Below you will find info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in
the near future in the central Virginia bioregion.
For more information about permaculture events, see our website:
www.blueridgepermaculture.net. If you know anyone else that would like to
sign
up for this newsletter, or if you have an announcement, email Christine at
christinegyovai@gmail.com for the next update, which are sent monthly.
Best,
Christine and the Blue Ridge Permaculture Network team
1.
Blue Ridge Permaculture Network is planning to have a display table at the
Heritage Harvest Fesival this year. The date is September 11. Festival info
here:
http://heritageharvestfestival.com/
If you'd like to volunteer an hour or two hanging out at the table and talking
about permaculture, let me know. It is very low pressure! We will have photos,
books, and other information on display. We'd also like to put together some
type of demonstration. I was wondering if a tiny sheet mulch example might
work
but would love to have some other ideas.
We also need someone with a tent (about 10'X10')or shade cover and a volunteer
to set up our space on Friday.
I know it is a long way off to commit for sure but, if you are interested, ,l
et me know. We have to reserve our space soon.
Thanks!
Vicky in Amherst
email me at vickycp@ntelos.net
2.
Teaching Permaculture Creatively:
An Intensive Professional Permaculture Teacher Training Course
with Dave Jacke, Kay Cafasso, Chris Jackson, Kim Almeida and Trent Rhode
With an integrated 3-day course in Financial Permaculture!!!
September 16–27, 2010
The Farm, Summertown, Tennessee
Sponsored by The Financial Permaculture Institute and Gaia University
Southeast.
Permaculture Teacher Training:
Given that events make the best teachers, it follows that our role as
educators
is to design learning events. In this teacher training, we will explore how
to
create events that teach permaculture, applying ecological principles and
processes to the design of permaculture workshops, courses, and other
experiences.
Learn how to create effective learning environments based on quick assessments
of students and their learning modalities, eight intelligences, and other
niche
characteristics. Each student in this course will design and run short
classes
and exercises, speak in public, plan and budget for an event, and coteach a
series of workshops during the integrated Financial Permaculture Course. What
do whole learning systems look, feel and sound like? Come find out! The best
way to learn is to do, and to have fun doing it! Join us!
To see what past course graduates are saying about this course, see the
attached Student Outcomes document.
Limited to 30 certified permaculture design course graduates; significant
pre-course preparation required. NOTE: This course has a prerequisite.
Applicants must have received a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC).
Financial Permaculture Course:
The Financial Permaculture Course provides an organized and supportive
container for permaculture designers, financial planners, business people, and
regular folks looking to build a financially viable life to work together,
share skills and information, and develop new models for creating viable
livelihoods that regenerate planet, people, and communities. This year the
course will offer a focus on creating viable permaculture teaching businesses,
as well as permaculture workshops run by this year’s Teaching Permaculture
Creatively trainees. You don’t need to be an expert in permaculture, finance
or business to benefit from integrating permaculture principles with financial
and business planning!
Course objectives:
• Participants experience and develop the complete suite of skills
needed
to begin successfully teaching short permaculture workshops and other events
on
their own.
• Participants leave able to contribute significantly to teaching
certified permaculture courses under the mentorship of an experienced
permaculture teacher.
• Participants experience taking the seat of the teacher multiple times
during the course in a variety of settings, both within the course and in a
public venue. We all grasp the essence and significant details of what it
means to create effective learning environments and effective learning
events.
• Participants come prepared to collaboratively co-create the teacher
training course and teach a one day public permaculture workshop (specific
requests for how to prepare will be laid out after acceptance into the
program).
• Participants collaborate to create a community of learning teachers
and
teaching learners:
o we cocreate a safe, supportive, fun, healthy, and whole learning
environment;
o we support each other to take risks, share ourselves, grow deeply,
move
through edges and perceived restrictions, explore new ideas, and try new
teaching styles and approaches;
o we share and constructively evaluate each others’ work;
o we cooperatively develop shared resources for the larger permaculture
teaching community.
• Participants clarify, articulate, and evolve their beliefs about what a
teacher is and what is their teaching philosophy. We all experience putting
that philosophy into practice consciously. We all have the opportunity to
deprogram beliefs that inhibit our effectiveness as teachers and learners.
• We experience all of the above through learning events and experiences
that express, embody, and demonstrate the principles of permaculture design in
action.
• We engage in co-creating the Financial Permaculture Course (FPC), sharing
our knowledge and experience, learning from and with others, and observing and
evaluating the FPC as a whole and each part of it individually.
• We have a total blast doing all of the above.
Course Fee:
Course fees include tuition, room and board for both the Teacher Training and
the Financial Permaculture Course: sliding Scale $1,800 - $2,100; $1,700 if
registered before June 30. Some partial scholarships may be available; please
inquire.
We are raising funds for scholarships to support folks who cannot afford this
course to attend. If you would like to donate to this fund, please contact
Dave Jacke, 308 Main St. #2C, Greenfield, MA 01301, 603-831-1298,
davej@edibleforestgardens.com. We have also developed a Community Supported
Educators program to assist you to raise your own funds for the course.
