Image: The Food Forest, near Gawler

The South Australian Parliament has established a Select Committee to investigate and report "upon land arrangements for primary production (agriculture, viticulture and horticulture), mineral resources and regional development focussing on planning for farming sustainability and improving farming practices that promote sustainable use of our State's natural resources, a clean, green food supply for South Australia and report on advantages that this promotion may bring to the South Australian economy."

The Select Committee is currently seeking submissions in writing, closing on 25 May 2012. For further information, including the terms of reference for making submissions, contact Committee Secretary Lauren Tester on 08…

Shareability SA is a new project to promote the sharing economy here in South Australia. This means telling the stories of projects that strengthen community and lower the cost of living in South Australia through sharing, showing others what’s possible, and encouraging the replication of such initiatives (everything from tool lending libraries to child care co-ops to community gardens and more!

Bringing you the best stories, ideas and examples of sharing from South Australia and nationally, plus news from the emerging 'sharing economy' around the world!

Check it out at…

Hi all,

I'm new here and also pretty new to backyard food growing. Last year I was lucky enough to have a permablitz in my backyard and got a great start on a vegie patch and fruit orchard. I expanded on my veg patch after the blitz and had a lot to look after over Summer!

I'm keen to focus on getting more fruit trees in and indigenous plants. I'm still evaluating how much veg to grow and will definitely be doing this in a smaller way next Summer. I am also building a pergola with a friend which is slow going but exciting nonetheless. My plan is to grow grape and kiwi fruit vines over it. The kiwi vines are already in ground waiting patiently.

I figure that fruit trees are a long term food resource. They need less attention & water once established than vegies and, to me, they taste better. Also, I am experimenting with a raw food diet which requires lots of fruits.

Another plan for my garden is to have some ponds and hopefully attract…

On the evening of Tuesday 17 April 2012, farmer, writer and photographer Michael Ableman addressed an audience of almost 350 people at the Woodville Town Hall. In his presentation, and the subsequent discussion, he explored possibilities for urban agriculture, reflecting on his own experiences with urban and rural farms across North America. As part of his presentation, he gave the audience a taste of his 'manifesto' for food and farming:

1. Every city should have an urban agriculture centre; centres based on real urban or peri-urban farms that model not only the social, and cultural and ecological benefits of farming in the city, but the economic benefits as well.
2. Every city should have teams of extension agents in numbers proportionate to the populations devoted to urban food…

Flint Duxfield | ABC Rural | Wednesday, 18 April 2012

It's no secret that farmers are gradually leaving our rural landscape.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average age of farmers is 52 and climbing as young people in rural areas move to urban centres.

But farmers looking to encourage young people to get into agriculture could well be looking in the wrong place.

According to a visiting Canadian farmer and urban agriculture specialist the fight to keep farming sustainable has to begin in the cities.

"We may have the opportunity to start people down this path in the urban areas where they can still have their urban lives," says Michael Ableman who farms on a island off Vancouver.

"Then maybe that will stimulate their…

Nat Wiseman, in his backyard vegetable garden yesterday, has plans for a community scheme to share skills and tools in agriculture. Picture: Mark Brake Source: The Advertiser

Staff Writers | The Advertiser | April 16, 2012

CITY farmers are growing food in backyards, parks, verges, vacant blocks and rooftops.

In Adelaide this week, US farmer and author Michael Ableman is sharing his vision for urban agriculture at a free workshop. He said: "When I started the Centre for Urban Agriculture, no one had ever heard those two words together.

"It sounds like a…