Michelle Ritchie

Michelle has created Organic by Design to further her passion of helping people to grow their own organic food and reach a level of self-sufficiency from their own land. Michelle has been designing Organic Gardens since 2000. Michelle teaches the National Certificate in Practical Horticulture (Level 2) and the National Certificate in Organic Horticulture (Level 3).

Working in Dunedin Schools since 2003, she has been creating edible organic gardens for the children and their communities. Michelle has worked as a facilitator for Enviroschools. Michelle hopes to introduce fruit trees and edible gardens to public spaces and encourage Councils to think beyond simply aesthetic landscaping in urban areas.

Michelle is an education advisor to Organic Aotearoa New Zealand and the Otago Farmers Market Trust. She is a trustee of Tomahawk Smaills Beachcare and is on the committee of Sustainable Dunedin City.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Masters of Regional and Resource Planning from the University of Otago, a Certificate in Organic Growing and a Certificate in Permaculture Design from Christchurch Polytechnic, and a Certificate in Adult Education and Teaching from Te Wananga O Aotearoa.