upcoming events

Greetings All,

Happy Solstice! Below is a great collection of info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the central Virginia bioregion, including our Spring 2012 BRPN Permaculture Design Course, a BRPN potluck with a community talk by Dave Jacke next month (COME ONE, COME ALL), and lots of great sustainable agriculture conferences.

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. Wishing you a great holiday season.

Best,
Christine and the Blue Ridge Permaculture Network team
www.blueridgepermaculture.net


1. Spring 2012 BRPN Permaculture Design Course
SPACE IS LIMITED – SIGN UP TODAY!
We are pleased to announce our winter - spring 2012 Permaculture Design Course: Sustainability Strategies for the Blue Ridge, over four weekends near Charlottesville, Virginia.

This Permaculture Design Course lays the foundation for understanding and working with natural systems to design sustainable environments that produce food, shelter, and energy. It also provides participants with models of community development and extension by which they can create networks of support for themselves and empower others to do the same. The course provides tools to help design and develop urban or rural properties or neighborhoods in a sustainable manner, revitalize local communities, and restore ecological balance.
Permaculture promotes land use systems that work with natural rhythms and patterns to create regenerative cultivated ecosystems. Participants will learn how to design and build gardens, homes, and communities that model living ecosystems. By understanding patterns in nature, students will learn how to grow food, manage water catchment and storage, utilize renewable energy and build community.

The ecological design course covers themes such as: ecological systems understanding, organic food production, natural soil improvement, watershed restoration, water conservation and management, edible forest gardening, native medicinal plants, natural habitat restoration, healthy buildings and human settlements, community and consensus building strategies, renewable energy systems, sustainable community development, local economics, and ecological planning and design methods.

This 72-hour certificate course, presented by the Blue Ridge Permaculture Network, will be offered over four weekends with leading permaculture teachers including Emily Axelbaum, Christine Gyovai, Dave Jacke, Hub Knott, Terry Lilley, Dave O’Neill, and guests (teacher bios on the website). The course will be held near Charlottesville, Virginia, at Montfair on the following dates:

Dates: Jan. 13-16, Jan. 27-29, Feb. 18-20, and March 3-4, 2012.

The cost for this course will be a sliding scale, including a discount for early registration. If you register by November 15 the sliding scale is $895-$1200. After November 15 the sliding scale is $995-$1200. A few work trade positions are available for partial tuition; inquire soon about work trade guidelines and availability. The work-trade application deadline ends on December 1st, 2011, and limited scholarships may be available, inquire for details. To register please visit the BRPN website for a registration form, or contact Terry Lilley at tygerlilley@gmail.com or 434-296-3963.

www.blueridgepermaculture.net


2. Blue Ridge Permaculture Network potluck and
Dave Jacke Community Presentation on “Ecosystem Agriculture and Forest Gardens”

Come One – Come all!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Charlottesville, Virginia (Location to be announced in next newsletter and the BRPN website)

BRPN Potluck at 6:00 pm, 7:30 Dave Jacke presentation
Bring utensils and a dish to share
Suggested donation $10 for community presentation to support PDC scholarships

www.blueridgepermaculture.net


3. Teaching Permaculture Creatively 2012: Eastern PA
A Nine-Day Intensive Professional Permaculture Teacher Training Course
March 23 through April 1, 2012, Kimberton Waldorf School, Phoenixville, PA

Consider this proposition: Events make the best teachers. The most significant learnings of our lives mostly come from situations we have experienced, and even when people lecture well, they make their presentation an event from which we learn. If events make the best teachers, it would follow that effective educators focus their energy on designing effective learning events. How does this apply to teaching permaculture?
This nine-day intensive Permaculture Teacher Training explores how to create permaculture learning events, applying ecological principles and processes to the design of permaculture workshops, courses, and other experiences. Learn how to quickly assess students’ learning modalities, eight intelligences, and other niche characteristics; create effective learning environments; design multifunctional, functionally interconnected courses where the whole experience is far greater than the sum of the sessions!
Each trainee in this course will design and run short classes and exercises, speak in public, plan and budget an event, and coteach a public one-day permaculture workshop at course end. 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!
Limited to 27 certified permaculture design course graduates; pre-course preparation required.
Course Staff:

Dave Jacke, primary author of Edible Forest Gardens, has taught innumerable workshops and courses across the country using the principles you will learn in this training. This is the fifth teacher training he will lead.

Farmer, educator, and designer Chris Jackson works with at-risk youth and livestock at a school in Plainfield, VT, and homesteads there. He took this training with Dave and Jono Neiger in 2007, and has taught three trainings with Dave since.

