As part of Gentle World’s vegan educational program, visitors have the opportunity to learn how to grow their own food, not just organically – which is without the use of chemicals – but without the use of any animal by-products, including manures, blood and bone meal, fish emulsion, or waste from the slaughterhouse floor (all of which are considered acceptable by organic growing standards).
As part of our team of volunteers, we are very fortunate to have the help of a man with many years of experience and extensive knowledge in the field of growing food, on both a small and large scale.
As well as being a highly talented carpenter and fine artist, Magic Rees has been an organic grower since 1980. In 1989, he co-founded the Far North Organics Association in New Zealand, where he served as a Board Member and Organic Inspection Certifier for ten years. In the year 2000, when he met Gentle World, he transitioned from organic to veganic, and became Shangri-La’s head gardener and veganic educator.
Now, eleven years later, Magic has become a friend and teacher to dozens of people at our New Zealand center. Visitors from all over the world have been fortunate enough to work alongside him, share in his valuable knowledge, and learn how they can benefit from the vegan way of living and gardening.
“Growing your own food veganically is one of the most empowering things an individual can do.
It nourishes your mind and spirit as well as your body, for you have the opportunity to grow with your garden. It also is one of the best things you can do to make a positive impact on this earth that we all share.”
~ Magic Rees
