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Sustainability by Social Enterprise
About Our Farm
Since 1989, Julie Firth and many friends and volunteers have shared in the vision to demonstrate the potential of ‘Permaculture‘. A practical design system for creating sustainable human cultures and economies founded upon ecological principles and an ethic of personal responsibility to make it happen.
We chose to make this vision a reality in our own semi-arid ‘Mediterranean’ climate with it’s hot summer temperatures reaching above 40°C, relentless winds that gust to 30km/h, ‘water repellent’ poor sandy soils and an annual rainfall of 450mm that falls mostly in mild winter months.
Dryland Challenge
To be successful here, where flaws in our techniques would be quickly exposed to the reality of our climate, we knew we would be contributing much needed working knowledge of Permaculture for other dryland communities.
After many years of hard work and refined design, we have proudly managed to transform our once degraded three hectare semi-rural property 11km north of the port town of Geraldton, into a productive, thriving abode of people, plants and animals.
Our Foundation
Since 2013, we have operated as a registered charity the Drylands Foundation to help us extend our work further into our Midwest region and in service of coming generations.
Our Foundation operates our farm as a not-for-profit social enterprise to demonstrate environmental sustainability solutions through Permaculture and provide environmental services and products to our regional communities.
Sustainability through Social Enterprise
As a social enterprise we utilise our long term financial surplus to self-fund our education activities and facilities.
As a registered not-for-profit organisation we are able to work with government departments and philanthropists wanting to direct funding to grass roots initiatives and partner with proactive and hands on sustainability practitioners.
You can view our activity statements for our Foundation here.
How you can Contribute
Follow Us
Stay informed with our activities and help spread the good word on our work by going to our Connect page and scubscribing as a Friend of The Drylands Permaculture Farm.
You can also follow our work on social media.
Become a Volunteer
Become a volunteer, and get a highly rewarding experience in drylands permaculture and a hands-on social enterprise. Want to learn more by getting your hands in the soil? We welcome volunteers, who wish to regularly commit time and energy for an enterprise which supports the sustainable livelihood of our dryland communities. Our activities are very varied, from nursery to office work, so there’s always something which will suit a range of people. Contact us at
Buy our Products and Services
Take a farm tour, attend one of our workshops or purchase our quality plants, seeds, gift vouchers and Garden Honey.
Visit our Store page for more information.
As a social enterprise we trade to generate a surplus that allow us to self-fund our environmental and sustainability activities.
Donate
Donate to our Drylands Foundation, a registered environmental organisation and charity. We accept donations and grants to improve our capacity to offer subsidised training.We do not have yet DGR status but it is something we are working towards.
Alternatively please contribute to our crowdfunded activities, including the development of our new workshop and study rooms on our farm. Crowd funding details coming soon.
What we Do to Make a Difference
Increase and Protect Biodiversity
Protect and restore local biodiversity through an acclimatised provenance seedbank and nursery.
Conserve and Regenerate Soils
Regenerate soils and fertile dryland environments using soil conservation and soil biology.
Educate and Research Sustainability
Educate and conduct research in sustainability within a supportive demonstration facility.
Demonstrate organic production
Demonstrate and promote minimised resource use and efficient organic production.
Partner for Sustainability
Partner and support initiatives for sustainability in dryland environments.
Contact Details
Drylands Foundation
333 David Rd (North), Waggrakine
Geraldton,Western Australia 6530
Tel. (08) 9938 1628
Mob. 0458 38 1628
Email.
ABN: 60 163 754 943
Drylands Foundation
The Drylands Permaculture Farm, is managed by the Drylands Foundation, a not-for-profit environmental organisation.
The Foundation utilises the Farm, to promote and demonstrate environmental sustainability and conservation through social enterprise.
Photo: Geraldton Giant Sunflower © J.Barber 2009