After 10 years of running workshops we have decided to finish up this wonderful group.  It has been an incredible journey.  We have made wonderful friendships, learnt so many amazing skills and developed a special simple living community.  But, as with everything, there comes a time to finish up.  I would love to sincerely thank Michele for taking on the mantle of coordinator this past couple of difficult years.  She has done an incredible job keeping the group going.  Many thanks to the numerous presenters over the years and most importantly many thanks to all th ..read more

Lacto-fermentation Workshop Notes: What is Lacto-fermentation? Lacto-fermentation is a method of food preservation in which a brine is used to create an anaerobic (no oxygen), acidic environment in which pathogens such as botulism, cannot survive. “Lactic acid is a natural preservative that inhibits putrefying bacteria. Starches and sugars in vegetables and fruits are converted into lactic acid by the many species of lactic-acid-producing bacteria. These lactobacilli are ubiquitous, present on the surface of all living things and especially numerous on leaves and roots of plants growing ..read more

From Saturday 13/2/21 Class Here's more info on preparing herbal tinctures: https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/guide-tinctures-extracts ..read more

Homemade Health and Beauty DIY Sunblock 1/2 Cup Almond or Olive Oil (Natural SPF 5) 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil (Natural SPF 4-6) 1/4 Cup Beeswax  2 Tbsp Zinc Oxide Powder (Natural SPF 2-20 depending on quantity) 2 Tbsp Shea butter (SPF 4-6) Essential oils (not citrus based!) for scent Combine almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax and shea butter in a glass jar. NOTE the jar you use will never be the same after creating and oil/zinc oxide concoction in it, so choose something you are happy to no longer use for other purposes!). Pour 2-3 inches of water in a small saucepan then line the base wi ..read more

https://birdsongmarketgarden.com.au/shop-produce/bone-broth-workshop-weds-june-19th-1pm-3pm-at-birdsong/ ​Come visit the Birdsong kitchen and learn how to make organic bone broth! Bone broth is the perfect way to extract minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon and sulphur from animal bones and fresh vegetables/herbs and transfer them into a nutritious liquid that allows these minerals to be highly bio-available to your body. It is also a great source of collagen, proline, glycine and glutamine. Well talk about sourcing quality ingredients, how to prepare, storing (using metho ..read more

Soap Making Workshop with Racheal from Birdsong Market Garden: Tickets: https://www.stickytickets.com.au/84906 Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/408806493230724 Suanne is running these Workshops in April/May: DIY Beeswax Wrap Making: Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/974895712714654 Tickets: https://www.stickytickets.com.au/84899 Food Photography: Tickets: https://www.stickytickets.com.au/84906 Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/886085015056245For more info and to book in and pay, visit the above links ..read more

Hi! Margy here.  It has been a long time since I have written anything on the blog.  A big thank you to Racheal for keeping things chugging along.  I wanted to share with you a little project I have been working on.  After being motivated to investigate visible mending at Jane Milburn's Slow Clothing Conversation last year, I have been checking out different pictures of this technique on Pinterest.  There I came across a form of visible mending that is inspired by sashiko, a form of Japanese embroidery and boro, a traditional style of patchwork used in Japan for m ..read more

Come and learn how to detox your cleaning regime with homemade alternatives to commercial products…using simple, often inexpensive ingredients. In this workshop, which will run for approximately 1.5-2 hours, I’ll show you how to make your own laundry powder, kitchen spray, gunk/adhesive remover, scouring powder, boot polish, liquid soap, air freshener, toilet cleaner and window cleaner. Cost: $35. Payment can be made by selecting and buying this workshop online at birdsongmarketgarden.com.au/2018/09/18/birdsong-green-cleaning-class-wednesday-26th-september-10am/ . This will au ..read more

https://goinggreyandslightlygreen.blogspot.com/2018/09/a-pretty-petals-workshop.html First of all, the above link is to Michele's blog on SLT's September workshop, well timed with the carnival of flowers this month in Toowoomba! Linda Brennan, author of "A Delicious Bunch" came along and inspired us all with her edible flowers and recipes...and tips on organic gardening. I was very impressed by Linda. She and her husband have even gone to the effort of doing a green house flip on their home, making it eco friendly. She obviously LOVES gardening and eating of her produce. I noticed other lit ..read more

Wow, it's been a while since I updated the blog! Sorry about that. Winter has been busier in the market garden than expected, so time has been short. SLT's Recycled Fabric Workshop in June looked to be inspiring, and Michele blogged about it here. Yesterday we held the Cheese Making workshop, with the focus on Feta and Mozzarella. For those who've never tried making cheese, most cheeses take weeks or even months to mature/age, so we had to stick to 'fresh' cheeses that can be made in a matter of hours rather than weeks! Our teacher, Patricia, is a science teacher with a emphasis on microbi ..read more