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In issue 9 of On the Land, @alesha_tomasi shares a In issue 9 of On the Land, @alesha_tomasi shares about her journey into sheep milking at home.

For someone who struggles with conventional dairy, Alesha says that sheep milk is the perfect solution, allowing her to make all the cheese she wanted.

"Once you’ve gone without cheese for long enough, even a little bit feels pretty special. Slowly, sheep’s cheese became a bit of an addiction, and that’s when the thought crept in: how hard could it really be to produce our own?"

She says her ewe, Pearl, made the whole process so easy.

"Pearl was almost cow-like in her routine. Open the gate and she’d trot into the woodshed, hop up onto the stand, and calmly put her head through the bail. 

"Once she was milked, she’d step down and wait patiently to head back to the paddock. She worked it out quickly and was an absolute pleasure to milk."

...........

Read the full story and Alesha's sheep cheese recipes in Issue 9 of On the Land – available to purchase on our website.

➡ontheland.nz

Support more stories of resilience and homesteading like this by contributing to our PledgeMe.

https://pledgeme.co.nz/projects/8907-let-s-take-on-the-land-to-the-next-level
Why are we running a PledgeMe? -Magazines are col Why are we running a PledgeMe?

-Magazines are collapsing around the world.

-On the Land takes a lot of money and time to produce. 

-The funds will allow us to find new markets and commercial partners, making us more sustainable.

-We can continue commissioning writers and photographers.

We are not looking for donations. We are looking for subscribers.

Join our community!

https://pledgeme.co.nz/projects/8907-let-s-take-on-the-land-to-the-next-level
In issue 10 of On the Land, we feature James Runha In issue 10 of On the Land, we feature James Runham from @simply.syntropics – a Northland grower and builder who is giving people the gift of resilient food systems through syntropic agroforestry.

Planting food forests for clients all over the North Island, James has a passion for regenerative, closed-loop systems that not only yield abundant food but restore ecoystems and bring life back into landscapes.

“It’s regenerating the land while creating abundant food and shelter for us, and ecosystems for wildlife. It improves the soil quality and improves the liveability of the land.”

“The sense of resilience that these forests create is extraordinary,” James says. “It’s a way to grow an abundance of food in a short time, without costly inputs.”

........

Full story on our website and in Issue 10 – available to ship across NZ and internationally. 

➡ontheland.nz

Thanks to the folks at @getequil for showcasing their food forest for this story.
One of my favourite things to do as editor of On t One of my favourite things to do as editor of On the Land is commission photographers. 

I give them a story brief, they do the shoot, and then two weeks later a link to an image library appears in my inbox – the most striking photography you’ll ever see.

When my art director and I put the magazine together and combine those images with powerful writing, the sense of satisfaction is unparalleled. 

Where at the start there was just a vague idea about someone or something, now there’s a proper story – words and images full of raw emotion, passion, dedication and wisdom – ready to be printed on paper and sent round the country.

On the Land would be nothing without the local creatives who, every issue, share their hard-earned talents with us. They give the magazine life, and bring delight and awe to so many people around NZ.

Which is why we are so honoured to support them, to provide a paid outlet where they can share their work – in print!

With AI creating so much instability in the creative industry, On the Land’s mission is to support more and more local creatives to produce great content.

One of our plans through our PledgeMe is to increase our budget, and start the On the Land Scholarship – a fund to pay a junior writer or photographer to produce content for us for one year.

If you align with our kaupapa and value the work of local creatives, jump onto our PledgeMe, subscribe to the magazine and keep our campaign moving. 

https://pledgeme.co.nz/projects/8907-let-s-take-on-the-land-to-the-next-level

Thanks to all our photographers over the years:

@joe_harrison_photo 
@timcuff_photography 
@reneemmaphotography 
@sophiemilson 
@gionabridler 
@hamishmelville 
@sophiemerkens 
@katevanderdrift 
@ellepiggott 
@liv.vanleeuwen 
@francinephotomachine 
@peanutbuttervibesphotography
@kowhaiandthistle 
@playcreativenz 
@camillarutherford_photography 
@mydarlinglemonthyme 
@carriedobbsphotography 
@lisaquirkphotography 
@collectivedesignery
https://pledgeme.co.nz/projects/8907-help-on-the-l https://pledgeme.co.nz/projects/8907-help-on-the-land-survive-and-thrive-into-the-future
 
Old school print storytelling is what we do. On the Land is designed to be held, touched, to be read and experienced with intention, the perfect antidote to the AI and digital onslaught.

Many of our older subscribers depend on it for connection, community and knowledge. It serves a valuable purpose.

By supporting our PledgeMe, you'll help us continue providing this service.

We're at $8k thanks to so many generous people. That means we're at 20% of our goal with just under 4 weeks to go.

Remember, we don't get nothing unless we hit our target!

Join our movement, give us a pledge!

With love,

Michael
Introducing our Resilience Issue – out this week! Introducing our Resilience Issue – out this week!

