Apr 4, 2010
ORGANIC GROWING NEWS Newsletter 269 – March 2010
Levin Branch, NZ Soil & Health Association
www.organicnz.org/branch/Levin
Patron Fay Te Kira 364 5168 President Ian Sheen 364 3299 singa@xtra.co.nz Treasurer Liz Baucke 368 0009
Minute Secretary Val Nicol 367 8320 Secretary Annmarie Coote 367 3753
Committee Emily Williams 362 6684 Barbara van der Valk 364 3244 Jill Scott 363 7567 Michael Hunt 364 8053
Ambassador at Large: Winifred Bourn, 23a Fairfield Road, Levin Fax 368 6271, ph 368 6701
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AGM and bees!
Sunday 28th March at 1.30pm
This meeting will be held at the Horowhenua Art Society, Bath Street, Levin. Access and parking is from Kent St. Amor Walter and Emily Williams will both be talking about bees. Amor will bring an observation hive, complete with bees! Emily will give us a list of bee plants and will show us some photos of her alternative hives. There is no gate charge for the AGM but members are invited to donate a plate for afternoon tea or some plants for the sales table.
** Members are also asked to think about what causes/groups they want our branch to donate to.** Don’t forget to bring February’s newsletter to the AGM as it has your copy of last year’s minutes.
**Future group meetings:
In April we will visit Judith Balchim’s award winning home garden in Botanical Road, Palmerston North. Judith wants this to be a problem solving visit.
In May we will visit De Molen, the windmill in Foxton to see the stone ground flour making process (entry/tour fee $4 or $5). Following the tour we will visit the home of Jill Scott, for afternoon tea and will look at growing a garden in the sand.
** Share the load! Are you available once a month to put a stamp and address label on the newsletter and pop it in the post?
Saturday 27 February a special Soil & Health visit to Jill Brown’s home “Kakariki” in the Tararua Ranges.
The weather was just perfect for the un-interrupted vista of the Tasman Sea from Jill’s property; it is really a “Queen of the castle” type view!
To get there though all who took up this visit offer, were met by three 4WD vehicles and driven up a steep, windy and sometimes rough track, enough room only for one vehicle, so it was either wait and all go together or wait at a small lay by until the other vehicle could pass. All fun though, but for Jill this road is her lifeline to the outside world and it is not often that the road won’t let her through even in winter.
We met Jill’s son Jay at the first landing and entry to the micro-hydro system. Here both Jill and Jay filled us in on how they came to start this wonderful adventure to make a living home for Jill. In May 2006 the 407 acre property’s previous owners used it for logging pines and hence the ‘entrance track’! A course on Eco Intervention by Michael Lawly convinced Jill that living here would be achievable. Getting to start the setting up of the micro-hydro system took five months of cutting and lopping just to cut a track to get to the creek for a start and then dragging one kilometre of pipe for the cables up to the house for the power where it is stored in batteries, is all in all no mean feat. These lead acid batteries last 10 years and have a four hour capacity. Power is thus provided 24 hours, 7 days a week. Jill says there are very few days in a year when the back up diesel generator is needed. Solar heats the water and there is enough heat generated to run an electric heater, dishwasher, automatic washing machine and a towel heater, so life in the bush can be comfortable.
Unstable logistics (i.e. loose or moveable rocks) make having a permanent concrete type system for the intake to the micro-hydro unattainable but it is all working well and the main plus is that the creek passes through no other property so there is no likelihood of neighbouring pollution, just clear fresh water. The cost for setting up the system was $15,000. The Horizons Regional Council monitors information on flow metres.
Another trip of straight up track in the 4WD took us to the house and garden. What a view those chooks in the hen house have and the garden gets all day sun. Jill has planted a varied selection of fruit trees, the citrus trees are under planted with a herbal ley to encourage beneficial insects. Bee hives have also been included to help with the pollination. A ‘branched drain system’ takes the ‘grey water’ from the house to the fruit trees.
