taruna Organics & Biodynamics Certificate, the Building Biology & Ecology Institute and Lotus Holistic Centre. She taught horticulture at Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) for four years, and has run courses and workshops here at Kahikatea Farm since 2010. She is currently studying for a Certificate in Kai Oranga – the practice, protocol and language of growing healthy, ‘clean’ food according to Māori tradition.

If you need local accommodation whilst you attend a course or workshop, check out accommodation-options-near-Kahikatea-Farm

Truman & Leone Nuku

Intro to Permaculture Design Course 2019

We wanted to say thank you again for an informative and inspiring introduction to Permaculture. We really appreciate your generosity in sharing your vast knowledge, your home, family and positive attitude - you have opened/blown our minds! Kia ora mo tena.  He tino toki koe! Arohanui

Lydia Davis

Intro to Permaculture 2012

The whole experience has been uplifting, positive, empowering, affirming, mind expanding and FUN! Thank you, you are making such a difference through sharing your knowledge and inspiring us all. I am now confident to put some of my plans into action!

Louise Baker

Intro to Permaculture 2012

Thank you! This experience has been quietly momentous in terms of where my family and I go from here, a real turning point.

Ella

Intro to Permaculture 2014

Thank you so much for your time, and for sharing your knowledge, your home, your family, your vision and your energy.

Kim

Intro to Permaculture 2013

The local and plant knowledge Jo has is amazing. I felt just this aspect alone to be so beneficial throughout the course.

Renee Vink

Intro to Permaculture 2013

Most valuable for me to see a permaculture property in action, and a house that follows these principles too.

Alan McGregor

Intro to Permaculture 2012

Great to attend a course where people totally believe in and know about what they are teaching.

Rebekah

Intro to Permaculture 2012

This course will definitely help me in taking the steps needed to be self-sufficient. Nice to meet like-minded people. Informative, practical, well presented, great utilisation of learning styles. Covered topics thoroughly.

Jackie Lynch

Intro to Permaculture 2014

A really informative, well presented introduction to permaculture design. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone interested in permaculture.

Vicky White

Intro to Permaculture 2018

I feel confident to create a site plan and implement it now. It all felt a bit overwhelming before. I feel like I've gained an overview of the whole permaculture system and it makes sense now.

Helen Stonehouse

Intro to Permaculture 2017

Jo, you are a great teacher. The course was well thought out, well presented, nicely broken up with listening time and tasks. We will start applying (permaculture) principles as we develop our land and I will try to consider the principles in all aspects of life.

Louis Coyle

Intro to Permaculture 2014

I found the course to be fun, very knowledgeable, loved making new friends and visiting the house and lovely family. Would recommend to anyone and everyone! A+

Shane Bayley

Intro to Permaculture Course 2019

What a wealth of knowledge Jo has to share with everyone. We really appreciate the opportunity to join your family and learn from your experience. Thanks heaps!

Dr Melva Martin

Intro to Permaculture Course 2019

I found this to be one of the best courses I have attended. A balance of theory and practical. Jo is an excellent teacher who shares her knowledge and wisdom freely. I certainly learnt a lot and am going home with copious notes.