Please
contact Jennifer or Sheila at info@financialpermaculture.com or Dave at
davej@edibleforestgardens.com for an information packet on this program.
For More Information or to apply:
Visit: http://www.financialpermaculture.com
Or contact: Jennifer or Sheila at The Financial Permaculture Institute at
info@financialpermaculture.com 88-878-2434 ext. 2 or 913-796-1808
3.
Cry of the Mountain show about mountaintop removal mining
My name is Addie Horan and I have constructed a one-woman-show about
mountaintop removal called Cry of the Mountain. I “play” many wonderful
people who might sound familiar including Judy Bonds, Jeff Biggers, Stephanie
Pistello, Ed Wiley, Vernon Haltom, Lynda Ewen, Matt Landon, Tammy Horn, Larry
Gibson, and four others.
Now my show is being produced this July in and around Charlottesville,
Virginia!
Here is a website that has more info: http://wholetheatre.org/mountain/ ;
After each performance we will be hosting a talk-back about the play and
mountaintop removal. Whole Theatre will be donating 30% of the box office to
those groups/causes that help participate in the talk-backs.
The shows are every Thursday in July at 8pm.
4.
Farm Aid’s has issued a new report, Rebuilding America’s Economy with
Family Farm-Centered Food Systems. www.farmaid.org/es
Inspired by Farm Aid President Willie Nelson, who has always said family
farmers are the backbone of the nation and the bottom rung of our economic
ladder, we are proud to offer the report as a resource to individuals,
businesses, organizations, and local and state governments seeking to create
thriving family farm-centered food systems in their communities, revitalizing
the economy of America as a whole.
Rebuilding America’s Economy underscores what we at Farm Aid know as a simple
truth: Supporting family farmers and family farm-centered food systems is a
powerful strategy for jumpstarting our fragile economy and revitalizing
communities across America.
The report recounts the true costs of an industrial food system to our rural
economies and communities, and the ripple effects of a troubled farm economy
beyond the farm gate. The heart of the report highlights the untapped
potential
of America’s family farmers to rebuild our nation’s economy through local
and regional markets, and further enumerates what we have to gain by investing
in both direct markets and emerging “mid-scale food value chains.” In
addition to capturing some of the best research out there modeling the impacts
of family farm-centered food systems, the report showcases the stories of
innovative farm entrepreneurs finding success in local and regional markets
and
building better food economies in their communities.
We are proud of this report, but even more proud of the farmers and
entrepreneurs it showcases, who are transforming our food system, rebuilding
economies, and strengthening our country from the ground up.
If you have any questions, or would like bound copies, please contact us. For
a
downloadable pdf, please go to www.farmaid.org/es. In addition, we have
compiled a list of federal funding resources available for developing family
farm-centered local and regional food systems, which can be accessed by
visiting www.farmaid.org/opportunities.
All the best,
Glenda Yoder
5.
Charlottesville Community Design Center.
http://www.cvilledesign.org/ ;
Charlottesville Civic Action | June 4 - July 30
Charlottesville Civic Action was created as a joint partnership between CCDC &
the Center for Nonprofit Excellence challenging local non-profits to address
the question: What is the most promising opportunity to strengthen our
community over the next decade and what action will your organization take to
make a difference? The 12 non-profits with the most compelling responses
teamed with local graphic designers to create a poster illustrating their
answer to the question. The posters will be on display in the CCDC gallery
through July 30. The public is invited to attend a community forum with the
selected non-profits and elected officials on July 27th. To see thumbnails,
click here.
CCDC EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
AIA Lunch: Arab Islamic Cairo: Building Preservation & Heritage Conservation
Originally scheduled for Tomorrow, June 25 at noon-NOW RESCHEDULED for July 16
Brian Broadus will cover an introduction to historic periods of Cairo and the
city's sudden modern growth and sprawl; an overview of basic Islamic-era
religious and charitable building types/furnishings, including the Arabic
terms, and the traditional ownership and management of the properties. Also
discussed will be the current impediments and challenges to historic
preservation in Arab-Islamic Cairo, including failed past Arab Republic
preservation efforts, future Arab Republic threats to Arab-Islamic Cairo, and
recent successful historic preservation and heritage conservation projects in
Arab-Islamic Cairo. Free & open to all. 1 learning unit available.
2010 Design Marathon Information Session
Friday, July 2 Noon-1pm
CCDC will host a brown bag information session to provide general information
about the Design Marathon and how to get involved as a non-profit or designer.
This is a great opportunity to meet the Design Marathon organizers, see the
space where it happens, and have your questions answered before the August 16
application deadline. Bring your lunch. For directions to CCDC, visit
cvilledesign.org.
OTHER EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) Press Event
Wednesday, July 7 1:30pm--CitySpace at the CCDC
LEAP will be holding a press conference and launch event to promote exciting
new local initiatives, "The Home Energy Makeover Contest" and "Home
Performance
with Energy Star" programs. Also to announce $1 million worth of energy
efficiency incentives available to local residents. For more information,
please contact LEAP at 434.825.0232 or their website.
