Mandala Farm Day Program - Calmsley Hill (Abbotsbury)
A limitless future for diversability.
🌿 Join Mandala's Farm Work & Wellness Day Program! 🌿
Looking for an NDIS day program or community access that feels like a farm stay? Mandala's Farm Day Program offers a hands-on boutique experience located within the beautiful grounds of Calmsley Hill City Farm, set on 400-acres in Abbotsbury (Western Sydney), just one hour from Sydney's Northern Beaches. Our program blends work tasks, wellness, social and life skills in a nature-filled environment.
With koalas just outside our hub office, Team Members (Participants) engage in meaningful work tasks, have an opportunity to milk cows, maintain the veggie patch and lavender garden, learn bee-keeping with our stingless bee hives, watch sheep sheering, pat animals and contribute to micro-businesses, earning shared remuneration based on their contributions.
The farm is home to a variety of animals, including horses, donkeys, goats, chickens, peacocks, koalas, cows, sheep, camels, emus, kangaroos and much more!
With limited spots available, our boutique program ensures a personal, tailored experience to help Team Members grow, thrive, and connect with nature.
Contact us today to join the Mandala Farm Day Program, or learn more below.
Develop Work, Social & Life Skills
Our Micro-Businesses
ACTIVITIES
Farm Hub
Our Farm Hub is located within the beautiful grounds of Calmsley Hill City Farm (Abbotsbury). It is the base for Mandala's Farm Day Program, situated next to the koala sanctuary makes it all the more special with koala's at our doorstep!
The Farm Hub operates Monday to Friday, 9am -3pm and accommodates a small group of participants per day, along with their support workers.
Activities in the Farm Hub include:
- Making Products: Participants will have an opportunity to learn how to make products using farm inspired ingredients such as honey, lavender and goats milk.
- Packaging Products: Labelling and packaging will be completed by participants to ensure products are ready for sale.
- Learning Marketing & Inventory Management: Participants will be involved in managing the inventory of ingredients, products and packaging, as well as marketing online.
- Preparing for Market Day: The hub will house the products for market day and allow participants to prepare stock for the markets.
Activities
Daily Shows & Education
At Mandala, we believe in offering a dynamic and engaging experience that combines learning with farm activities. Daily Shows & Education are designed to educate, entertain, and immerse our participants in the rich, diverse world of farm life.
Throughout the day, participants have the opportunity to join in interactive, educational shows that bring the farm to life. Whether you're a lover of animals, nature, or simply curious about how things work on a farm, the shows are a great way to discover new things and enjoy the beauty of rural life.
- Animal Interaction Shows: Watch demonstrations of animal care routines and farming practices. Get up close with the friendly animals, including cows, sheep, koalas, working dogs and more!
- Cow Milking: Learn the art of milking cows from experienced farmers. Get involved in the process, and discover how fresh milk goes from cow to cup.
- Sheep Shearing: Experience live sheep shearing demonstrations, where you can learn about the process, the importance of wool, and how it's prepared for use.
- Animal Feeding Sessions: Participate in feeding sessions for various farm animals. See how each animal has unique feeding habits and gain insights into their daily care routines.
These shows are not only educational but also interactive, allowing participants to take part in a hands-on learning experience that is both fun and informative.
ACTIVITIES
Fruit & Veggie Patch
The Fruit & Veggie Patch is the heart of our sustainable garden. In this hands-on program, Team Members will learn the essentials of growing vegetables, from planting seeds to harvesting their efforts. It’s a chance to connect with nature, learn valuable gardening skills, and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables!) of their labour.
- Plant & Harvest: Learn how to plant, nurture, and harvest a variety of vegetables. Understand the growth cycles of different plants and how to ensure they flourish.
- Garden Maintenance: Develop skills in garden care, including weeding, watering, and mulching. Team Members will learn how to create and maintain healthy soil and grow organic produce.
- Understand Seasonal Gardening: Gain knowledge about seasonal planting and the best vegetables to grow throughout the year.
ACTIVITIES
Lavender Garden
The Lavender Garden offers a tranquil space where Team Members can learn the art of growing and caring for lavender. Lavender is not only a beautiful plant, but it also has numerous uses, from crafting homemade products to its calming properties. This program blends gardening with creativity and relaxation.
- Grow & Harvest Lavender: Learn the steps to successfully grow lavender, from planting and caring for the plants to harvesting the flowers at the perfect time for use in products.