Kim Almeida hails from the south shore of Boston, where she farms organic annual and perennial vegetables, workshops, and social systems. This will be her second time assisting with this training, which she took in 2009.

Costs:
• A $25 nonrefundable application fee applies to course cost if accepted. You may register and pay the application fee at:http://permacultureteachertraining.eventbrite.com

• Cost for tuition, meals, lodging: $1,300-$1,700 sliding scale. Early application discount: $1,250 if completed applications are received before February 1! Commuters (no breakfast or lodging included): $1,050-$1,450 sliding scale, $1,000 if completed application received by February 1.

• An additional nonrefundable deposit of $275 is required to hold your place once accepted into the program. Full payment is required by March 1, 2010.

• Partial scholarships will be available—and your completed scholarship application will help us raise funds!

For more information, download the brochure, Student Outcomes, and the course application (includes scholarship application) at http://www.meetup.com/permie/files/.
CONTACT:
The Eastern Pennsylvania Permaculture Guild, c/o Melissa Miles,
101 Abbey Drive, Linfield, PA 19468, 
(484) 949-1600,
easternpennpermacultureguild@gmail.com
ALSO: check out the Carbon Farming Course coming this January—I’ll be sharing the stage with Wes Jackson of The Land Institute! Also will include Darren Doherty on Keyline, Elaine Ingham on Living Soils, and many other great classes! www.carbonfarmingcourse.com


4. Advanced Permaculture Design Course
With Dave Jacke of Dynamics Ecological Design and
Jono Neiger of Regenerative Design Group present:

Laying Groundwork: A 9-Day Advanced Permaculture Design Course
At Brook’s Bend Farm, A Permaculture Research and Education Center
Friday evening, June 8 through Sunday, June 17, 2012

Lay the groundwork for your deepening practice of permaculture design and for the establishment of a permaculture training and demonstration center at Brook’s Bend Farm. This Advanced Permaculture Design Course (APDC) offers you direct experience designing permaculture systems that will build your design skills, your confidence and your portfolio, and spur you to deepen your self-study of the field. At the same time, you will help plan the transformation of Brook’s Bend Farm into a thriving multi-dimensional permaculture and nature awareness training and demonstration facility.

COURSE FORMAT:
Course staff and participants will together form a large-scale paraprofessional design team tasked to resolve key design challenges and create a Schematic Master Plan for Brook’s Bend Farm. This involves integrating farming, livestock, forest garden, coppice, and building systems for the farm’s 90 acres of woods, streams, pastures, and farm buildings. We’ll dive into previous site assessment and design work by students of the Conway School of Landscape Design (CSLD). Each participant will then focus on one of several key “design streams” relating to the whole design, such as: water supply and waste water treatment systems; food production, processing, storage, and distribution systems; forest use and management; livestock grazing and foraging, and buildings and energy systems. Each “stream” will take on design problems in a mentored group-learning environment. As a collective, we will synthesize these streams into a unified Master Plan and present to a larger public audience by course end.
In this APDC, you will learn through design exercises, participatory classes, observation sessions, and self-study. Pre-course homework will be required. The course itself will be a fun, full-on design charrette with classes mixed in. At course end, you and your team will synthesize everything you have learned into design schemes and details to present to the clients and the public. The design process will be your main teacher; it will tell you what you need to learn. We’ll be there to support and guide you along the way.

INSTRUCTORS:
Primary instructors Dave Jacke and Jono Neiger co-developed and co-taught “design-centered” permaculture courses together over many years. Dave is primary author of the award-winning book Edible Forest Gardens, and teaches design, permaculture, and forest gardening across the USA and Canada. He has run his own design firm, Dynamics Ecological Design, since 1984, and is now working on his second book, Coppice Agroforestry, with Mark Krawczyk (www.edibleforestgardens.com). Jono cofounded the Regenerative Design Group, a Greenfield, MA design firm (www.regenerativedesigngroup.com), is on the faculty at the Conway School of Landscape Design in Conway, MA (www.csld.edu), and is on the board of the Permaculture Institute of the Northeast. Dave and Jono both graduated from CSLD, Dave in 1984, and Jono in 2003. Apprentice teachers, as well as a coterie of guest instructors and design reviewers, will also join the course’s faculty.

