Food is more than nourishment – it’s memory, identity, and connection. In our multicultural cities, gardens have the power to celebrate heritage, strengthen communities, and create resilience in the face of a changing climate. In this inspiring one hour Master Class Chris Williams will explore
- how growing culturally diverse foods at home or in community gardens can boost biodiversity and strengthen local ecosystems, enhance food security with a wider range of nutritious crops and foster community ties through shared gardening traditions.
- how community gardens can be designed to reflect cultural identity – from multilingual signage to crop choices that honour community heritage.
- culturally significant plants from around the world, including sweet potato, chili peppers, okra, bitter melon, amaranth, moringa, cassava, and taro – learning their growing needs and how they can enrich your plate, your garden, and your community.
Perfect for anyone passionate about gardening, culture, or climate resilience, this session will inspire you to grow food that tells stories, carries traditions, and connects us all.
This session is part of a three part series called “Grow More”. Other topics include ‘Australian Native Food Plants for Urban Gardeners.’, ‘Growing Culturally Diverse Food’ and ‘Medicinal Gardening’. Book the Series Package for discount and chance to win a free copy of Caroline Parkers Medicinal Gardening Book. Friends of SGA receive a 15% discount on Master Class full price tickets. You can become a Friend of SGA here. Green Garden Professional (GGPs) receive a 30% discount.
You will learn
- How to successfully grow culturally diverse food plants
You will get
- Free access to recording for 2 weeks
Appropriate for
Home gardeners who want to grow more culturally diverse foods
What to bring
- N/A
What to wear
N/A
Dr Chris Williams is a lecturer in Urban Horticulture at the University of Melbourne’s Burnley Campus, where he specialises in urban agriculture.
In 2014, he founded the Novel Crops Project, an initiative that introduces new and unusual edible species into cultivation – with a focus on perennial plants valued for both their beauty and their cultural connections to migrant communities.
Through this project, Chris and his students have collaborated with organisations including FareShare, City of Yarra, City of Greater Dandenong, YMCA, 3000 Acres, and the Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, helping to expand the role of diverse crops in Melbourne’s urban food landscape.
Organized by
Sustainable Gardening Australia
Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) is a not-for-profit non-government organiation dedicated to achieving a healthy biodiverse planet.
Its driving purpose is to:
- Encourage, educate and enable home and professional gardeners to adopt sustainable gardening practices to protect or enhance the natural environment;
- Provide information, education and undertake research about the natural environment;
- Reconnect people to the natural world through gardening; and
- Ensure an understanding of the impacts that gardening decisions about chemical and resource use have on the natural environment well beyond their neighbourhood.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
Terms & Conditions
SGA’s Booking Conditions
- Bookings are considered final once payment is made and no refunds will be given for non-attendance.
- If there are insufficient numbers for an event it may be cancelled or postponed by SGA. If this is the case, you will be notified and given the option of either a full refund or a transfer to a different SGA event of equivalent value.
- Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time for registration and seating
Have more questions about this class?
Grow More Culturally Diverse Food
Coming Soon: More classes in the works!
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