Open House-Plans for Neighborhood Revitalization
Tuesday July 13 6-7:30pm--Carver Recreation Center (324 4th St. NW)
The Charlottesville Redevelopment & Housing Authority is wrapping up the
beginning rounds of brainstorming for transforming its Public Housing
Neighborhoods. They invite individuals to join them for an Open House to give
a final round of feedback to include in the Master Plan-a tool that will guide
discussions during the implementation phases. For more information please
visit their website and view the attached flyer.
2010 Bike Ballot
Cast votes by July 15th!
Bike Charlottesville and ACCT cordially invites individuals to participate in
the 2010 Bike Ballot. The ballot consists of a short series of simple
questions that invite you to choose the most important projects to make the
Charlottesville area more bicycling-friendly. The community feedback will be
used to develop an action plan to drive progress towards making bicycling
safer, easier, and more convenient. For more information!
7.
Permaculture email listserve (different from this newsletter listserve)
Vicky Peterson, a grad from the first Permaculture Design Course, has set up a
yahoo group for discussion of all things relating to permaculture in the
Central Virginia region. From Vicky: With your help, the group will be a
place to ask questions, share information and help permaculture take root in
our area.
Here is a link to follow if you would like to join:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/BRPermaculture/
There should be a blue button that says "Join this Group!"
If you know of anyone else who might be interested in joining, please feel
free
to pass this info along.
Other questions? Email me.
Thanks!
Vicky Peterson
vickycp@ntelos.net
8.
News about small capital grants from the USDA’s Community Facilities Program
for farmers markets. These grants, which can be between $40,000 and $60,000,
are only available to communities with a population under 20,000. (See
further details below)
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HAD-CF_Grants.html
If you are interested, you should send a short project description and
application to your Rural Development Director. A list by state of the
Directors is accessible at :
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=rd
You must apply in the next two months, as funds are tied to the Recovery Act
(Stimulus Funds).
Grants may be used for the following:
Farmers Markets
Grants can finance farmer’s markets that primarily sell fruits and
vegetables. Grants cannot finance flea markets. Farmers markets that sell
25%
or more in items that are not food products cannot be financed with CF
funding,
but may be eligible for funding under Rural Development’s Rural Business &
Cooperative Programs.
• New construction
• Purchase building
• Renovations
Community Gardens
• Purchase real estate
• Water source access – the necessary infrastructure to connect to
the water source and/or provide irrigation.
• Ineligible – small tools
Community Kitchens
Community kitchens can provide classes for families to learn how to prepare
healthy meals. They can also be used to prepare meals for various community
programs.
• Renovations - applicant must own, or be purchasing, facility
• Equipment - must be removable if the applicant does not own the
facility and equipment must be primarily used for the community initiative
• New Construction
Here is more information about the grant program:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HAD-CF_Grants.html
Community Facility Grants
Objectives: Community Programs provides grants to assist in the development of
essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in
population. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in
small communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher
percentage of grants. Grants are available to public entities such as
municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as non-profit
corporations and tribal governments. In addition, applicants must have the
legal authority necessary for construction, operation, and maintenance of the
proposed facility and also be unable to obtain needed funds from commercial
sources at reasonable rates and terms.
Fund Uses: Grant funds may be used to assist in the development of essential
community facilities. Grant funds can be used to construct, enlarge, or
improve
community facilities for health care, public safety, and community and public
services. This can include the purchase of equipment required for a facility's
operation. A grant may be made in combination with other CF
financialassistance
such as a direct or guaranteed loan, applicant contributions, or loans and
grants from other sources.
The Community Facilities Grant Program is typically used to fund projects
under
special initiatives, such as Native American community development efforts;
child care centers linked with the Federal government's Welfare-to-Work
initiative; Federally-designated Enterprise and Champion Communities, and the
Northwest Economic Adjustment Initiative area.
Maximum Grant: The amount of grant assistance for project costs depends upon
the median household income and the population in the community where the
project is located and the availability of grant funds. In most instances,
projects which receive grant assistance have a high priority and are highly
leveraged with other loan and grant awards. Grant assistance may be available
for up to 75% of project costs. Grant funding limitations are based on
population and income, economic feasibility, and availability of funds.
Projects will be selected based on a priority point system. Projects that will
receive priority are those that:
Serve small communities - with the highest priority going to projects located
in a community with a population of 5,000 or less.
Serve low-income communities with the highest priority going to projects
serving communities with median household incomes below the higher of the
poverty line or 60% of the State non-metropolitan median household income.
Provide healthcare, public safety, or public and community services
Limitations: Grant funds cannot be used to:
Pay any annual recurring costs, including purchases or rentals that are
generally considered to be operating and maintenance expenses
Construct or repair electric generating plants, electric transmission lines,
or
gas distribution lines to provide services for commercial sale
Pay costs to construct facilities to be used for commercial rental where the
applicant has no control over tenants and services offered
Construct facilities primarily for the purpose of housing State, Federal or
quasi-Federal agencies
Finance recreational facilities or community antenna television services or
facilities
Basic Instruction: 7 CFR 3570, subpart B
For more information about this program, or to file an application, contact
the
local Rural Development
your
area.
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=rd ;