COURSE COST:
Tuition and food: sliding scale $1,150-1,550, with an early registration discount of $50 before April 1, 2012. Scholarships will be available; inquire for more information. Tuition payments above the bottom of the sliding scale will be used for scholarships, so please be generous if you can.
Meals: All meals will be provided as part of the tuition.
Accommodations: Camping and limited indoor accommodations will be available on site for an additional nominal fee.

PREREQUISITES AND REGISTRATION:
• All course participants must have completed a certified Permaculture Design Course, and must furnish a copy of their course certificate with their deposit to hold their place in the APDC. If you want to take the course but cannot meet this prerequisite, please inquire.
• A $400 deposit is required to hold your place in the APDC. The full balance is due by May 15, 2011. Make checks out to Dynamics Ecological Design and mail to the address below. Credit card/Paypal payments will incur a fee from Evenbrite, and may be made at bbfadvpcdesign.eventbrite.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Ben Miller, Brook’s Bend Farm
119 Old Sunderland Road, Montague, MA 01351
413-367-2132 • beenfly@yahoo.com


5. Virginia Biological Farming Conference
"Transitioning to Organic Agriculture"
Feb. 10-11, 2012
Holiday Inn, Koger Center
Richmond, Virginia

We hope you will join us for this informative, always stimulating event. Pre-conference options begin at 10 am on Feb. 10, followed by our traditional food-festival potluck-type lunch for which we ask everyone who wants to join us to bring a dish of food to share. We provide paper plates, cups, and flatware.

Our trade show begins at 11 am.
Official welcome, youth program, and opening plenary session start at 1 pm.

Who comes to the conference?

Certified organic farmers and market gardeners
Practitioners of organic farming / gardening who have chosen not to be certified
Sustainable, ecological and low-input producers
Biodynamic gardeners and farmers
Producers of pastured beef, poultry, eggs, dairy cows or goats, etc.
Home gardeners and homesteaders
Researchers and other agricultural professionals interested in organic or sustainable agriculture
Others who want to support ecological agriculture or sustainable food systems, or who simply want safe, nutritious, fresh, locally-grown food.

Mary-Howell and Klaas Martens, the Friday afternoon keynote speakers for our conference, were conventional grain farmers in New York until Klaas began to develop health problems due to pesticide exposure in 1991. Following the examples of other organic farmers, the Martens began transitioning to organic production in 1992. They received invaluable assistance from a neighbor named Cliff Peterson concerning weed control through mechanical cultivation. They also learned a great deal about management of soil fertility, organic quality control and adding value to their organic grains by producing livestock feeds. Today they operate 1300 acres organically with higher profits per acre than they ever earned using conventional practices.

The keynote speaker at the Virginia Biological Farming Conference in 2009 was Will Allen with Growing Power from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Allen described the incredible system he developed for commercial production of horticulture crops in urban neighborhoods of Milwaukee and Chicago. This inner city farming is based on utilization of compost made from food wastes collected from many urban sources such as restaurants, bakeries and institutional food services.

Renee Catacalos and Christian Melendez from ECO City Farms in Edmonston, Maryland will provide the second keynote presentation at the 2012 Virginia Biological Farming Conference. They will speak about their successful development of the Growing Power model for urban horticulture in their city in Maryland. Many people have heard Will Allen speak but these folks at ECO City Farms have actually employed the Growing Power model.

Have a look at our program to see all the other great sessions offered!

http://www.vabf.org/annual-conference


6. Richmond, VA home for sale, a two-story arts-and-crafts style house on 1/3 acre. Home is fully renovated, including refinished hardwood floors, bright and charming. The yard has lots of perennial edibles: grape trellises, dwarf apple and cherry trees, elderberry, asparagus, and rhubarb, plus perennial herbs. There are also several raised beds for annuals. $125,000. Contact Anna at annatulou@gmail.com for more info.


7. Allegheny Mountain School Seeks 7-9 Fellows for its Sustainable Food and Community Development Program in Highland County, Virginia.

Allegheny Mountain School (AMS) is assembling a group of highly curious, hardworking young adults to create a cohesive and cooperative team for living, working, and studying sustainable food systems and community development. AMS was founded in 2011 and beginning on May 1, 2012 our second group of AMS Fellows will spend 6 months (Phase I) in residence on Allegheny Mountain in western Virginia, followed by one year in the service of Partner Organizations (Phase II) along the Route 250 corridor of the two Virginias. Our goal for this year of service is that each AMS Fellow will touch the lives of at least ten families through teaching gardening and building sustainable local food programs.

