Event
Permaculture, People and Poultry: ORFC in the Field at Henbant
Event overview
This May, ORFC will be heading to Henbant’s 80-acre permaculture farm and agroecological education centre in North Wales to dive deep into permaculture systems with livestock in mind. Whether you are curious about permaculture, looking to learn more about holistic livestock management, or keen to connect with likeminded enthusiasts, there’s something for everyone at this In the Field event.
Join ORFC for a hands-on learning programme in this unique and thriving mosaic landscape, situated between Snowdonia and the sea. With workshops led by some of the UK’s leading practitioners, and opportunities to connect deeply to people and place, expand the horizons of your permaculture practice and design.
What’s in store
Unlock The Layers of Henbant with Matt Swarbrick on a farm tour. The growing Henbant team have turned the 80-acre site into a thriving ecosystem that produces real food, restores biodiversity, builds soil, and brings people together. Explore the land and understand the varieties of agroforestry systems and enterprises on site, including woodland pigs, beef herds, pasture laying poultry, and the market garden. This tour will look at each of these systems and their different methods and designs: from willow fences to fruit tree rows, key line systems and perennial rows, to the progress of Henbant’s agriwilding spruce plantation, and the wooded pastures.
Join Hannah Thorogood of Inkpot Farm for an interactive, fun, and highly practical workshop on Applying Permaculture Design to Livestock Systems, understanding how we can apply the design tools, ethics, and thinking of permaculture to designing livestock systems on our farms. This will be an opportunity to think practically about your own farms, so come with your ideas and questions.
Take A Bird’s Eye View of Heritage Poultry, with Ember Checkley of Thrive Poultry to explore rare, native and dual-purpose breeds, their history, and potential place in regenerative systems. This will be an opportunity to explore how people, nature and poultry can work together in permaculture frameworks, and a chance to meet and get to know a few birds too!
Experience a Masterclass on Biofertilisers with Matt Dunwell. Involved in permaculture since 1990, Matt ran Ragmans Lane Farm for 35 years, leading courses in permaculture and working with cattle, sheep and pigs, apples, shiitake mushrooms and more. Matt will be bringing his wealth of experience and expertise to lead a deep dive into nature-friendly ways to build happy and healthy soil.
Grow the UK Permaculture Movement over lunch with the Permaculture Association’s Andy Goldring, with an opportunity to share examples of how permaculture practice is being adopted by UK farmers, and learn what the Permaculture Association can offer in terms of learning and networking for farmers and farming communities. Bring your questions, comments and proposals to grow the movement together.
Early arrivals on the evening of Tuesday 19th May, will be treated to a night of stories with local folklorist Eric Maddern, and delicious pizzas from the wood oven. Farm-based feasts will continue over the course of the two days, relaxing time in the sauna, a dawn chorus bird walk, and – for those who really like to get stuck in – a chance to join in the team’s early morning veg box packing!
Get ready to gain new skills and understanding from the expert workshop leads, who will be guiding you through:
- applying permaculture design to livestock systems
- rare and heritage poultry for permaculture systems
- agroforestry with pigs
- pasture laying poultry enterprises
- biofertilisers for permaculture
- growing the UK permaculture movement
- people-centred and community-based farming
Practical Information
Meals
Lunch, tea and coffee are included in the ticket price on both days. Ticketed dinners are also available for purchase, please see further details of each dinner below, please do let us know your dietary requirements when booking your ticket. The Henbant team will be looking after catering using plenty of seasonal produce and meat produced on the Farm; there will be vegetarian and vegan options also available. Please note dinner tickets must be booked in advance by Monday, 18th May to secure your place.
