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Author Archive for Mark Bennett – Page 2

Micro Earthworks Workshop (1 day)

Hidden Garden Permaculture Courses and Workshops

A practical Permaculture earthworks workshop that explores the relationship between water and land. Turn your farm, community project or urban garden into a living ecosystem.

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Organic Mongolia!

Seaberry Aerial

Late last year, Hidden Garden Sustainable Farms farming guru Mr Paul Taylor, was asked to contribute his vast knowledge of organic agricultural growing systems to the design of a truly remarkable cold-climate farming system in the heart of Mongolia. The climate in this part of the world is extreme to say the least. Annual temperatures can range from -40C to +40C and wind speeds can regularly hit the 100km/hr mark. To say that these conditions are challenging would be an understatement! The Seaberry Farm Bio Dome is being designed as a fully organic system that is 100% organic, 70% nutrient self-reliant and 100% energy self-reliant.

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Sharing the Story

Mark Bennett Great Australian StoryMark and Vanessa Bennett took their story on the road along with recipe tips and fresh produce when they presented at the Duncan Dovico “Great Australian Story” series in Melbourne on July 11th.

Mark shared his passion for fresh seasonal produce, his love of Tuscan tomatoes, and lamented the demise of local market gardens and the ability of Australian communities to feed themselves. He believes the industrialisation of our food and resulting dominance of large supermarket chains now puts a higher value on looks than taste.

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Fresh Food Closer to Christmas!

Paul on Christmas IslandLocals’ show their support and talks in Canberra prove fruitful as an indicative timeline is announced.

We were overwhelmed by the depth of support and insight from local residents and business owners on Christmas Island during our last visit in May 2012. Our offer document was well received and our invitation for shareholders is now open. Our most recent visit to Canberra was also positive and encouraging. We have now been given an indicative timeline for the tendering of the Crown Land we identified as the most suitable site for the Christmas Island Farm outlined below:

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Opening the Door to a Better Solution

Growing up on Christmas Island, co-founder Mark Bennett was hungry for fresh food from an early age. Mark’s interest in food security and passion for sustainable farming practices was inspired by his first- hand experience of living in an isolated community where you could wait months for fresh produce and delivery was dependent on the swell which often prevented container ships docking. Once unloaded there was still no guarantee of freshness, with food often spoiling on the voyage.  Paying an exorbitant price for low quality fruit and vegetables was and still is the reality facing Christmas Islanders. It is not uncommon for a normal bag of groceries to cost over 250% more than the price of mainland staples, and individual items such as iceberg lettuce and cauliflower can easily fetch $12 and $15 respectively.

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