Hi,

We are a Permaculture farm in Dorrigo, NSW.

We (Michael Jodi & Quinn) are looking for several people or a couple of families to join us on our farm and enjoy our self-sufficient lifestyle.   We would spend 12 months training you on all aspects of running the Market Garden, orchard and animal systems.  We are planning to expand our business to collaborate with some broad scale farms (out near Goondiwindi) and will need others to help run our farm over the coming years so we can help change the greater agriculture system that our society so depends on.  Although our broad scale farming involvement may last a few years, there is space on our farm for a larger community of people and the position would be ongoing.

A bit About us:

Jodi has a farming background having grown up on a cereal cropping farm near Goondiwindi.  She has also worked in agricultural extension in Australia and Thailand and has spent time as a jillaroo in the NT. 

I have a Oyster Farming background, we both studied science at uni and over the last decade we have been studying and practicing sustainable living/permaculture.

The farm is called "The Cloudy Cauldron” located on the Dorrigo plateau, (mist and clouds are a common sight) we are a mixing pot of tools, techniques, animals, and species diversity.

We have setup many of the major infrastructures and earthworks but the farm needs polishing.  We have been farming at the Cloudy Cauldron for 3-4 years now.

Some things we have set up include -

Rotational holistic grazing with fencing

Large diverse orchard with netting

Grey water reed bed

installed woodfire stove 

converted chest freezer to fridge

Multiple chook runs

Multiple chook tractors

beginning food forest planting

Commercial market garden

Seedling greenhouse

Poly tunnel greenhouse

2 Dams

6 Swales

Silver pasture with nut trees planted

Worm farms

Storage sheds

high tank for gravity water

multiple water tank installation and networked together.

Half barrel, strawberry/mint/water growing beads

citrus orchard

Bee hives

Many Compost systems

aquaponics for fish and crayfish

Animals include:

A horse

Dexter Cattle

alpacas

Many Geese

Many Chickens

Many Turkeys

a Dog

Some Future Projects will include -

Further food forest work

fencing

In house rocket stove mass heater

rocket stove outdoor bath

duel burn chamber pizza oven

Banana circles

Keyline plowing and inoculation with compost tea in pasture area.

We have a massive library of permaculture and related books, and many documentaries on computer. 

We can teach the Permaculture Design Certificate course throughout the year if people want to get the certificate.There may be some theory components to be completed in your own time for this.

We would start with a trial period of 4 weeks,

Accommodation is available, we have a small cottage in the forrest (water connected but no power, electronic devices can be charged at the house) or to stay with us in our home. Wireless internet available at the house and there is mobile phone service.  The main house runs on stand alone solar power.

No rent will be required and vegetables, eggs, meat and milk will be supplied, bulk dry goods and home made sourdough bread could be negotiated.   You would be working along side us depending on your other outside commitments.  Eventually when we need to move off farm to be at other sites the main house will be available for a reasonable rent and profits from the farm can be kept. We would return frequently to help out and continue to develop the farm.

We are quite flexible though depending on what your hopes, plans and dreams are.  (i.e. Farm share, Woofing etc)

We are open to other arrangements and have a interest in setting up a intentional community in future.

Passionate motivated people need only apply, this is an opportunity to learn and run a self-reliant farm and business.  Family are welcome.

If this sparks your interest-

Feel free to contact us directly to ask any further questions and you would be most welcome to visit and meet us and our farm.

40 Parberys Lane Dorrigo 2453

mobile 0413221890

home 02 6657 1958

email [email protected]

Michael Jodi & Quinn