Earthworkers Regenerative Horticulture 101: Five Day Intensive Course

Book now

Earthworkers March 2025, Kirikiriroa, Hamilton

24-28th March, Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm

This Earthworkers course will be hosted by Ethos and taught on the grounds of two inspiring market gardens Tomtit & Earth Stewards run and managed by Earthworker Alumni.

Both market gardens demonstrate the growing methods covered in this course and provide the opportunity to observe their implementation on different sites and scales of production.

Enrolments close 9th February!

Earthworkers provides a comprehensive education pathway that empowers growers to master soil health principles by achieving a harmonious balance between minerals and microbes.

This 5-day course is designed to equip growers with the confidence to utilise plants and microbes effectively in restoring their soil systems.

Our course is guided by the latest soil science that aligns with and takes its cue from nature.

Whether you are a professional grower or passionate home gardener, urban farmer or environmental advocate interested in the power of biology to cultivate regeneration, this course will support you in beginning your journey towards resilience.

By the end of the course, you will have explored:

the importance of utilising biology-first principles for improving soil health
the practices that support production of nutrient dense food
practical tools and strategies to use in your own regenerative setting
how to minimise inputs such as nitrogen while maximising yield
how soil health principles improve environmental outcomes
increasing biodiversity
minimising soil erosion
developing climate change adaptation and resilience
how to cultivate pest-resistant plants to reduce the need for harmful pesticides

By attending this course you become a part of an optimistic and connected network of likeminded growers.

This course comes with online mentoring and peer-to-peer learning for continued post course support and success.

Course structure

The Earthworkers course is organised into three themes:

1.Making connections
Microbial First Principles

2.Foundations for practice
Maximising Photosynthesis

3.Practice in the field

Practical Applications of the Science

Why is Earthworkers such an important course?

Conventional growing has left soil systems devoid of organic matter and microbial life creating a legacy of ongoing environmental issues. Aotearoa’s horticulture sector has a role in restoring ecosystem function while securing food production for the next generation of growers.

While growers face increasingly difficult conditions, both growing and economically, regenerative horticultural systems offer a win-win for both economic outcomes of the grower and the environment.

The future of horticulture is to utilise comprehensive soil data to create site specific solutions. Our intention is for participants to come away with the ability to understand the soil science and strategies to support the changes required to improve their resilience.

Grounded in successful practice

Our research, innovations and education sits within a contemporary soil science framework. We combine practical experience with the wonder of new knowledge on microbial life that soil science is currently discovering. Joining these two influences together provides farmers and farmers-to-be a pathway to run a successful horticultural venture.

Daniel soil sample and group med crop.jpg

The Facilitators

Daniel Schuurman - Regenerative Agronomist

Drawing on over 40 years of expertise, Daniel serves as a trusted consultant for a diverse array of commercial growers and farmers throughout New Zealand. His services encompass comprehensive soil analysis, tailored crop programs, and hands-on technical support across a spectrum of agricultural sectors, including fruit, arable, viticulture, ornamentals, and pasture. Daniel's specialisation lies in guiding the transition away from conventional agrochemical-based practices toward biologically regenerative programs grounded in the principles of beneficial microbial activity and optimised nutrition. Through his adept guidance, farmers not only embrace regenerative growing systems but also witness tangible improvements in yields and profitability, marking a pivotal shift towards sustainable agricultural practices.

Daniel is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading regenerative horticulturists and director of Biologix and believes education is an important catalyst for the uptake of regenerative practice around the country. He is a Co-Creator and Facilitator of the Earthworkers: Regenerative Horticulture 101 course. Daniel provides mentorship to our Earthworkers Alumni network.

Sarah Smuts-Kennedy - FTLOB Founder, Earthworkers Facilitator

Sarah Smuts-Kennedy is the founder of For the Love of Bees and the OMG urban farm on Symonds Street, Auckland. She is an artist and a regenerative biology-first grower at Maunga Kererū where she has practiced permaculture, biodynamic and biology-first regenerative systems since 2010. Sarah received a Commendation for her work at For The Love of Bees, The Sustainability Superstar Award at the Sustainable Business Awards.

Sarah began seeking advice from Daniel in 2014 with her first regenerative artwork The Park. In 2018 she asked Daniel to support the development of OMG. They have worked together ever since, developing what has become the Earthworkers programme, as a mechanism to support growers become agents of positive environmental change. She is a Co-Creator and Facilitator of the Earthworkers: Regenerative Horticulture 101 course.

Book now

Earthworkers March 2025, Kirikiriroa, Hamilton

24-28th March, Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm

This Earthworkers course will be hosted by Ethos and taught on the grounds of two inspiring market gardens Tomtit & Earth Stewards run and managed by Earthworker Alumni.

Both market gardens demonstrate the growing methods covered in this course and provide the opportunity to observe their implementation on different sites and scales of production.

Enrolments close 9th February!