With another stupendous cover by the legend @danescottcreative, Issue 10 covers all things optimism and resilience in times of economic hardship and scarcity. 

For our cover story we feature Nancy King from the @waygood_foundation_piha who has spent years turning her stunning Warkworth property into a communal hub of permaculture learning and creativity.

Then we've got the talented James Runham from @simply.syntropics and his mission helping people grow productive and regenerative food forests throughout the country.

And we have the pleasure of featuring gardening/homesteading/farming masters @tomtitfarm, @growing._goodness @threesistersfarm_ @mrs.evans.garden @coalpitgullyroad and @forceofnaturenz all sharing their insights about how we can build resilience and self-reliance fast.

Also in there is:

-@jaz.mathisen with recipes from her latest book
-@gillian.swinton on pest control 
-@thefoodfarmnz on growing grapes
-@alesha_tomasi on harvesting freshwater crayfish
-@edible.backyard on living mulch
-@permadynamics on growing mushrooms on gorse
+ heaps more!

Thanks to this beautiful community for helping pull this issue together. ❤️ 

Subscribe or buy and issue before April 28th to get yours for Mother's Day. 🎁 

#motherearth #mothersday❤️ #longliveprint #reslience #homesteading
Join our movement – help us amplify knowledge and Join our movement – help us amplify knowledge and inspiration for the land!

https://pledgeme.co.nz/projects/8907-help-on-the-land-survive-and-thrive-into-the-future
https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/8907-help-on-t https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/8907-help-on-the-land-survive-and-thrive-into-the-future

Our PledgeMe went live last week and we're now approaching the $2000 mark! 

Thanks so much to everyone who had supported us - it means the world and we are so grateful ❤️ 

We've got five weeks left! If you havent already, please visit our campaign page and jump in with a pledge! Even $10 will go so far to achieving our goal. Link above and in bio.

Remember, our goal with this campaign is to:

-Continue sharing stories and knowledge of reslience and regeneration in NZ 🌱 
-Provide a creative outlet for talented writers and photographers 📷 
-Continue publishing an awesome print product that people can hold in their hands 📖 

Much love and gratitude!

Michael
We've started a PledgeMe! 🌱✊ A message from Michae We've started a PledgeMe! 🌱✊
A message from Michael

.......................

Over the past two years, On the Land has cemented its place in NZ's homesteading, farming and growing communities, sharing stories and wisdom that inspire resilience, regeneration and sovereignty. 

From market gardeners in Auckland and off-griders in the far North to homesteaders in Nelson and beekeepers in Otago, we've shined a light on the incredible people working with the land throughout Aotearoa, while showcasing the amazing talents of the best photographers and writers in NZ.

But the unpredictable revenue and eye-watering costs and labour involved in print publishing mean we're now at a cross-roads, and On the Land needs to muster more support to ensure its viability into the future.

So we’ve launched a PledgeMe to raise the funds we need to help cover our costs, make the investments we need to grow the business and continue hiring talented creatives to produce awesome content.

Many of you have supported On the Land by subscribing, purchasing copies at stores, sponsoring content or booking advertisements. For that I am eternally grateful.

Whatever further support you can offer, by making a pledge, sharing the campaign with your friends or family, and reposting our content will go so far to helping us reach our goal.

Magazines like On the Land are endangered species. But the rarer we come, the more special we become. I are determined to buck the trend of print magazines collapsing around the world under a digital avalanche. 

On the Land is a community magazine at heart, and we are honoured to serve such a beautiful movement as the one that is thriving in backyards, paddocks, lifestyle blocks, market gardens and homesteads throughout NZ.

Thank you so much for being part of our community.

Arohanui,

Michael
On the Land Founder and Editor 💚

PledgeMe link below and in bio:

https://pledgeme.co.nz/projects/8907-help-on-the-land-survive-and-thrive-into-the-future

Video by @playcreativenz
Thanks to @newsteadorchard for providing the stage, talent and fruit!

#longliveprint #reslience #foodrevolution #homesteading #foodsovereignty
30% off our entire range! To support more people 30% off our entire range!

To support more people on their journey to resilience amid these uncertain times, we're doing a flash sale across all On the Land special editions, back issues and subscriptions.

This includes our classic How to Care for Your Poultry books – the most popular poultry guides in NZ – our In Your Back Yard: Beekeeping books, all back issues, and six-month and one-year subscriptions to On the Land.

Simply visit our shop and enter the code save30 in the coupon field.

Offer ends Sunday the 12th. 

➡ ontheland.nz
Let's Build Resilience! 🥦🐂✊ With fuel restriction Let's Build Resilience! 🥦🐂✊

With fuel restrictions looming, there’s a lot of talk right now about the impact on the cost and availability of food, and how farmers will be able to get their produce off farm and to market. 

The times are uncertain, and many people will be feeling anxious and overwhelmed by the challenges ahead.

But in many ways, this is what we've been preparing for. At On the Land, resilience and self-reliance have been key pillars since the outset. 

Much of the content we’ve published has aimed to inspire readers about the robust food and resource systems they can create with the right kind of thinking, creativity and gumption. 

