Lisa Johnston

Lisa Johnston is a market gardener, orchardist and local food entrepreneur from Frog Song Farm near Luggate. Having spent over 20 years studying and practicing permaculture, organic gardening, orchard care and landscape design, Lisa is now developing her craft at Frog Song Farm where she and her team produce nutrient-dense vegetables, nuts and fruit for local stores, restaurants, and markets.

As a student and ambassador of the Market Garden Institute Masterclass (Quebec) Lisa and her garden team put into practice the growing methods taught by J.M. Fortier. The bio-intensive methods they employ represent a diversified organic cropping system that intensifies production with the goal of achieving maximum yields from a minimum area of land, while simultaneously increasing biodiversity and sustaining the fertility of the soil. Lisa also has a focus on learning and development, taking seasonal interns on in the market garden each year. Lisa and her partner Greg also own and operate “Village Nuts” where they have harvested, processed and value added nuts (chestnuts, walnuts and hazelnuts) grown in local orchards for over a decade. At Frog Song Farm, Lisa and Greg are engaged in a landscape regeneration program, restoring canopy, and groundwater eco-structures in their 20acre piece of the watershed. They envision Frog Song Farm becoming a living example of a small 20acre block producing year round income and abundant food for their family and community. And all of this within the framework of abundance, synergy, learning and well-being.

Lisa will be leading a visit of Frog Song Farm with kōrero during the Food Resilience Day Tour during Wao Summit 2025.