Newsletter #1 March 2023

Hello lovely friends,

We’re emailing you live from Topsoil HQ (our dining table), reflecting on the year that was and the year that will be.  

Firstly, thank you for your patience and grace as we move through these initial stages of the project. There certainly aren't all that many experiences that can prepare you for starting a business. However, we are most definitely at a watershed moment. One which we are eager to share with you. Below we’ll detail what we’ve done, what we're doing, how we intend to be, an update on the crowdfunding perks and a short sign-off from our team. 

What we’ve done

Events

In May 2022, we ran the Topsoil Festival at The Scenic Hotel. 2022 was all about regenerative agriculture, community integration, climate activism and mental health. We are excited to make this a yearly showcase full of provocative thought leadership and connection with community. The vibes were immaculate. Thanks to everyone who attended, cooked, demonstrated, and presented. 

Funding & PartnershipsWe are delighted to announce we are successful recipients of a Community Connections Grant from the Multicultural Communities Council of SA (MCCSA) and the Government of South Australia's Department of Human Services. Thanks to this generous support, we can develop our first minimum viable project. We are commencing this work in the next few months and will work with our culturally and linguistically diverse community members. 

We formed some amazing partnerships which have generated significant pro-bono support to assist with several aspects of the Topsoil Garden Project in the initial build phases. These contributors have donated time, materials and labour that will further enable the development of our foundational garden space in Norton Summit. Our sincerest thanks go out to BMD Group (Earthworks, building & construction), Spacecraft Design+Build (Project management/ design), Arwen Reichl (Clover Green Space Landscape Architecture) We have created our landscape concept design thanks again to Arwen, who took our ideas and, paired with Spacecraft Design Build’s design of our greenhouse, created a beautiful plan for our green spaces.

We met with the local Adelaide Hills Historical Society, which uncovered rich cultural and historical information and several vital facts about our site. Interestingly, our site was once an orchard! We look forward to enriching this understanding through engagement with Peramangk and Kaurna knowledge keepers.GovernanceWe’re in the final stages of registering Topsoil as a charity. Our amazing friend and volunteer, Conor Hilton, made this possible. Conor has gifted his skills as a registered accountant and all-around social and sustainability genius to the project. This has resulted in the forthcoming registration of Topsoil as a charity with DGR1 status. We hosted our first annual planning day, facilitated by the incredible Mayers Consulting, who donated his time and expertise on the day. This session allowed us to set 2023 priorities and set our sights on strategic goals. BuildOur application to Council for site development is well on its way. This will be put to public notification, where local constituents can voice support and provide feedback regarding developing the Topsoil Garden Project's new HQ at Norton Summit. We are confident this process will progress smoothly (touch wood). We would be delighted to hear your feedback if you live in the area.

Professional DevelopmentBoth Laura and Lilly have commenced studies in Horticultural Therapy. We attended an Intercultural Communication Training session hosted by our partners at the Multicultural Communities Council of SA. Special mention to Vicky Aranchi from MCCSA, who has provided endless support and advice.Topsoil attended the '22 Social Enterprise World Forum in September. This connected us with thousands of other purpose-driven people and was part of the world’s largest social enterprise conversation.Lilly attended Therapeutic Horticulture Australia’s 2022 annual general meeting. In October, Topsoil attended the WWF 2022 Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Local Learning Lab. Laura attended the 2022 Australian Association Bush Adventure Therapy (AABAT) annual conference held in Mylor, SA. 

What we’re doing

Laura is undertaking DBT training and co-facilitation of DBT therapeutic groups for adolescents and adults.We are finalising our building application, awaiting public notification In lieu of garden space, we are undertaking a series of community-based prototypes to activate communities of care around the State.Laura & Lilly are implementing the Topsoil Therapeutic model with a select group of  NDIS clients in their own garden spaces. Jay has successfully secured a PhD at Melbourne University to explore alternative therapies for autistic people.We are in the process of engaging critical staff and volunteer positions. We are finalising our policies and clinical plans, ready for when we begin operations at Norton Summit.

How we intend to be

Now for some radical transparency...

2022 was full on. Driven by the desire to deliver results for our amazing supporters and funders, we worked at warp speed. Where we may have been radio silent, we were pumping out an enormous amount of work that couldn't begin to be captured above. This was all in addition to the full-time roles we undertake every day. This came at a cost to our people and us. 

Embarrassingly we realised we were creating a community of care and not prioritising our own health. Clearly, we needed to evaluate the ways we were working. So we have established the following values to guide us now and into the future.

We value

The continuous pursuit of knowledge and the joy of learningBeing anti-racist and taking action in the journey towards reconciliationPromoting justice, respect & equityBuilding trusted and respected relationships Responsible disruption and working within systems to change systemsEncouraging and exhibiting transparent imperfectionOur people and their energy

Perks Update*
    

Community Hero
We’ve successfully sent this out; thank you!

Community Activator
Our website build is in the works; you can see what we’ve done so far by going to - topsoilgarden.org 

You’re Our Bedrock
We’ve started preparing your dedication rocks (with some assistance from the legend who attended our Nature Festival workshop at the Port Environment Centre). They're adorable guys! Soon these lovelies will decorate our garden paths and planter beds.

Get This Garden Started
We have sent out a custom seed blend in lovingly hand-crafted seed packets, and we’re excited to invite you up when our first batch of compost is ready! 

Topsoil Ticket and Shoutout/ Ultimate Topsoil Experience

We honoured these perks at the 2022 Topsoil Festival; we hope you had a great time! 

2023 Son of Dot Wine Dedication 
We are emailing you about the delivery of this perk shortly.

Scenic Wine & Dine
We can’t wait to deliver this perk; we just really want to break ground on the site first so we can show you the progress and celebrate the momentous occasion together. 

One of The Locals
All our newly minted locals can head up to the Scenic Hotel front bar and sit at their spot designated by a very fancy plaque (don't forget to send us a snap). (attach photo).

A Tree Dedicated to Me
We’ve picked out both fruit-producing and ornamental trees ready for planting; as soon as we plant them in the garden, we’ll let you know. 

Greenhouse Dedication
We will unveil the Greenhouse Dedication once we have put in the last lick of paint. 

*If we’ve said that we have delivered on this perk and you’ve missed out please get in touch with us via care@topsoil.org

Team sign-off

As we approach the precipice of 2023, February, the point of no return, we pause to scan our bodies for what felt sense of ourselves, each other, the project and how the world around us currently stands in commune. A temperature check, so to speak. 

Through this reflective practice, we have moved closer to one another and strengthened our resolve. 

Now more than ever, in this time of great global and individual divide, we require examples that bring us back to the basics of humanity. Birth, growth, fallow, suffering, harvest, abundance, and respectful admiration for the divine. This is what a community of care is for us. 

This project would not have been possible without you. It’s your participation and quiet confidence in us which has driven our collective to give their time, effort and energy to a project that we all continue to believe in. Thank you for being our community of care so that we can do the same for others. 

We’re grateful for the opportunity to deliver the Topsoil Garden Project to you and the people of South Australia in 2023.

We love you tremendously,

Lilly, Laura, Rose and Jay