Pip Magazine Issue 12

DR ELAINE INGHAM Dr Ingham is a microbiologist and known leader in soil biology research. Ingham earned her PhD in Microbiology with an emphasis on soil from Colorado State University in 1981. Dr Ingham is the founder of Soil Foodweb Inc. which is establishing soil testing laboratories around the world to assess soil biology. She is an author of the USDA’s Soil Biology Primer, as well as numerous scientific journal articles and magazine stories about how soil life benefits plant production. Recently, Dr Ingham is the Director of Research at the Environment Celebration Institute’s Farm in Northern California, demonstrating the methods of biological agriculture to grow plants without pesticides or inorganic fertilisers. JOE D’ALO After 20 years as a senior police investigator, Joe D’Alo handed in his badge, qualified as a licensed builder…

Hey Pipsters, Often we spend our lives walking around seeing only what is in front of us, but it is the microscopic, that which we cannot see, that is responsible for what is before us and within us. The earth we walk on is made up of a world of bacteria and other microscopic life, most of which are invisible to the naked eye, but without them we have nothing. It is this complex soil food web that makes our soil alive and able to give life to all things. The more fungi, bacteria and other microbes we have in our soil, the more nutrients can be taken up by the plants we grow and the food we eat, which in turn adds to the good microbes and bacteria in our…

Maude Farrugia is a Melbourne illustrator with her own eco-design label Cheerio Paper Co. Under the label she produces unique and playful keepsakes with the goal of making everyone’s day a little more cheery. Her illustrations and designs are featured on ethically made tea towels, tote bags, notebooks, colouring cards, pins, brooches and other treasures. She is also a mad permie, and blogs, podcasts, writes, doodles and dreams for Pip Magazine when she’s not busy drawing in Barabara-Vann (her backyard caravan studio).…

GAYO PERMACULTURE CENTRE, INDONESIA https://au.lush.com/article/field-notes-sumatras-gayo-permaculture-centre Sabar was adopted into the world of permaculture at the age of 12 when he and his brother were orphaned in the 2004 tsunami. He was taken in by IDEC, a centre for permaculture and sustainable living in Ubud, Bali, which became his home and the place where he learned all about permaculture. Now back in his home province of Aceh, Sabar is the farm manager who designed and runs Gayo Permaculture Centre (GPC). GPC was established two years ago in conjunction with Lush Handmade Cosmetics and the Orangutan Information Centre, a Sumatran NGO. Sabar’s challenge is to show by example that permaculture can maintain soil fertility on the 10 hectare site. This is important because it will give local farmers a reason to stay on their land rather…

REUSABLE BAMBOO CUTLERY SET It’s estimated that 6 million tonnes of single-use plastics (such as cutlery) is thrown in to landfill every year. This reusable cutlery set, which includes a knife, fork and spoon, is made from bamboo. It comes in a handy canvas pouch to make for easy transporting — it can sit at the bottom of your bag and be with you when you’re eating on the go. You’ll never know when you’ll be in the mood for an impromptu picnic, so no more getting stuck without a plastic-free alternative! Available in the Pip shop www.pipmagazine.com.au/shop/bamboo-cutlery-set $9.95 plus postage. MY FOOD CULTURE LUNCHBOX KITS MFC Lunchbox Kits are made from compressed rice husk fibre. They are: • Non-toxic (FDA food grade approved & BPA free) • Freezer safe • Microwave safe • Durable, yet the rice…

PERMAFUND Permafund is Permaculture Australia’s tax-deductible fund. Donations are accepted and a dedicated voluntary committee distributes the funds to worthy permaculture projects both in Australia and overseas. $500–$2000 go a long way in many countries and it’s a tangible action that demonstrates our third ethic of redistributing the surplus. You can set up a one-off or recurring payment through PayPal or you can pay by direct deposit or cheque/money order. Payments are easy to make via the website. www.permacultureaustralia.org.au/permafund SUSTAINABLE LIVING FESTIVAL 1–28 February 2019, Various locations around Melbourne Celebrating 20 years, expect Australia’s largest festival of its kind to be even bigger and better in 2019. With a program packed full of workshops, talks, forums, film, art and live performances, only organisations who ‘walk the talk’ are invited to attend. So you know…