Keen to make 2019 the year you finally start keeping bees? Growing mushrooms? Begin your garden? Or maybe even take the plunge and turn your love of gardening into a livelihood? Here you go, friend.

Since launching our first book last spring, we’ve been asked if we’re still excited about running courses – and the answer is most definitely. One of our favourite things in the world is to see people get skilled up to grow, design and DO things for themselves, and their communities. It warms our hearts, and spurs us on.

Sharing skills that make a difference, and helping people find their confidence to ‘give it a go’ is our favourite thing to do.

So! Here’s what’s on offer, in NSW + VIC, this Autumn + Winter:

Intro to Natural Beekeeping

“The course far exceeded my high expectations. Tim Malfoy’s presentation was intensely practical and informative – suitable both for novices like me, and others who had some or lots of apiary experience. The afternoon spent with the bees, beginning to identify the amazing complexities within the hives, was reassuring and really ignited my interest. An excellent course!” – Kate L

“The day was filled with a huge amount of information—anatomy, physiology, behaviour, illnesses, why go natural and even a swarm catch. Watching hive checks, being introduced to the queen and drones was fantastic. Tim has a lifelong passion for bees that is shared generously to all who attend.” – Kieran M

Upcoming dates (one only, this Autumn!):

Intro to Permaculture

“This was an extremely powerful weekend. Hearing David Holmgren speak with such grace and wit was was absolutely inspiring, and Nick’s openness and knowledge was totally encouraging. This experience reassured me that we as humans do have everything that we need to create the future that we so desperately seek, the key challenge is that it is us that needs to change first.” – Christo C

“I came with many questions and every one was answered. I have never done a course that was as interesting. Nick is a fabulous presenter.” – Brigid M

“Attending this course was the best step I have taken towards reaching my dream of starting a market garden. Olivier’s presentation was highly informative and practical as he gave us an incredible snapshot and often very humorous insight into the challenges, detailed planning, commitment and skills required to start such a venture. Three incredible days – highly recommended !” – David S

Upcoming dates:

Intro to Organic Market Gardening

“This course was everything I was looking for and more. Olivier is possibly the best teacher I’ve come across. He is knowledgeable, friendly and is able to communicate information in a straight forward manner. I had so many ‘light bulb moments’ during the course. My biggest challenge was containing my excitement at having all this great info. Gardening gold. Can not thank Olivier enough! Truly.” – Mum of 5 living on 35 acres in central west NSW

“Attending this course was the best step I have taken towards reaching my dream of starting a market garden. Olivier’s presentation was highly informative and practical as he gave us an incredible snapshot and often very humorous insight into the challenges, detailed planning, commitment and skills required to start such a venture. Three incredible days – highly recommended !” – David S

Upcoming dates:

Gourmet Mushroom Cultivation

“For someone who didn’t know a lot about mushroom cultivation, Nick’s course was a revelation to me. I am now confident with all the hands-on aspects to mushroom cultivation and very excited about getting my home based little mushroom farm for family consumption up and going. Thank you Nick and Heather for a fantastic weekend of information and activity. 10/10 from me.” – Jennie T

“The love and fascination Nick has for fungi is well and truely transmitted through his teaching. You leave the course with a new respect for mushrooms and their role in the world. This course has a plethora of information for anyone wanting to grow mushrooms at home or even to scale up to a small business. Nick clearly explains various processes you can use in different contexts, emphasising sustainable and earth first practices.” – Emmy K

Upcoming dates:

So that’s our face-to-face courses until the middle of winter. On another front, we’re working on some online learning for you all (very exciting), which will start becoming available from July onwards. And as part of that…

Milkwood free online Q&A sessions are starting soon…

Can’t make it to a Milkwood course? We’re also starting up free monthly Q&A sessions on both our Instagram and Facebook Page (one a month each, so two a month if you’re keen).

We’re gathering subjects now, if you’d like to pitch in. All requests considered, no matter how whacky, or how technical.

Milkwood Q&A #1: Using permaculture principles in your everyday: this session will be over at our Facebook page at 8pm on Thursday, Feb 7th. We’re starting with the basics – got a question? Wondering where to begin? Join us!

Milkwood Q&A #2: Growing Mushrooms: this session will be over at our Instagram account, at 8pm on Thursday 21st Feb. If you’re mushroom-curious, or already growing some but have specific questions, join us. Complete beginners welcome. It will be a fun and fungi-filled discussion.

We’re pretty excited about starting these. Future free Q&As will cover everything from container gardening to backyard greywater projects to seaweed foraging + cooking. To stay in the loop about future Q&A topics, make sure you get our newsletter, as we’ll announce each month’s topic there.

Whew! Right. And remember, there’s also our first book , which covers how to do a bunch of awesome things, AND there’s also our blog archives which have heaps of info on everything from tying up tomatoes to DIY aquaponics systems. And all for free. So now, between all those options, you literally have no excuse to get growing, or to try something new. Good luck, and let us know how you go x

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