Get ready to unwrap a green Christmas with Aotearoa's newest sensation – the 2024 Nude Gardening Calendar! This isn't your average calendar; it's a cheeky celebration of organic gardening and a daring nod to living authentically. The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand is baring it all for a good cause, and they're inviting you to join the naked horticultural revolution.
Jenny Lux, the Co-Chair of Soil & Health NZ, and an organic market gardener from Rotorua, explains the philosophy behind the bare-it-all calendar.
"Gardening in the nude symbolises shedding the layers between us and nature," she said.
"It's a statement of authenticity and joyful, connected living. Every picture tells a story of cultivating not just plants but our total wellbeing."
But this isn't just about showing off a little skin for a laugh. The 2024 Nude Gardening Calendar is on a mission to support the vital work of the Soil & Health Association. All proceeds from the calendar sales will go towards promoting organic and regenerative practices, advocating for living soils, nutritious food, healthy people, and a thriving environment.
Rebecka Keeling, the owner of Slow Blooms pick-your-own flower farm in Matakana, shares her empowering experience of being part of the calendar.
"At Slow Blooms, we grow according to permaculture ethics, which is about working with nature and not against it. Stripping away our clothes for the photo shoot felt like a metaphor for simplifying our lives and embracing the beauty of an organic, regenerative world."
Behind the lens is Imke Kauta, a Bay of Plenty-based photographer who specializes in capturing people in their most natural state, who volunteered her skills for this unique project.
"It was an honour to be trusted with capturing these impressive gardens and the natural beauty of the human body."
Claire Flynn, the designer for OrganicNZ magazine and the creative force behind the calendar, shares the vision.
"We wanted to plant the seed of sustainability in a way that's both entertaining and thought-provoking.
"We are passionate about promoting a healthy and regenerative way of living, nurturing our soil for generations to come, and what better way to convey this message than through the art of nude gardening."
Now, you can be part of this groundbreaking movement by purchasing the calendar on the OrganicNZ website. There are two options available – one for the stylish, slightly more modest gardener, and another for those who don't mind a bit more 'cheek.'
Priced at $30 for one or $55 for both versions, it's the perfect conversation starter for your wall or the most talked-about Christmas gift that will make your gardener friends blush with delight.
Don't miss out on the chance to support a greener future while enjoying a good laugh. Get your 2024 Nude Gardening Calendar today – it's the gift that keeps on giving, in more ways than one!