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Earthworkers March 2025, Kirikiriroa, Hamilton

24-28th March, Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm + ongoing mentoring within a network of like minded growers

5 day intensive course backed up with long-term mentoring to support farmers as they navigate the challenges of biology-first regenerative growing.

What does biology-first mean?

It describes growing practices that put the welfare of the biology in your system first. By doing this you are attempting to use every growing season to improve your soil health and economic resilience.

The systems we teach support organic, regenerative, biodynamic, syntropic and permaculture concepts and help transition conventional farmers.

Mornings are held in the classroom and afternoons on the farms.

We guide you through biology and chemistry principles in a way that makes it accessible for both beginners and seasoned growers.

Hosted on Earthworker Alumni Farms

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 March

This course balances scientific understanding with hands-on application, covering key themes essential for regenerative success integrating classroom education with real-world practice, making sure you leave with tangible skills you can apply immediately with an understanding of why you are using them.

Participants will learn how to analyze their own soil through site-specific testing and how to balance soil chemistry so that your plants, and the biological engine that supports them, thrive.  

This tailored approach is designed to equip you with the knowledge to make informed, effective decisions for long-term soil regeneration.

Over five days, you'll explore three regenerative farms, each offering a unique approach to how they are integrating restorative food production

Earthworkers Hort 101 is an integral part of an educational pathway intended to empower growers by mastering soil health principles through the achievement of a balanced synergy between minerals and microbes.

Based on cutting-edge soil science that emulates natural processes, this course is designed to be accessible to both novice and experienced growers, as well as environmental advocates interested in leveraging biological methods for economic and ecological resilience.

Following the course, participants will benefit from online mentoring and a peer-to-peer network, connecting them with a community of like-minded individuals to ensure continued support as they implement learned concepts into their own projects.”

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

What You’ll Learn

The Earthworkers course is structured around these themes:

1.     Soil Biology & Microbial First Principles – Understand how microbes drive soil health and nutrient cycling, and how to work with them to regenerate land including an introduction to microscopy and soil testing.

2.     Maximising Photosynthesis for Plant & Soil Health – Learn how to enhance plant growth by optimising photosynthesis, leading to better yields and more resilient crops.

3.     Hands-on Regenerative Farming Techniques – Gain practical skills such as making your own microbial inoculations  including seed coatings to assess soil health.

4.     Farm System Design & Management – Explore how different regenerative farms operate, from urban gardens to larger-scale production, and apply lessons to your own context.

5.     Building a Resilient & Profitable Growing System – Discover strategies to reduce inputs, increase soil fertility, and improve farm profitability through biology-first practices

Why is Earthworkers such an important course?

Why is the Earthworkers Course Significant?

Conventional agricultural practices have significantly depleted soil organic matter and microbial populations, leading to persistent environmental challenges. Aotearoa's horticultural sector plays a critical role in both restoring ecosystem functionality and ensuring sustainable food production for future generations of growers. As growers confront escalating challenges in both cultivation and economic viability, regenerative horticultural systems present a dual benefit, enhancing both farm profitability and environmental health. The future of horticulture lies in leveraging comprehensive soil data to devise tailored, site-specific solutions. The Earthworkers Course aims to equip participants with the knowledge of soil science and strategic approaches needed to enhance their operational resilience.

Grounded in Successful Practice

Our educational approach is embedded within a modern soil science framework. We integrate practical experience with cutting-edge research into microbial life, offering a blueprint for successful horticultural enterprises. By merging these insights, we provide both current and aspiring farmers with a proven pathway to manage a thriving horticultural business.

“The course opened doors for me. It helped me become an informed decision-maker. I needed to understand the why behind what we do—why we grow in ways to protect the soil and the whole ecosystem.”

Carol Ramiro - Earthworker Alumni and Head Farmer Earth Stewards

“Starting another growing project gives me a chance to apply everything I’ve already learned. But it also makes me realise there is so much more I want to know about biology-first regenerative horticulture.” 

Chris McIntoch - co-host of march Earthworker , Head Farmer and Chef Ethos farm

The Facilitators

Daniel Schuurman - Experienced 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.

Carol Ramiro - Earthworker Alumni and Earth Stewards farm manager

Carol Ramiro has been Earth Stewards farm manager since 2020.

Brit Stembridge - Earthworker Alumni and Tomtit farmer

Brit Stembridge won the Organic NZ Emerging Leader of the Year award at the Organic NZ Award in 2023 for her leadership in practicing organic regenerative systems on her farm.

Book now

Earthworkers March 2025, Kirikiriroa, Hamilton

24-28th March, Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm + ongoing mentoring within a network of like minded growers

Enrolments close 9th March

Participant Feedback - What drew you to Earthworkers?

This course was developed with the support of Auckland Council, with additional support for our ongoing Earthworkers WhatsApp mentoring