Homesteading in Hard Times: Growing Food, Forests & Self-Sufficiency with Alex

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Tuck yourself into a shady spot or stroll through the garden — today we’re heading to the Northern Rivers to hear how one homesteader is turning challenge into abundance. 🌳🫖

In this episode of The Practical Permaculture Podcast, Alysse connects with Alex, a passionate homesteader and agroforestry advocate, about her journey transforming a drought- and bushfire-affected block into a thriving, diverse ecosystem.

From the early days of traditional veggie gardening to the deep dive into tree-based systems, Alex shares how climate challenges sparked a shift in mindset — and planting method. The two dive into the real-life learning curve of growing food in changing conditions, and how biodiversity and self-sufficiency became cornerstones of Alex’s permaculture path.

You’ll hear about:🌱 Transitioning from garden beds to agroforestry🔥 Building resilience after drought and fire🌿 The joy (and nourishment) of foraging and wild foods🐓 Integrating animals into the ecosystem🌾 Seasonal eating, edible weeds, and growing with the land🌳 Alex’s work at Daley’s Nursery and her favourite food forest picks🤝 Why community, education, and connection matter more than ever

Whether you’re deep in your own permaculture project or just starting to dig in, this episode is packed with grounded wisdom, lived experience, and the kind of inspiration that gets your hands back in the soil.

Connect with Alex:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dreamsofgreen

Website: https://dreamsofgreen.com.au/

FREE Consult: bit.ly/dreamsofgreen

Acknowledgement-We live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. We acknowledge them as holding deep ecological knowledge and their ability to live sustainably in harmony with the land. They and other ancient cultures are roots of permaculture—working with nature, fostering resilience, and ensuring balance for future generations.