Central Coast Edible Garden Trail
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2022 Edible Garden Trail – Giving Back

Natural weaving at Bateau Bay Community Garden
Giving Back
18/07/2023

The success of the 2022 Central Coast Edible Garden Trail took everyone by surprise.

As a project of Permaculture Central Coast, it was always the aim of the Central Coast Edible Garden Trail to give back to the local community in some way. Funds raised from ticket sales enabled the Trail and Permaculture Central Coast to fund an outreach program of workshops for people living with a disability, as well as give a sizeable donation to twelve of the Central Coast’s wonderful community Gardens, many of which played an integral part in the workshops.

Workshop participants hold up their natural weaving works
Clockwise from top left: participants displaying natural weavings; Kerrie teaching no dig gardening; no dig gardening at SWAMP Central Coast; planting seedings in a no dig garden bed.

Outreach Program

The outreach program was designed by Sue Bradley of In8lygood and SWAMP Central Coast. By building authentic relationships across multiple organisations, the program supported community gardens and disadvantaged young people, by providing a series of engaging and hands on workshops that included –

  • Hugelkultur
  • No dig gardening
  • Building insect hotels
  • Making weed teas and natural fertilisers
  • Nature weaving
  • Composting and worm farming
  • Making medicinal teas
  • Planting and mulching a market garden and
  • Harvesting and cooking freshly picked produce

Community Collaboration

Collaboration has been key, with fifteen organisations involved, including the Central Coast Edible Garden Trail, Permaculture Central Coast, nine community gardens, You Connect, Options Disability, and Synergy Permaculture.

The sessions were facilitated by permaculture teachers Kerrie Anderson from Synergy Permaculture and Matthew Silavant from Options Disability.

“It has just been so wonderful! The participants have really engaged with the program with so much enthusiasm and joy.”

Kerrie Anderson
Clockwise from top left: making insect hotels in Wyong Neighbourhood Centre Community Garden; cooking up the harvest at Kincumber Eco Garden; time to eat at Kincumber Eco Garden; natural weaving at Bateau Bay Community Garden.

“Permaculture Central Coast is committed to caring for the earth, caring for people, and the fair share of resources. We are delighted to support this program which helps the participants connect with our environment and each other. The Edible Garden Trail and Permaculture Central Coast are not just about growing food but also about growing community and we are looking forward to seeing what other initiatives, we can grow together next year. I hope you can join us.”

clara peto, president of permaculture central coast