Early learning
Our early learning activities are based on nature connection and wellbeing, inspired by our values at CERES: “helping people fall in love with the Earth, again.”
Our early learning activities are based on nature connection and wellbeing, inspired by our values at CERES: “helping people fall in love with the Earth, again.”
Inspire young minds and create the environmental leaders of tomorrow.
CERES is a public park that is free to visit. Enjoy the green spaces, the community, and our enterprises.
Inspire young minds and create the environmental leaders of tomorrow.
CERES is a public park that is free to visit. Enjoy the green spaces, the community, and our enterprises.
Keep learning at CERES. Spend a day learning a new skill in a workshop or take a multi-week course or wellbeing program that might just change the direction of your life.
The CERES School of Nature and Climate Resource Hub is packed with resources to support your learning.
Grow a productive garden in any space. Produce organic veg, fruit, herbs, eggs and honey on your very own urban farm.
Drawing on permaculture and organic growing principles, over 12 weeks you’ll learn to establish your own diverse farm on any sized plot.
To book click on a specific session below:
It doesn’t get fresher. Grow your own nutrient dense vegetables and herbs.
Learn how to care for and prune fruit trees.
Create fertile soils with compost, worm farms and more.
Rewarding(and cute) additions to your urban farm.
Propagate plants from seed, and save and store them for next season.
Explore community gardens, community supported agriculture(CSA) and crop swaps.
A book inspired by this very course! Keep this handy guide forever.
Attend class at CERES famous park and urban farm in Brunswick.
Justin Calverley has been teaching our Complete Urban Farmer course for 10 years. When he is not taking groups of budding green thumbs through all manner of garden know-how, he runs his own Horticultural Consultation Design and Education business, Sensory Gardens. Justin‘s approach is to encourage interaction and understanding of the natural world’s systems via a mix of theory and practical sessions which see his students gain hands-on skills and knowledge.
The Complete Urban Farmer course also explores industry skills which has seen some students be inspired to make Horticulture their life-long career. Justin is a regular broadcaster on 3RRR’s “Breakfasters” and ABC “Evenings”. He is also the author of “The Urban Farmer”, available at CERES Nursery.
Jess Holland is a horticulturist with an enthusiasm for sustainability, local food systems and urban farming. Jess completed a bachelor in Environmental Science and Business Management in 2017. Since then she has worked for various bush regeneration businesses learning conservation and land management practices to revive grasslands within Victoria. She has experience in wholesale propagation for native plants and manages CERES microgreens enterprise. She has also completed a Permaculture Design Course in 2019.
Ashton Edgley‘s love of plants and insects drove his interest in beekeeping. His passion grew into a way of life and Ashton now spends his time caring for more than sixty hives – both his own and those of others. Ashton shares his love of honeybees in schools and universities by teaching others how to properly care for bees and explaining their importance in our food systems.
The Complete Urban Farmer course runs for 12 weeks. It’s an economical way to cover a lot of learning.
Week 1 – Introduction to permaculture principles
Week 2 – Organic fruit production
Week 3 – Soils and their preparation
Week 4 – Composting, worm farming and fertilisers
Week 5 – Organic vegetable production, harvesting and storage
Week 6 – Propagation
Week 7 – Seed collection and storage
Week 8 – Pest disease and weed management
Week 9 – Growing bushfoods and berries
Week 10 – Chooks & Bees
Week 11 – DIY – Backyard constructions
Week 12 – Community gardens, community-supported agriculture (CSA) and swaps
**Please note order of sessions may be subject to change.
+ Comfortable enclosed shoes/boots
+ Gardening gloves
+ Appropriate weather gear eg sunhat, casual clothes
+ Pen and paper
+ Lunch
+ Enthusiasm to learn and get your hands dirty
This course is an ACFE Approved Pre-accredited Course where the cost is subsidised for eligible participants, who have faced barriers to education and employment.
CERES is an example of permaculture design on an incredible scale. 40 years ago the 10-acre site was a rubbish tip amongst factories with nothing but rusty cars in the soil. Today it is home to urban farms, a biodiverse wetland, social enterprises practicing permaculture principles and so much more.
It is unique for a permaculture demonstration site in that no one person or group ‘owns’ CERES; it continues to be community-run and not-for-profit to this day. Learn more about us here.
Yes, all CERES Workshops and courses have a payment plan option, allowing you to pay over time. Please check our Terms and Conditions HERE regarding Payment Plans Contact adultlearning@ceres.org.au to book your place on a payment plan.
See CERES Workshops & Courses refund policy here.
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