Oliver Winn
A celebration of sustainable living is set to kick off this March with Permaculture Week 2025 – a week’s worth of events covering eco-friendly farm visits, soul dancing, cheesemaking and much more.
Permaculture Yarra Valley (PYV), ECOSS and PEACE Farm have banded together to host 23 events open to the public, taking place from 22 March at multiple locations throughout the Yarra Valley.
PYV president Robert Marston said permaculture aims to create a “harmonious and sustainable” relationship between people and the earth through sustainable practices.
“It’s nice to have a definition of permaculture but seeing what people have done and the sort of places they’ve created has lots of benefits,” Mr Marston said.
With over 400 attendees last year, 2025’s permaculture week is expected to draw in many locals of varying interests.
Those interested in getting their hands dirty can attend the Worm Farming Workshop at the PEACE Farm, while those looking for more creative events can go to a Writing With The Earth class.
But Permaculture Week is more than just working with the land.
Mr Marston said “It’s very much about involving community in every activity that we can with the idea of ultimately everybody working in harmony to achieve a sustainable lifestyle.”
“We’ve got three basic ethics, which are people care, earth care and fair share.”
Once Permaculture Week ends, Mr Marston encouraged participants to join PYV so they can get involved and promote permaculture practices in the future.
Mr Marston said later this year members of PYV will be able to undertake a permaculture design certificate course teaching the basics of permaculture and practical applications.
The practice of permaculture is crucial in maintaining food security, Mr Marston said, because a guiding principle is that “we live on soil and soil needs to be alive” in order to get the most out of crops.
To find out more, visit permacultureyarravalley.org/events
