Limestone Permaculture Bio
About us……
We are Brett, Nici, Trae and Bronte Cooper of Limestone Permaculture Farm.
Falling headlong into Permaculture nearly sixteen years ago, was due to major concerns with how we as humans were living and the continual degradation of our beautiful planet! Thus combined with Nici’s diagnosis of gastroparesis and an auto-immune disorder believed to stem from this condition sparked us into action!
We were living in the suburbs of Newcastle (NSW) back then and became 'Urban Permies' on a mission eventually showcasing Permaculture on a small 330m2 urban block rightly named ‘The Urban Squeeze'.
In May 2010 we moved to Limestone Farm in the picturesque Karuah Valley NSW with the goal of expanding on our urban permaculture knowledge & creating a highly productive and intensive one acre demonstration property here in the countryside.
So Limestone Permaculture began!
Since 2010 we have transformed our property into a truly inspirational demonstration farm & model for all to experience & learn from.
We educate regenerative & sustainable practices through Permaculture Design Principles & demonstration, affording everyone the opportunity to either begin or extend their Permaculture Gardening, Homesteading & Farming knowledge, through a series of comprehensive courses, workshops, farm tours & internships.
“Limestone Permaculture Farm is a highly productive one acre property designed & operated on permaculture principles & located in the small village of ‘Stroud Road’ just north of the historic town of Stroud & approx. one hour north of Newcastle.”

Our Permaculture Business Core Values:
- Care for the land & regenerate bio-diversity
- Develop enterprises which care for people
- Be a producer, reduce consumerism & meet real needs
- Replenish renewable resources

Our Guiding Principles:
- Observation, research & experimentation to be truly informed
- Regenerative land pays for itself
- Minimum maintenance by design of natural ecosystems
- Diversify & interconnection for resilience
- Utilising & storing renewable energies
- Achieving long term sustainability
- Educate, Demonstrate & Inspire
- Grow Local Community & Networks

Brett has over 16 years’ experience in Permaculture, the first 7 years spent as an Urban Permaculturists in Newcastle NSW & the last 9 years on their rural permaculture homestead > Limestone Farm.

Brett has a Cert IV in Permaculture through the Riverina TAFE, undertaken an Advanced Design Process Course with David Holmgren & Dan Palmer, is a Carpenter & Joiner by trade, has years of experience in Building & Landscaping, carries Diplomas in Project Management & Business Management, is certified by Permaculture Research Institute for his PDC undertaken with Allyn River Permaculture , worked on commercial market gardens and has been an avid gardener for over 35 years.

In the past, Brett has been a director on the Gloucester Food Hub, coordinator for the Mayfield Community Gardens, manager for the Stroud Growers Market and Chief Steward of the ‘Produce Pavilion’ at the Stroud Show.

Limestone Permaculture - Summer 2019/2020

Limestone Permaculture farm - Dec 2016