AMS Fellows will be provided room and board during Phase I and there are no program fees (other than to apply). Fellows will receive a small stipend at the end of Phase I and a monthly stipend during Phase II, where they will be working within community organizations whose focus is strengthening connections to our local food system in communities, neighborhoods and schools. Fellows will be trained in a variety of farm skills, from organic gardening to permaculture site design, preserving food, carpentry skills and small animal husbandry.

The AMS Residency Program (Phase I) is located in Highland County on a 550 acre farm on the western edge of Virginia. The work/learning program will take place on the farm and at community projects in surrounding areas. Workshops and seminars will occur both on and off campus.

AMS Community Engagement (Phase II) entails working with a Partner Organization located along the Route 250 corridor of the two Virginias. Fellows will be expected to help build capacity for the organization’s mission as they share and teach the skills they have learned during their first six months in the program.

For more information, visit www.alleghenymountainschool.org/apply-for-2012 or email us at info@alleghenymountainschool.org. Allegheny Mountain School is a program of The Highland Center in Monterey VA. You can reach The Highland Center at (540) 468-1922.


8. EQIP Organic Initiative Signup is Open - opportunity for cost share on conservation practices

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has released guidance to state offices for the 2012 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), including the Organic Initiative, the High Tunnel pilot, and an EQIP On-farm Energy Program, as well as the regular EQIP. The EQIP Organic Initiative can offer cost-share for conservation practices that will help with the transition to organic production, such as cover cropping, conservation crop rotation, and other cropland conservation practices; and prescribed grazing, fencing, and other livestock management practices related to resource conservation. You can also get cost share for a High Tunnel either as part of an Organic Initiative contract, or as a stand alone practice. This is an excellent opportunity to receive some financial assistance to farm at the high level of land/resource stewardship that you would like to achieve.

The EQIP Organic Intiative is now available for signup for the 2012 growing season. Application cutoff date for the first ranking period is February 3, 2012. However, if you miss this date, there are two additional application periods this spring, one closing March 30, and the final one June 1.

These dates apply to the EQIP Organic Initiative, the EQIP High Tunnel pilot program, an EQIP On-farm Energy program, and the regular EQIP program. Note that organic farmers can apply to any of these programs.

In order to sign up, visit your district NRCS office. If this is the first time you have applied for a NRCS program, you will have some paperwork to fill out with the Farm Services Agency - they should also have an office in your district. If you have any questions or problems with the application process that the local office cannot address satisfactorily, contact the state NRCS liaison person for the Organic Initiative. In Virginia, that person is:

Ron Wood

Virginia NRCS
ProTracts, PRS, Toolkit, eAUTH - Coordinator
Organic Initiative/WHIP Manager
804 287-1660
FAX 804 287-1736

You can also find more information about the EQIP Organic Initiative in Virginia at http://www.va.nrcs.usda.gov/,


9.

PASA's 21st Annual Farming for the Future Conference
Breaking Ground for a New Agriculture:
Cultivating Versatility and Resilience

February 1, 2, 3 & 4, 2012 ~ State College, PA
Click HERE to view the current conference programming and details!
Join us as we Break Ground for a new wave of learning and growing. The trail ahead will be challenging as we define and create a New Agriculture. After a year of changing politics, weather patterns and economics, it is clear that our community must be both Versatile and Resilient to persevere and bring about through local actions solutions to the global challenges we face. The conference will pull together many ground-breakers for a series of lectures, tracks and workshops that will send you home ready to dig in and cultivate your way to a more sustainable future. Our new Friday schedule includes a third workshop slot - that means you’ll have over 100 workshops to choose from! - and we’ve built in more time for you to network with our sponsors and exhibitors, speakers and fellow conference goers. Mark your calendars now, and we’ll see you in February!
Visit the conference website here to see the program and register. Click here!
Sponsorship information for the 2012 conference is available, please click here!

The annual Farming for the Future conference is PASA's signature event and our main vehicle for community building. Widely regarded as the best of its kind in the East, this diverse event brings together an audience of over 2,000 farmers, processors, consumers, students, environmentalists, and business and community leaders annually. The sheer numbers and diversity of business and organizations that are associated with the conference are notable, through sponsoring, exhibiting and presenting. Typical conference workshops focus on such practical topics as poultry production, cheese making, riparian buffers, organic certification and raw milk marketing. The very popular day-long "Pre-Conference" tracks offer in-depth exploration of special topic areas.
The conference does not focus entirely on practical training for farmers. Keynote speeches in recent years have featured such visionaries as human rights advocate Anuradha Mittal, environmental leader William McDonough, world humanitarian Vandana Shiva, Native American activist Winona LaDuke, environmental activist Diane Wilson, ag economist extraordinaire John Ikerd and peak oil specialist James Kunstler.

