Rainbow Valley Farm

Location: Warkworth, North Island, New Zealand
Project Start Date: Started 20 years ago in 1988
Expected Completion Date: Ongoing

Project Concept:

Rainbow Valley Farm is an award-winning organic farm and model of permaculture, established in 1988 by Joe Polaischer and Trish Allen. The 21 hectare organic farm was designed on permaculture principles and ethics and over the course of 20 years has become one of New Zealand’s most well-known permaculture demonstration sites and education centres. Sadly, Joe Polaischer died in February 2008 but his wife, Trish Allen is committed to continuing the legacy they started together.

Detailed Project Description:

In 1988, in a house-truck, we arrived at the run-down farmland we had purchased in Matakana, north of Auckland, New Zealand - carrying with us a dream to become self-sufficient and tread lightly on the Earth. We had been influenced by our travels in Africa and South America and the stark evidence we found of the unfair distribution of wealth. We had also discovered permaculture and read the books by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. Permaculture made sense to us and we were keen to put it into action.

We named the farm “Rainbow Valley Farm” because we saw so many rainbows arching over our new home.

The land, considered to be “rubbish land” by local farmers, was eroded, weed and pest infested, and the heavy clay sub-soils were a bog in winter and as hard as concrete in summer. The waterways were choked with an introduced aquatic grass. The first few years were hard going, and at times we wondered if we were crazy!

But now, 20 years later, we have a highly productive organic garden and orchard, an energy-efficient passive solar home and a wonderfully rich lifestyle. Animals, birds and bees are integrated into our edible landscape. We produce most of our own food on the farm and sell our surplus at our local farmers market in Matakana. We have planted approx. 13,000 trees over the years - timber, firewood, amenity trees and over 800 fruit and nut trees.

Our compost toilets (the ultimate in recycling) help close the loop by providing rich compost for our fruit trees. What comes off the land goes back to the land. We are aiming for zero waste.

Our water comes from springs on a high point on the farm, and is gravity fed to our house and gardens. Our used water with all its nutrients goes to the orchard.

The farm has become known as a model of permaculture and now we run tours and workshops each summer to share what we have learnt with others. Over the years we have hosted groups from garden clubs, schools, kindergartens and university students from New Zealand and overseas, as well as government ministers and United Nations advisors.

We also take in interns and volunteers who work with us on the farm and take part in our daily lives.

Project Needs:

Skilled Volunteers: since Joe Polaischer’s death in February 2008, Rainbow Valley Farm is going through a transitional phase and requires volunteers and who are skilled in building, chainsaw work, fencing, forestry or orchard maintenance. We also need someone to redevelop our website. Ideally volunteers will have completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC).

Funders: Rainbow Valley Farm is seeking funding for two scholarships to enable trainees from disadvantaged regions to benefit from a comprehensive permaculture education training on the farm. The training will include a 2-week Permaculture Design Certificate Course and a 3 month (or 6 month) internship. This is a chance for interns to get fully immersed in the permaculture way of thinking and acting whilst studying on a working permaculture farm with a 20 year track record.