Only a kettle or two of water for afternoon tea was needed for the 20 something people who enjoyed a most peaceful and treasured visit to Jill’s wonderful home and property. Thanks Jill we all will have some good memories and thankful to the 4WD we didn’t have to tramp our way to the top! - Val Nicol
Levin Soil & Health - President’s Report 2009
2009 was another busy year for our branch. At the time of writing, we have about 120 members on each of our hard-copy and e-mail newsletter lists.
We started in January with a visit to Michael and Margaret Hunt’s magnificent small urban garden in Otaki. Over 40 people attended on a very hot day. The meeting was held in conjunction with Transition Town Otaki. In February about 50 people turned up to visit the equally impressive garden of our Ambassador at Large, Winifred Bourn. Kath Irvine was on hand to give a summer pruning demonstration. Also in February, we had a stall at the Manakau Medieval Market in Levin.
Our March AGM was held at Tony Robinson’s property Ramblers Flowers in Levin. Tony gave a very informative talk and slide presentation on healthy soil, and the beneficial effects of the product BioAg. In early April we had a stall at the Kapiti Sustainable Home and Garden Show, then later in the month 35 gardeners visited Common Property to learn how to grow garlic.
In May, a full house of about 40 heard Emily Williams talk about preserving food, and growing wheat and oats locally. Our June meeting saw about 30 people brave the cool weather to visit Heather Watson’s delightful Organic Bed and Breakfast, Fantails.
In July we moved into our winter talk season at Thompson House, with Amor Walter telling us about the ancient Japanese massage known as Shiatsu. Deirdre Kent informed us about Transition Towns in August. In September, Emily Williams and Pip Martin introduced us to kefir, kombucha and other fermented foods. Over 40 people attended a very well received meeting.
Our October meeting (on the first of November!) saw us outside again with Anna Royal and Kath Irvine at Anna’s property in Ohau. Members of Small Farmers and Tree Crops joined us to create another bumper crowd. We learnt about seed sowing and propagation, and held a seed swap. Also in November, Amor followed up his Shiatsu talk with a hands-on workshop.
Finally, in December about 35 members and guests came to our Christmas function at Thomas Reisinger’s lavender farm in Manakau. Thomas treated us to a superb meal after a very interesting and informative tour of the property and work sheds.
I would like to thank the committee for another year of fruitful work on your behalf. In particular, I would like to thank Jill Scott who is not standing for re-election this year. Jill has been a wonderful committee member over the last few years, especially in posting out the monthly newsletter. Would anyone in Levin or nearby like to take this on?
I have also indicated that I won’t be standing for re-election as President, although I will stay on the committee for the time being. We strongly encourage members to join the committee, or to volunteer part-time for the different jobs that need doing. Your branch is what you make of it. If you would like to help, please join us.Ian Sheen, March 2010
LEVIN SOIL AND HEALTH ASSOCIATION
Statement of Financial Position for the period 1st January to 31st December 2009
| 2008 | |
2009 | |
| $ | INCOME | |
$ |
| 22 | Subscriptions | 12 | |
| 37 | Literature | 206 | |
| 1313 | Organic Festival - Plants/Seeds | |
|
| |
Manakau Medieval Market | 324 | |
| |
Kapiti Garden Show |
544 | |
| 280 | Meeting - Gate |
574 | |
| 207 | Meetings -Sales |
308 | |
| 301 | Donations |
146 | |
| |
Newsletter ads |
180 | |
| 330 | Interest Investment |
159 | |
| 725 | Green Book ( 117) |
567 | |
| 6020 | Organic Garden Calendar (300) |
3805 | |
| 150 | Postage |
