On a wet, misty cold Blackheath morning the hardy members of Upper Blue Sunrise Rotary visited Blackheath Community Farm. It is situated on land donated by the Blue Mountains Christian School in Thirroul Avenue Blackheath. A huge “Thank You” to Lis Bastian for meeting us and explaining the background to the Farm and a providing a guided visit.
Members of the local community meet there each Sunday morning from 10am – 2pm to meet, garden and make friends with the common purpose of growing food sustainably using the principles of Permaculture.
Permaculture is a practical approach to the problems facing modern society based on a philosophy of think globally, act locally, and is equally as relevant to an inner city courtyard as it is to a broad acre farm. It's all about finding creative solutions to living a more sustainable life by growing local organic food, reducing energy consumption, recycling our wastes and creating habitat for other life around us.
The Blackheath Community Farm commenced 4 years ago on sloping land covered in Tree Tree and from there they have levelled land, built garden beds, a green house, composting systems and worm farms.
Permaculture philosophy focuses on building soils to gradually make them more nutrient rich and well balanced over time. Healthy soil is the key to growing healthy food. A system well illustrated in our visit today.
Lis talked about the problems they have had to overcome in particular the visiting kangaroos, bower birds, mice and rats. Solutions to these problems including the size of netting and strength of structures have been made with trial and error.
The variety of produce being grown is testament to the commitment of all the volunteers.
A quote from Lis:
“There is more life below your feet in the soil than in all the oceans of the world” – food for thought!