- Create Lavender Products: Use the harvested lavender to create handmade products like soaps, face scrubs, sachets, and lavender oils. Team Members will learn about the uses of lavender in both personal care and wellness.
- Understand Lavender’s Benefits: Discover the many benefits of lavender, including its calming and therapeutic properties. Learn how lavender can be used in aromatherapy, skincare, and as a natural remedy.
- Maintain the Lavender Garden: Care for the lavender plants by ensuring they are pruned and watered correctly, allowing them to thrive and bloom year after year.
ACTIVITIES
Bee Keeping
Our bee keeping program starts with handling stingless native bees.
Team Members will learn about the fascinating world of beekeeping.
Through hands-on experience, learn about the essential role bees play in our ecosystem while gaining valuable skills in caring for bee colonies.
- Learn Bee Care: Understand the basics of beekeeping, from managing hives to checking for queen activity, honey production, and ensuring the health of the colony.
- Harvest Honey: Gain skills in extracting honey from the hive safely, using the right equipment and techniques to collect and store honey.
- Understand Pollination: Discover how bees pollinate flowers and plants, helping gardens flourish and crops thrive. Learn about the important environmental contributions bees make to food production.
- Bee Safety: Learn how to handle bees safely and responsibly, including wearing protective gear, understanding bee behavior, and respecting their environment to ensure a successful harvest.
MICRO BUSINESS
Farm Entrepreneur
The Farm offers Team Members the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of business through hands-on experience. Here, Team Members will learn how to create and market products using the Farm inspired ingredients such as honey, lavender, and goat milk. This dynamic hub is designed to teach essential business skills while also providing a chance to earn from the Farm's micro businesses.
- Create Handmade Products: Learn to develop products like honey & lavender soaps, face scrubs, moisturisers, and other special items using Farm inspired ingredients: honey, lavender, and goat milk.
- Master Product Marketing: Gain valuable skills in product marketing, including creating product descriptions, designing branded materials, and promoting products through social media. Team Members will explore how to connect with customers both locally and online.
- Learn Sales Techniques: Develop sales skills through hands-on experience in selling products at the local farmers market and online via our Shopify store. Engage with customers, handle transactions, and manage customer feedback.
- Order Fulfilment: Understand the logistics of order fulfilment by preparing products for sale, packaging them correctly, and ensuring timely delivery to customers.
- Build Business Skills: Develop a strong foundation in business essentials, such as pricing, budgeting, inventory management, and understanding profit margins. Team Members will gain insights into managing the daily operations of a small business and contribute to the success of the micro-businesses.
MICRO BUSINESS
Farmers Market
The Farmers Market offers a unique opportunity to experience the business side of producing products. Every week, Team Members prepare products to sell at the local Farmers Market. It’s an opportunity to be hands-on, creative, and develop business and social skills.
- Prepare Market Stock: Organise products such as honey & lavender body scrubs, moisturisers and lip balms for the weekly market. This includes packaging, labelling, and ensuring products are market-ready.
- Customer Service & Sales: Develop skills in marketing and customer interaction. Team Members will be involved in creating display setups, engaging with customers, and managing sales transactions.
- Manage Inventory: Keep track of stock levels, ensure products are well-organised, and assess sales to determine product demand.
- Prepare for Market Day: Get everything ready, from checking the EFTPOS machines and cash float to ensuring promotional materials are available. This gives Team Members a real understanding of how to run a small business.
Wellness & Social
WELLNESS & SOCIAL
Wellness Time
Wellness Sessions are more than just physical activities; they offer our Team Members an opportunity to unwind, relax, and focus on personal development. Whether through outdoor yoga, mindfulness practices, or gentle exercises, these sessions create a space where Team Members can recharge, manage stress, and build resilience.
WELLNESS & SOCIAL
Outdoor Sensory
Our Outdoor Sensory Experiences engage the senses in meaningful ways, allowing Team Members to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and scents of the Farm. Participants have access to the farm nursery where they can pat a variety of animals, providing a calming sensory experience. The Farm's environment helps to stimulate creativity, encourage mindfulness, and promote emotional well-being while fostering a deeper appreciation for nature.
WELLNESS & SOCIAL
Camping & Nature Tours
Explore the natural beauty of The Basin & other nature inspired local areas through nature tours and camping experiences. Spend time in the great outdoors, enjoying peaceful walks, observing wildlife, and connecting with nature on a deeper level. These experiences offer a sense of adventure and exploration in a safe and supportive environment.