Biochar Making & Activation for Soil Workshop

$25.00
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Next Date to be confirmed

Time: 1pm - 5pm


There is the option to stay longer and enjoy some dinner cooked on the fire. An extra charge applies for food.

Location: KoruKai Herb Farm, Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula


Please find Terms & Conditions as well as our cancellation policy here. When signing up for this workshop you automatically agree to the Terms & Conditions. Please make sure to read them.

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Scientists have found areas of the Amazon where soil up to 2 metres deep has high concentrations of charcoal and organic matter.

These dark-coloured soils – known as ‘terra preta’ (dark earth) – are highly fertile and have supported agriculture for centuries.

Biochar has a highly porous structure, making it a giant sponge which soaks up water, nutrients and invites microbial colonisation.

Adding biochar to your garden and pasture is an organic way to improve the soil. Research has found properly-made biochar helps the soil by holding moisture, retaining nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, raising the pH of acidic soil, reducing the incidence of plant disease, increasing plant productivity, limiting the bioavailability of heavy metals, reducing nutrient leaching.

Then there is biochar’s potential to help with climate change. Biochar can store carbon over hundreds of years (sequestration), reduce greenhouse gases methane (CH₄), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) generated during waste disposal, waste processing, and recycling, produce renewable energy.


In this hands on workshop we will talk through how to build a biochar kiln and create biochar from start to finish.

Topics include: 

  • what wood to use
  • agricultural waste suitable to turn into biochar
  • how to build a biochar kiln
  • how to build the fire to get a "flame cap"
  • how to quench the burn at the end of the process
  • we will discuss and demonstrate various ways to activate the biochar so it can be used in the garden, orchard or grazing system

Ingredients: information and practical knowledge

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Advanced Class in Natural Cheese Making

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We are so excited to bring to you an advanced class in natural cheese making. In this two-day workshop you will learn how to make a variety of aged, natural cheeses. We will be making Camembert, Cheddar and Stilton - an English blue cheese.

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Next date to be confirmed!
Time: 10am - 3pm on Saturday and 9:30-3pm on Sunday
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Accommodation options in Pigeon Bay, surrounding bays and Akaroa. A participant from Okains Bay has some budget accommodation. Get in touch for details. 

Using Medicinal Herbs for Winter Wellbeing 9th...

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In this workshop you will learn about a range of wild and cultivated medicinal herbs with antiviral and antimicrobial properties to boost immunity for the coming winter months. You will also create a unique herbal winter tea, a foot soak and an inhalation blend.

Next date: Saturday, 9th May 2026
Time: 10pm - 2:30pm

Location: KoruKai Herb Farm, Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula

Please find Terms & Conditions as well as our cancellation policy here. When signing up for this workshop, you automatically agree to the Terms & Conditions. Please make sure to read them.

Foraging Tour: Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants

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Price includes a delicious, healthy and nourishing lunch, an informative booklet and a healing salve.

Next date to be confirmed! Sign up below to get an email once we have set a new date. 
Time: 10am - 3pm

Location: Pigeon Bay waterfront, Banks Peninsula
1 hour 20 minutes from Halswell, Carpooling from Chch is usually possible.
Accommodation options in Pigeon Bay, surrounding bays and Akaroa


Please find Terms & Conditions as well as our cancellation policy here. When signing up for this workshop you automatically agree to the Terms & Conditions. Please make sure to read them.

Regenerative Management of a Lifestyle Block

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You will learn about the foundation of soil health, holistic management and holistic planned grazing, plant diversity, fodder trees, pest, disease and weed management and lots more (see more topics below). 


Next date to be confirmed! Sign up below to get an email once we have set a new date. 
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm on both days
Location: KoruKai Herb Farm, Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula

Discount available for a couple living at the same place. Please email [email protected] to sign up.

This workshop includes a comprehensive workshop booklet to take home and a nourishing lunch on both days.

PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE. Send us an email and we will work something out together.

Organic Gardening with the Soil Food Web

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A deep dive into biological/regenerative farming and gardening for soil health, human health and environmental health.
Over two days we cover the soil food web, nutrient cycling, plant and soil microbiome, making hot compost, managing a worm farm and liquid extracts.

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Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm on both days
Location: KoruKai Herb Farm, Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula

This workshop includes a comprehensive workshop book to take home and a nourishing lunch on both days.


Please find Terms & Conditions as well as our Cancellation Policy here. When signing up for this workshop you automatically agree to them. Please make sure to read them.

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We are not offering this workshop at the moment as we have put together an amazing online composting workshop, which is much more comprehensive than what we can teach in a day on the farm. The videos make you think you have actually been here and are so engaging that you won't miss a thing.
You can also go back again and again to watch content and ask questions! We are here to help. 

Please book our Online Compost Workshop instead.

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We will be working on an online version of this workshop. So stay tuned for that.

Learn how to make artisan sourdough bread successfully at home.
Please note that this workshop uses our rye sourdough starter and wheat, spelt and rye flours in the finished products.

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Date to be confirmed. 

Time: 10am - 3pm

Lunch and some afternoon tea is included!

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Gluten-free Sourdough Bread Baking Workshop

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Learn how to make gluten-free sourdough bread as well as gluten-free pizza dough and focaccia successfully at home.
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Location: KoruKai Herb Farm, Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula

Gluten-free lunch included!

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Please find Terms & Conditions as well as our cancellation policy here. When signing up for this workshop you automatically agree to the Terms & Conditions. Please make sure to read them.

Fermentation, Microbiome and Gut Health...

$149.00
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Fully booked! To go onto the waiting list please sign up below. 

This is an informative workshop for anyone interested in healthy food. No cooking skills are required. You will walk away with some easy recipes that you can implement in your own kitchen using basic equipment.

Date: Saturday, 2nd May 2026
Time: 10am-2:30pm

Location: KoruKai Herb Farm, Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula
1 hour from Halswell, Carpooling from Chch is usually possible.


Wholesome lunch included!


Please find Terms & Conditions as well as our cancellation policy here. When signing up for this workshop you automatically agree to the Terms & Conditions. Please make sure to read them.

Farm and Garden Tour

$29.00
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Date: To be confirmed for 2026
Time: 1-4pm
Place: KoruKai Herb Farm, Pigeon Bay

Children under 12 years can attend for free with adult supervision.
Please let us know if you are bringing children under 12 years!

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Date: to be confirmed

Time: 10am - 3:30pm

Location: KoruKai Herb Farm, Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula
1 hour from Halswell, Carpooling from Chch is usually possible.

Accommodation options in Pigeon Bay, surrounding bays and Akaroa

Lunch included!

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Private Farm Tour

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Guided farm tour for individuals, couples and private groups of up to 20 people. Price is the same for 1 person and for 20 people.

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Either 9:30 - 12pm or 1pm - 3:30pm
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Dates: Send a message to [email protected] to arrange a suitable date before making a booking.

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