KSCA's ART AND FARMING PICNIC
with EPICUREAN HARVEST at Bula Mirri Farm, Hartley, NSW.
KSCA would like to invite you to join them for a picnic in the country! Regenerative farmers Erika and Hayden of Epicurean Harvest are welcoming us, and you, to visit their beautiful farm in Hartley, Bula Mirri. The day will involve a tour of their property, a picnic lunch, and a conversation about the amazing things that happen when art making, food growing and regenerative land management converge.
This is an opportunity to meet members of KSCA and some of the fantastic people they are working with, and to gain an insight into the creative future of farming in the era of an unpredictable and ever changing climate. Bula Mirri is now home to an exciting project harnessing solar energy and ecosystem symbiosis in new ways, with Erika and Hayden collaborating with Mark Swartz (Sculptor) and Bjorn Sturmberg (Solar Scientist) as part of KSCA's series of farming projects "An Artist, a Farmer and a Scientist walk into a bar...".
But wait, there's more! Just under an hour away (toward Sydney) you can see the KSCA exhibition in the Window Gallery and Atelier of Lyttleton Stores Cooperative, 1-2 Badgery Crescent, Lawson. This exhibition will feature progress works from the 8 projects that are part of 'An artist, a Farmer and a Scientist walk into a bar...', and The Hemp Initiative, another KSCA project. Scroll to the bottom for further information!
This picnic is a fundraiser for Epicurean Harvest. The money raised will help increase resilience on their farm in dry conditions with sound land planning and dam construction, helping to foster small scale creative farming livelihoods.
BOOK TICKETS HERE
THE DAY!
10:30am - WELCOME, introductions and house keeping.
11am - FARM TOUR! Learn about the farming practices that supply top restaurants in Sydney. Gain an insight into the regenerative farming methods that Erika and Hayden are implementing to build healthy soil, hold water in the landscape and support the wider ecosystem of their farm.
12:30pm/1pm - LUNCH, Bring your own picnic lunch and drink, set up under a tree and get to know each other. KSCA members, Hayden, Erika, Mark and some other special guests will lead an informal discussion about why farmers are behaving like artists, artists are working in real landscapes, and why this makes complete sense in the 21st century!
2:30pm - DEPART and head to Lyttleton Stores Window Gallery to catch the KSCA exhibition.
FAQS
How do I get to the Farm? Hartley is on the Great Western Highway two and a quarter hours from the Sydney CBD through the scenic Blue Mountains. It is a perfect Sunday day trip, and you can easily drop into some of the tourist spots of the Mountains on the way home. Bula Mirri Farm has a dirt driveway, but is suitable for 2WD and buses. Please car pool, parking is limited. There will be a paddock available to park in.
Where does the Farm Tour take me? You will join us for a short walk over the 120 acre property, where you will see the two acre vegetable garden that services some of Sydney's top restaurants, get an introduction to the cows and the story of how they are managed. You will see the landscape and what is being done to introduce a system based on PA Yeomans Keyline system, to improve water management and use, and regenerating ecosystem processes. Plus gain insight into the collaboration between Mark Swartz, Bjorn Strumberg and Epicurean Harvest along with other projects by KSCA members and guests.
What should I bring? Bring your own picnic lunch, plenty of water, a picnic rug, sensible shoes and clothes, a hat and sunblock, a jumper and a raincoat (we can hope). Also bring an interest in art and culture, farms and farm innovation, and a good sense of humour.
What should I expect? This is a day for connection and education in the country air. However it is an operating farm, which means it can be dirty, there are dangerous machinery and tools, uneven ground, wildlife, livestock, stinging nettle and electric fences. That said, being responsible and taking care of yourself and others, respecting animals, the land, signs and directions given to you, mixed with some good old common sense and you will have a BRILLIANT time outdoors learning and being with friends.
Can I bring the kids? This is an adult event; kids are welcome and free but must have careful adult supervision.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions? You can contact us via email - info@ksca.land. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
What's the refund policy? This is a social event and fundraiser to help Epicurean Harvest towards securing a water supply to the vegetable garden and greater farm. Attendees can receive a refund up to 7 days before the event.
ABOUT EPICUREAN HARVEST
Erika Watson and Hayden Druce are first generation young farmers, and owners of Epicurean Harvest, growing organic vegetables for Sydney restaurants (such as Quay, Ester, Freds and more) on 2.5 acres of their 120-acre farm, Bula Mirri. Bula Mirri is located on Wiradjuri Country, Hartley, NSW, bordering the Blue Mountains and Central West. They have relied on the weather and land for an income for five years, only two years at Bula Mirri, a place they are dedicating to regenerative and collaborative practices to provide people with connection to land, provenance, arts and food. They are part of a global movement to monitor agricultural practice and measure the regeneration of the environment for ecological improvement. Erika and Hayden both have a Diploma of Holistic Management in Sustainable Rural Lands, Business and Communities; Bachelor of Horticultural Science (Hons1); Hayden a Masters in Flavour and Aroma; Erika is experienced in project management, outreach and extension and both have backgrounds in art and music. Now at Bula Mirri and with the combination of art and science, they are farmers reigniting their creative focus towards art based on regenerative land management, climate, biology and ecosystem processes.
Their farming and produce has gained great recognition though numerous Gold Medals in the delicious. produce awards, and appeared in ABC Organic Gardener Magazine, ABC TV Gardening Australia, Gourmet Traveller magazine, Country Style Magazine.
ABOUT LYTTLETON STORES COOPERATIVE AND THE KSCA EXHIBITION
Lyttleton is a collectively managed, not-for-profit cooperative, combining local and organic groceries with artisan wares, workshops, exhibitions and a productive garden. Lyttleton's mission is to connect makers, growers, teachers and customers to create conscious, ethical and local economies (a mission resonant with KSCA's own mission). The opening night of the KSCA exhibition is Saturday the 6th of April, 2019; at 6pm the exhibition launches, and at 7:30pm there is a panel discussion facilitated by Window Gallery and Atelier Coordinator Eloise Maree Crossman, complemented with house-made organic food. The exhibition runs until the 2nd of May, 2019 (and is visitable during the Cooperative's opening hours).