Our stories have shown that people and communities can adapt and come together to weather any kind of storm – and this storm is no different.

Over the next few months, we’re going to be going hard on the topic of resilience, sharing the best information and inspiration NZ has to offer, to help all of us learn, connect, grow and thrive despite what’s happening around us. 

This content will be published in the magazine and on our website – starting with a summary of the amazing guide published by Wise Response.

Called "When the Trucks Stop: Mutual Aid Arrangements for a Fuel-Constrained Aotearoa New Zealand" it lays out practical ways you can start building resilience in your community now.

Head to ontheland.nz to read the story, or link in bio.

Much love, strength and gratitude to you all. We got this!

Michael
Do not be dismayed by the news about petrol or foo Do not be dismayed by the news about petrol or food cost. Fear and lack are tools of control, designed to disempower, keeping us idle and desperate.

Fluctuations in the cost of living have happened before, and they’ll happen again.

But the reality is, even if you have a small backyard, you have the power to offset those rises and claim sovereignty over your food.

Grow food, hunt, fish, trade with your community, support your local growers – not just now but always.

Learn about permaculture, syntropy, natural farming – methods of growing abundance and regenerating the land without costly inputs.

Remember, every seed you sow, every crop you harvest is an act of rebellion against the interests that want to keep you hopelessly dependent on their broken system.

Finally, use social media to follow the people that will inspire you to learn and build resilience, not the ones that project fear and regurgitate slop.

My favourites below:
@permadynamics 
@thefoodfarmnz 
@simply.syntropics 
@edible.backyard 
@coalpitgullyroad 
@growing._goodness 
@tomtitfarm 
@sophiemerkens 
@alesha_tomasi 
@forceofnaturenz 
@roebuckfarm 
@threesistersfarm_ 

Life is beautiful. Stay abundant and powerful! 🌕 🌿 🍅
A new companion for your coffee table! On the Lan A new companion for your coffee table!

On the Land Issue 9 is out next week and will take you on an epic journey of regeneration and reimagining!

In this issue we...

>dive deep into the world of unschooling and keeping ducks with @khemeiavalley (cover story)

>explore the ethereal yet community-driven world of biodynamics at @thewrekinvineyard 

>visit three stunning sustainable houses from the recent earthbuilding.nz conference.

>Share @thefoodfarmnz's tips on designing your property for fire safety

>Learn all about keeping donkeys with a King Country farmer.

And much more!

Subscribe to get the mag direct to your door and support traditional human storytelling.

➡ ontheland.nz

Cover shot: @danescottcreative
Calling all craftspeople – tell us about what you Calling all craftspeople – tell us about what you do!

.......

Alongside growing food and nurturing the whenua, the most important subject in On the Land is making things by hand.

Knitting, weaving, leatherwork, carpentry, blacksmithing, soap making, carving – these are just some of the many noble crafts that have a direct connection with the land and the resources it provides us.

Because all our features usually always include an element of hand-crafting, we're excited to be launching a standalone column all about the process of making things by hand.

Each issue's column will feature a different craftsperson, their journey and their process.

If you practise a craft and have some wisdom to share, we'd love to hear from you and share your work. DM us here or email editor@ontheland.nz.

Image credits:
1. @liv.vanleeuwen 
2. @joe_harrison_photo 
3. @sophiemerkens 
4. @sophiemilson 
5. @jamie.wright.photography 

#handcrafted #handcrafts #leatherwork #knitting #weaving #homesteading #blacksmithing
Looking forward to seeing all you folks at @underg Looking forward to seeing all you folks at @undergroundfestivalnz

Come visit our stall – I'll be there talking about the power of storytelling and art to drive the regeneration, and of course, peddling magazine subscriptions!

Alongside all the amazing sessions and workshops throughout the event, I will be leading a discussion on the potential of small farms to feed us and bring people together. 

See you there! Michael 🌿

#undergroundfestival #farmingfestival #soilhealth #regenag #regenerativeagriculturemovement
In issue 8, we told of the story of @mikelilianbas In issue 8, we told of the story of @mikelilianbasketmaker – a master weaver from Otago who has spent much of his life perfecting the art of making traditional French baskets out of willows.

Skilled and dedicated, Mike told us all about his life and journey; learning the craft by making baskets at A&P shows in the 1980s, travelling to France to watch traditional masters in the 1990s, and now running his artisan business from his home in Kakanui, where we grows and harvests all the willow himself.

Despite the difficulty and discipline required for weaving, Mike told us that using his hands to make beautiful crafts has brought him enormous satisfaction throughout his life, connecting him with the plants and skills of his ancestors. 

He encourages anyone with an interest in handcrafts to forget about the money and follow their passions.

Subscribe to get Issue 8 and read the full story in print.

ontheland.nz

📸 @joe_harrison_photo 
🖊 @mikeydescribes 

#weaving #basketmaking #willow #handcrafted #artisans #handcraft #frenchbasket #willowweaving #printmagazine #longliveprint
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