Event Details

Course Postponement & Location Change

Due to an unexpected health issue affecting lead teacher Daniel, the Motueka/Ngātīmoti Hort 101 course has been postponed. The next Hort 101 will now be offered in early May 2026, hosted at Mangaroa Farms with field visits to Mahinga Kai in the Wellington region, ensuring the highest standard of delivery. We will also schedule an offering for Hort 101 in Motueka/Ngātīmoti at the same location and time next year.

Location

The course is hosted at Mahakaruna Farm (HEI) in Ngātīmoti, a 75-hectare certified organic property in the Motueka catchment. Morning sessions are held here, with afternoon field visits to local regenerative farms.

Field Sites

Afternoon sessions take you to three working farms:

Wild Clover Farm (Amy & Malin) – A certified organic farm in the Motueka Valley producing strawberries, orchard fruits, herbs, and flowers. Over three years, they've transitioned to regenerative practices, focusing on soil health to grow nutrient-dense produce.

Crafted Earth (Joel) – A nursery growing edible, medicinal, and ornamental plants using organic and biological methods. They run a Home Growers Course and produce flowers that blend beauty with biodiversity.

What You'll Learn

This five-day course balances scientific understanding with hands-on practice. You'll learn how to analyze and balance soil chemistry, understand biology-first principles, and make informed decisions for long-term soil regeneration.

Key themes include soil biology and microbial principles, maximizing photosynthesis for plant health, hands-on techniques like making microbial inoculations, farm system design, and building resilient, profitable growing systems while minimizing inputs and maximizing yields.

Who It's For

Designed for both novice and experienced growers, as well as environmental advocates seeking biological methods for economic and ecological resilience.

Post-Course Support

Participants gain access to online mentoring and a peer-to-peer network for continued support after completion.

Why It Matters

Conventional agriculture has depleted soil health. This course equips you with soil science knowledge and practical tools to restore ecosystems, improve farm profitability, reduce inputs, increase biodiversity, and build climate resilience through regenerative horticulture.