Regeneration Under Constraint – A Field of Gorse

Gorse

At work, I spend a great deal of time where regenerative futures is discussed as strategy, aspiration and ambition. This Lunar New Year, I took two weeks break for some needed restoration – preparing myself for a very hectic semester ahead. Sitting with my army of chickens at the farm, I have been reading Design … Read more

Firewood, Food and Fungi

Li Ping with chainsaw

It’s been a week since the massive tree limb fell off my gum tree. The powerful gusts last week managed to peel this massive limb off the tree. About 7 meters long. The sun finally came out by noon, I considered procrastinating (my neighbour said I’m the laziest farmer in the world) but eventually, got … Read more

Farm Simulator – IRL

Li Ping Thong on a mini tractor.

Back from traveling two days ago – a productive trip, but an absolutely long and arduous journey. Happy to be back to farm base. It’s only been a week, but the grass is noticeably greener. The quails have started crowing (signalling the abundance of eggs in forthcoming weeks). The dam and creek has started filling. … Read more

Regeneration Requires a Chainsaw

Li Ping Thong standing in a tree with a chain saw.

If we’re not actively regenerating – are we really designing for the future? Been catching up on my never-ending list of farm chores. Yesterday, I spent hours cutting down massive fallen tree limbs that were wedged in the trunk of another gum tree. The cut logs will be put to good use – mushroom logs, … Read more

Cows Gone Rogue

Li Ping Thong and her welsh springer spaniel, sitting next to a cow.

There’s a quote I like: “Man – despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments – owes his existence to a 6-inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains.” Paul Harvey said that. No matter how advanced we become, everything comes back to the land. I came back this weekend to … Read more

Yabbies – Nature’s Quiet Critics

A large yabbie.

Yabbies – nature’s quiet critics. 🦞 Three years ago, I bought 67 tiny yabbies from a fishing tackle shop. They were destined as bait, but I added them to the small dam at my farm – an experiment of sorts to see if I could have a self-sustaining food source at the farm (they make … Read more

A Man, A Yurt, and His World

Man standing in front of his yurt.

I’m not sure why, but the idea of nomadic and solitary life has always intrigued me. There has always been a quiet yearning to see it for myself – to understand it beyond stories or photographs. Each year, as the world slows down for end-of-year festivities, I retreat to my farm. It’s a space for … Read more