Growing gardens for the gospel

Camila Skaf NNSW Health Director

The NNSW Conference Health Department has launched a new initiative in partnership with the SoZo Retreat School to provide practical education on Syntropic Agroforestry to church members. The inaugural NNSW Syntropic Agroforestry Retreat and Workshop was held at the Stuarts Point Convention Centre from March 3 to 6. This initiative aims to promote whole-person health and restoration with the Creator by connecting people and enabling them to utilise these skills in their backyards, community gardens, farms, and other areas.

Last year, the Convention Centre managers, Danielle and Trevor Toomey, along with John Addis, an experienced syntropic gardener, Camila Skaf, and the SoZo Garden team began offering Syntropic Agroforestry workshops at Big Camp.

We were blessed with the “highest quality plant-based food” stated an attendee from Wauchope Church, and all the 31 people attending demonstrated an interest to continue to invest in the practices and principles they learnt at the retreat. These practices align with Biblical teachings, Spirit of Prophecy, and modern syntropic agriculture.

According to an attendee from Kings Creek, “the concepts and methods taught in this workshop have such enormous potential for impact in our communities and capacity to teach non-Christian community members the principles of the kingdom of heaven.”

Lisa Hayden and Edward Price from Taree Church shared that they “learnt a lot of practical information that will be utilised in the Community Garden that Taree Church is planning, as part of our strategic approach to church growth.” The pair have already surveyed their church community for interest in the proposed garden and have many who are keen to join their garden project.

Come and experience our SoZo Syntropic Garden workshop at Big Camp and stay tuned for more retreats and workshop opportunities this year.