Wed 11th to Sun 15th April 2012
Turangi, Central North Island, New Zealand
First time in New Zealand for the Australasian Convergence

Come and be inspired and share your inspirations with experienced practitioners, inspiring speakers, practical ideas,  excellent networking, whole systems and small details, diverse participants, cultural exchange, transition examples, hands-on workshops..... and more.

This anthology is an inspiring addition to permaculture publications, and of interest to anyone concerned with social and evirnmental change. Launched late 2011, it tells the very personal stories of 25 Australian permaculturists, male and female, old and young, who are inspired by permaculture to work for a more sustainable world. The list of contributors include David Holgren, Max Lindeger, Rosemary Morrow, Robyn Francis, Anne-marie and Graham Brookman, Josh Burne and many more.

These stories tell how ordinary people have found the courage to enbrace the worlds problems and move beyond fear to make a difference and empower others with solutions and practical actions as inspired agents of change.

This new publication from Gaia Education features over 40 authors, including Robyn Francis, Maddy Harland, Patrick Whitefield, Albert Bates, Declan Kennedy and other key figures of the permaculture and ecovillage movements.  Edited by Chris Mare and Max Lindegger, the book is a great anthology, placed at the cutting edge of holistic, ecological design. PDF available now for free download.

“Designing Ecological Habitats – Creating a Sense of Place is an important and eloquent exploration of humanity’s limits to growth and addresses the problems arising from climate change, habitat destruction, population growth and resource depletion. This is not a book of theoretical ideas but an anthology of solutions, of experience, tried and tested, from experts all over the world. The designs and practices included in this book present a vision for the future, already tested out in ecovillages, sustainable communities and projects in many countries. These are practical low carbon solutions which provide significant improvements in the quality of life.

Such a simple solution to the declining wholesale price for broad-acre crops: Skip the middle man and connect directly with the consumers!

Working 'off farm' is no longer a necessity for Frank Boyle, local Goolmangar organic farmer. His family owned farm, a previously depleted corn field, has now been regenerated into productive fields of healthy dry-land rice and pecans and his life's path and passion has been saved due to the simple, one on one exchange at Farmer's Markets.