Born in Hawera, New Zealand, Julie Firth is a pioneer in many ways including being the first qualified female electrician in New Zealand. After travelling overseas Julie moved to the deserts of Western Australia, working in the mining industry as a construction electrician. During this time she was introduced to Permaculture. Inspired she purchased degraded land in Geraldton and began a lifetime ambition to learn and demonstrate Permaculture design for dryland climates.

Completing her Permaculture Design Certificate in 1991 with Bill Mollison and Jude Fanton in NSW, Julie began to design other properties while establishing her own commercial nursery and seed saving business.

As a Permaculture aid worker, Julie has worked closely with communities at the Fambidzanni village in Zimbabwe, in the Kalahari in Botswana and in rural villages in Palestine. Closer to home Julie has consulted in natural area conservation and rehabilitation. In 1996 she was a keynote speaker at the Sixth International Permaculture Conference in Perth.

Julie holds a Diploma in Permaculture Design, is a life member of the Seed Savers Network and is an accredited Permaculture teacher.