81 | |
| 44 | Raffle | |
|
| |
|
|
|
| $11,429 | Total Income | $6,906 | |
| |
|
|
|
| |
EXPENDITURE | |
|
| 52 | Advertising |
77 | |
| |
Charities Commission Fee |
75 | |
| 60 | AGM Expenses |
284 | |
| |
Stalls Festival |
274 | |
| 4 | Hall Rentals |
50 | |
| 66 | Literature |
1272 | |
| 1668 | Newsletter |
1633 | |
| 300 | Speakers |
130 | |
| 110 | Members Subs |
85 | |
| 346 | Green Book |
150 | |
| |
Table |
70 | |
| 5302 |
Organic Garden Calendar |
3438 | |
| 116 |
Stationery |
21 | |
| 179 |
Postage |
22 | |
| 700 |
Donations - Floride/GE/Organics |
429 | |
| |
Donations- Safe Food |
582 | |
| 104 |
Teas / Coffee |
30 | |
| $9,332 |
Total Expenditure |
|
$8,338 |
| $2,097 |
Net Profit (loss) - | |
-$1,432 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2009 | |
|
| |
Assets | |
|
| 3012 |
Kiwi Bank Balance |
|
957 |
| 4401 |
Kiwi Bank Call Account |
|
4720 |
| 176 |
Prepayment Festival Stall/A&P |
|
223 |
| 644 |
Stock On Hand - Green Books (383) |
|
490 |
| 2737 | Organic Garden Calendar(465) |
|
3148 |
| $10,970 |
Total Assets |
|
$9,538 |
| |
Accumulated Funds |
|
7385 |
| |
Opening Balance |
|
9482 |
| 2097 | Excess Income over Expenditure | |
-$1,432 |
| $9,482 | |
|
$8,050 |
| |
Accounts Payable | |
|
| 1488 |
OFNZ Funds held |
|
1488 |
| $10,970 |
Total Accumulated funds |
|
$9,538 |
If anyone has used planting pots or trays spare, can they contact Val.
We are also after some extra cups for our afternoon teas, if anyone wants to donate some.
Certificate in Permaculture Design - Gary and Emily Williams are starting their modular course again in March. For details phone 06 3626684 or email gary@waterscape.co.nz or see www.permaculture.org.nz
La Casa pre-baked stone-ground ORGANIC BREAD available at De Molen, Foxton
Learn to play BRIDGE. The king of card games. Clubs in Levin, Otaki, Waikanae, Paraparaumu and throughout New Zealand and the world. Keep your mind sharp and active.Weekly lessons for new players start Thursday 15 April at 7.30pm at Otaki Bridge Club. $25 for eight weeks includes course notes and club subscription for 2010. Phone Singa 06 364 3299.
REIKI – A NATURAL & EFFECTIVE HEALTH THERAPY
For further information or to make an appointment phone 3673753
Organic wholemeal flour available at de Molen windmill in Foxton. Open 10-4, 7 days. 1.5 kg for $5.80 Enquiries: phone: 06 363 5601 email: demolenfoxton@xtra.co.nz
EM (Effective Micro-organisms)
EM 1 available in 750ml, 2 litre and 20 litre containers. Bokashi Zing Compost Buckets and Bokashi Zing.
Full range of EM Ceramics and EMX. EM Practical Workshops..... to be advised.
Dave Johnston, 39 State Highway 1, Otaki, ph 06 364 6101, email lao@ihug.co.nz
A1 SHELTER BELT TRIMMERS for all your shelter belt and hedge trimming. Height reduction and decrowning now available. Competitive prices, prompt service. Phone Marty (06) 362 6737
MAWHENUA FARM - organic since 1986. Beef, hogget & lamb processed & packaged under MAF licence. Craft & knitting wools available. For price list and inquiries contact Warren and Trish Gilbert, RD 7, Dannevirke (06) 374 8281.
IMAGO ORGANIC ORCHARD (OFENZ Certified) Home grown & local fresh, dried, preserved and processed organic & spray free fruit & berries. Agrissentials Rok Solid & Organic 100 also available.Summer hours 9.00am – 5.30pm. Winter hours by arrangement. Phone Ann 06 3683858
World’s first fully certified organic SKINCARE, BODYCARE AND COSMETIC PRODUCTS.
100% free of synthetic chemicals. Discount and free shipping available.
Order on-line www.organics4you.net.nz or phone Louise (06) 364 2190
BACH FLOWER phone consultations available.
A blend of one or more of the 38 Bach flowers made uniquely for you! Also available – Rescue Remedy To make a phone apointment please call Kimberley Jeromson (Naturopath) on (06) 364 2151 or email jeromson6@hotmail.com
