Pip Magazine Issue 24

LYNDA BRIGHTON Lynda Brighton is a self-described creative and curious wanderer. Creativity and originality are two of the attributes she admires greatly and strives for constantly. Lynda embraces life to the full through her love of travel and experiencing local culture, craft and outdoor pursuits. One of her favourite quotes is by Roy T Bennett, who said ‘it’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.’ DENISE CULLEN Denise is a freelance writer who specialises in food, farming, travel and lifestyle. She contributes to a range of local and international publications and coaches emerging writers. Denise is also a forensic psychologist who works in prison and private practice settings. She lives with her husband, children and a menagerie of animals on the edge of the…

“In these crises, we’re repeatedly seeing the power of community” Wow, what a time we find ourselves in. Now more than ever it is feeling like the world is in crisis. From recent flooding, to war, to the pandemic and just the general effects of global warming and climate change. It feels like we are reaching a tipping point. But in the grips of all these crises we’re repeatedly seeing the power of community and how the support and generosity of everyday people to their fellow humans is what is making a difference. Don’t get me wrong, we need governments to create change on a large scale, but it is at the community level that the most immediate effects are being felt. In the recent floods, it wasn’t the governments and emergency services that…

THE DIRT ON YOUR DIRT A community science participation program at Macquarie University offers soil metal testing for would-be vegetable growers who want to make sure their soil is free of contaminants before they start planting into it. Dubbed VegeSafe, the program aims to inform growers about metal and metalloid contaminants in their garden soil and provides participants with both a formal report and, if contamination is high, advice on how to deal with the findings. VegeSafe accepts soil samples from all over Australia, it is the only service of its kind in the country and, while it’s technically a free service, the university encourages people to send a donation in with the sample to support the work of the program. For our feature on the remarkable work worms can do around your home,…

Sun Seeker SUN-TRACKING APP This comprehensive sun-tracking app is the perfect companion when planning your vegie garden, greenhouse or considering solar panels. Using GPS, a magnetometer and gyroscope, the app will tell you the correct solar position and therefore the exact path the sun will take across your yard at any time of the day or year. As well as various other handy features, it shows the sun’s direction in hourly intervals (in a flat compass or augmented reality 3D view), seasonal sunlight hours and sunrise calendar. $14.99 www.apps.apple.com/au Cream Collection DYNAMIC GARDENER APRON Available in two sizes and seven different colours, this unisex apron is one of three gardening-specific garments in a range catering to both gardeners and cooks. Made in Australia from 98 percent organic cotton which is both robust and comfortable, the Dynamic…

THE SCHOOL OF NATURE www.inkiri.com/escola-da-natureza The School of Nature (Escola da Natureza) is set within the Piracanga ecovillage, on the coast of Bahia in Brazil. It is a school of permaculture and ecological practices set up to promote – and immerse people in – planetary regeneration and engage children in nature-based experiences. Since 2011, the school has been regenerating 10 acres of degraded land (within the 100-acre ecovillage), transforming it into a food forest while becoming a reference centre for ecological design and small-scale technologies. The School’s ‘Campus Floresta’ is dedicated to the development of immersion experiences including where people stay, the programs offered and the exploration of ecological awareness and action. Visitors are welcome to learn and volunteer at both the ecovillage and the school. UNIVERSITY PERMACULTURE FARM www.localumass.com/permaculture Right on the campus of the…

There are not many things more satisfying than pulling a lemon off your own tree, picking some salad leaves to have with dinner or even unearthing potato treasures from your soil. There are some things that are a must-have in your garden that will help feed your family and now is a great time to try your hand at growing some of them. Whether you live in a house, share house, apartment or acreage, these five edible garden staples will help feed your family all through the year and all of them are just as happy in a pot or tub as they are in a garden bed. Harvesting your own produce to use for your next meal is a great way to make sure your food is nutritionally dense,…