CERES Workshops and Courses
At CERES, we offer more than 70 learning programs for all ages. Take a weekend workshop to learn a new skill, or embark on a long-term course that might just change the course of your life.
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Complete Urban Farmer
Complete Urban Farmer
An introduction to the world of urban farming – a perfect portal to your own patch.
Join experienced horticulturist and permaculturist, Justin Calverley as he introduces you to the world of urban farming. The Complete Urban Farmer course combines 14 sessions including an introduction to permaculture, chook care, beekeeping, propagating and seed saving, community gardens — the list goes on!! This program will give you the skills and knowledge to apply to your own urban patch or help you decide if a career in horticulture/permaculture is for you.
A copy of Justin’s Urban Farmer book is included in your course fee.
The Complete Urban Farmer course provides you with the opportunity to achieve up to four digital badges. These badges recognise the additional knowledge, skills and achievements that can be obtained on course completion.
Course times & dates
Classes run 9am – 3pm each week on the following days:
Full 2024 Dates
+ 15/2 – 23/5 – Thursdays
+ 28/2 – 29/5 – Wednesdays
+ 10/5 – 9/8 – Fridays
+ 25/7 – 24/10 – Thursdays
+ 28/8 – 27/11 – Wednesdays
+ 6/9 – 12/12 – Fridays
Course topics
*Weekly topic order subject to change
Week 1 – Introduction to permaculture principles
Week 2 – Organic fruit production
Week 3 – Soils and their preparation
Week 4 – Growing Nutrient Dense Food
Week 5 – Beekeeping
Week 6 – Composting, worm farming and fertilisers
Week 7 – Organic vegetable production, harvesting and storage
Week 8 – Propagation
Week 9 – Seed collection and storage
Week 10 – Pest disease and weed management
Week 11 – Growing bushfoods and berries
Week 12 – Chooks
Week 13 – DIY – Backyard constructions
Week 14 – Community gardens, community-supported agriculture (CSA) and swaps
ACFE Subsidised course places
* This is an ACFE Approved Pre-accredited Course where the cost is subsidised for eligible participants.
ACFE Eligible participants are deemed eligible through an interview process with our career pathways officer. Find out more information about ACFE eligibility HERE. The costs for these participants are $150 or $117.
If you are interested in an ACFE place please fill out the enquiry form on our Learning Pathways page and our pathways team will be in touch soon.
ACFE Enquiry Form
Please complete all the following fields so our staff can contact you.
What to bring
+ 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
Trainers Profiles
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.
Donna Livermore is an educator, biologist, permaculture & gardening teacher and community activator. She is passionate about living a life of good health, sustainable abundance and with a strong connection to the environment and local community. Donna has an ongoing commitment to school education through her work in sustainability and biodiversity education.
With chickens, worms and a productive food garden in the front yard of her suburban block, Donna is reimagining what it means to live a good life in the city and shares this with others in her local community and through her Instagram page A Good Life in the City and Town.
A love of plants and insects drove Ashton Edgley’s 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.
Terms and Conditions
Our booking and refund policies, concession pricing information, FAQs, as well as other general terms and conditions can be viewed here.
COURSE DETAILS
July 25 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
14 weeks
CERES Brunswick, Corner of Roberts & Stewart Streets, Brunswick East, Victoria.
$1150*
Concession available
ACFE subsidised place: $117/$150
