Soil Sisters

Upcoming events

Soil Sisters Waitaha / Canterbury

We have a new group started in North Canterbury and Christchurch! There is a working bee and pot luck lunch at Laughing Pukeko on Saturday 29 March. Contact us soilsistersnz@gmail.com for more information. If you’d like to be connected with the local co-ordinator about future events, get in touch!

It won’t be long until we start to wake from winter’s slumber and welcome the renewal of spring - what better time to get around the table together and enjoy some delicious kai.

Book your seat at our Spring Gathering for a rustic, delicious lunch and garden wander in the beautiful setting of Falls Retreat, Karangakahe Gorge. We’ll graze on wood-fired pizzas and organic salads, and walk through the gardens. This little forest hideaway is run by Emma Walters, who is passionate about sustainability, sourcing, and supporting local growers.

There’s about 40 spots - we hope that many of you can come along. More details below!

Sometimes I still can’t believe that I found Libby. Honestly, I became obsessed with “real” bread while in the UK. From the soil which the wheat grows, to the hands which knead the dough, every step when considered and nurtured carefully, as nature intended, contributes to its flavour and digestibility. There is so much to love about the humble loaf if you know where to find (or make) the real stuff.

Libby Moon is a sourdough alchemist, writer, food designer, stylist, and giver of healing, soul food. And a much loved Soil Sister! Having studied at The Sourdough School under Vanessa Kimbell (a leading proponent of bread as lifestyle medicine), Libby is one of New Zealand’s best sourdough bakers, hands down.

Our next meet-up will be centred around a sourdough session (45mins-ish) where Libby will inspire us to learn about wild yeast fermentation, NZ grains, and bread making. She’ll share a recipe and there’ll be plenty of opportunity to taste, learn and ask questions.

For those inspired to give bread-making a go themselves, we’ll be placing a bulk order of Milmore Downs Organic flour and Minchin’s Milling. If you’d like to place an order to take home from the meet-up, put your details in this form by Friday 24 May. You cannot buy this flour at the shop and there is no substitute!

Thank you to Liora Pine of Little Buddies Vermiculture & Waste Reduction Services who is hosting at her home in Tauwhare (between Cambridge & Morrinsville). Please RSVP as we are limited on space. More details to follow.

The new grassroots UK documentary, Six Inches of Soil, tells the inspiring story of three young British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food - to heal the soil, our health and provide for local communities. 

Thanks to Quorum Sense, we’re hosting a special screening in Cambridge open to everyone! We’ve literally hired the whole cinema. This is an opportunity to get everyone excited about soil 🪱.

Filmed over three years, this story of courage, vision and hope follows three new farmers on the first year of their regenerative agriculture journey - Anna Jackson, a Lincolnshire 11th generation arable and sheep farmer; Adrienne Gordon, a Cambridgeshire small-scale vegetable farmer; and Ben Thomas, who rears pasture fed beef cattle in Cornwall. 

Screening starts at 6.30pm, film runs for 90mins and will finish with a short discussion with local farmers/growers. Tickets $20pp, with proceeds going to Quorum Sense to continue their work supporting farmer -led learning around regenerative and biological farming practices. Suitable for all ages.

Watch the trailer / Visit quorumsense.org.nz for screenings in other towns!