The Village
Farm is an area of about 17 ha of open land
adjacent to the main residential Village on its western
boundary. The land is part of Metropolitan Adelaide
Open Space System (MOSS) – a network of open spaces
intended to be retained over the long term to provide
vegetation corridors for native flora and fauna and to
maintain the quality of the Adelaide environment by
conserving open space for the enjoyment of the whole
community. The Village is owner and custodian of this
land.
The Permaculture ethos on which the Farm will be
developed represents a means of 'caring for the earth'
through positive improvement of the land, and 'caring
for people' through provision of nutritious affordable
local food. The Farm itself will play a key role in the
long term-sustainability of the Village, enabling the
vision of producing our own local foods to
"Feed the Village by
2020".
Long-term, our aim is to produce organic food for
Village residents through a range of permaculture
activities - both on the Farm and in common spaces
within the Village proper. The Journey has started with
Villagers growing gardens around their houses and
excess produce being exchanged. As more people
settle-in, this energy can be extended to incorporate
the farm land. Submissions are being received to plant
fruit trees, establish market gardens and run chooks.
While the farm systems are being developed, we are
maintaining an annual green-mulching program based on
cereal and medic crops intended to enhance the health
and vitality of the soil. Soil depth, plant growth, and
earthworm activity are being monitored, and we are
keeping ourselves informed of new technologies that may
have relevance to the health and well being of the
Village and the wider community.
What
have we done so far?
Initial works on the land included construction
of access tracks, firebreaks, and water retention
ponds. An aerobic wastewater treatment facility located
centrally on the farm allows the Village to process its
own grey and black water locally, thus closing the loop
of water harvesting, use, and reuse. Waste is treated
and water recycled through irrigation of woodlots and
orchards, thus reducing pressure on Adelaide’s
increasingly scarce and precious water.
A group of Villagers works together as the 'Farm
Committee' to help guide the ongoing development of the
farm. The Committee is currently considering ways in
which areas of the land can best be licensed to
facilitate a range of food production activities by
individuals and groups of villagers.
If you would like
to become involved in the Farm, please contact the
current Farm Committee Coordinators, Bradley Nott
(phone 8557 7163) and Cam Waters (phone 8557 6281) or
use the"Contact Farm"form.