The Farming for the Future conference continues to bring the PASA membership a high quality program with knowledgeable field experts, acclaimed keynote speakers, and special events. Year after year, conference staff and volunteers do their best to plan and provide this inspiring event, always with an eye to improve things as we can. Special features of the conference include; youth & teen programming, a babysitting program, a triumvirate of benefit auctions, the Sustainable TradeShow and Marketplace, and conference meals featuring sustainably, organically, and regionally raised foods from over forty PASA members throughout our region.

http://www.pasafarming.org/our-work/farming-for-the-future-conference.


10. Virginia LID Competition Call for Entries
The purpose of the Virginia Low Impact Development Design Competition is to challenge teams of development professionals to demonstrate cost-effective approaches to replicating pre-development hydrology on development sites. The Virginia LID Competition is modeled off of the highly successful Houston LID Design Competition (Details) held in 2009 in Houston, Texas.
A prize of $15,000 will be awarded in each of three design categories:

•Suburban Mixed Use
•Urban Infill
•Green Roadway

View more information here: http://www.virginialidcomp.org/


11. VCU Certificate in Sustainability 2012

The VCU School of Business Foundation – Center for Corporate Education is offering a unique professional certification program beginning early 2012.


The VCU Certificate in Sustainability Program 2012, developed by Environic Foundation International (EFI), gives participants a real understanding of sustainability as a significant force in business success in the 21st century. The program provides a practical overview of global trends and forces that are changing how business is conducted, why sustainable business practices provide businesses with a competitive advantage, and how to incorporate those lessons into your business. The program explores what business challenges and opportunities are created because of the growing need among businesses and markets to become more sustainable and examines how businesses are responding. Finally, participants work on developing approaches that can benefit their careers, businesses and communities.

The program will meet every Wednesday from 6:00 – 9:00 pm, beginning on January 18th and ending on April 25th. The program culminates with the award of a VCU Certificate of Achievement in Sustainability. Enrollment is limited and thus interested individuals are encouraged to reserve a place now if their schedule will permit.

VCU accepts payments in three installments - $500 upon being accepted, then payments of $500 in March and April 2012). For more information visit www.ciba.vcu.edu or contact Dr. Van R. Wood – vrwood@vcu.edu (804-519-2022).

upcoming events

Greetings All,

Below is a great collection of info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the near future in the central Virginia bioregion, including our Spring 2012 BRPN Permaculture Design Course, a rainwater harvesting and straw bale workshop, and a Food Security Summit.

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
www.blueridgepermaculture.net


1. Spring 2012 BRPN Permaculture Design Course
We are pleased to announce our winter - spring 2012 Permaculture Design Course: Sustainability Strategies for the Blue Ridge, over four weekends near Charlottesville, Virginia.
This Permaculture Design Course lays the foundation for understanding and working with natural systems to design sustainable environments that produce food, shelter, and energy. It also provides participants with models of community development and extension by which they can create networks of support for themselves and empower others to do the same. The course provides tools to help design and develop urban or rural properties or neighborhoods in a sustainable manner, revitalize local communities, and restore ecological balance.
Permaculture promotes land use systems that work with natural rhythms and patterns to create regenerative cultivated ecosystems. Participants will learn how to design and build gardens, homes, and communities that model living ecosystems. By understanding patterns in nature, students will learn how to grow food, manage water catchment and storage, utilize renewable energy and build community.
The ecological design course covers themes such as: ecological systems understanding, organic food production, natural soil improvement, watershed restoration, water conservation and management, edible forest gardening, native medicinal plants, natural habitat restoration, healthy buildings and human settlements, community and consensus building strategies, renewable energy systems, sustainable community development, local economics, and ecological planning and design methods.
This 72-hour certificate course, presented by the Blue Ridge Permaculture Network, will be offered over four weekends with leading permaculture teachers including Emily Axelbaum, Christine Gyovai, Dave Jacke, Hub Knott, Terry Lilley, Dave O’Neill, and guests (teacher bios on the website). The course will be held near Charlottesville, Virginia, at Montfair on the following dates:
Dates: Jan. 13-16, Jan. 27-29, Feb. 18-20, and March 3-4, 2012.
The cost for this course will be a sliding scale, including a discount for early registration. If you register by November 15 the sliding scale is $895-$1200. After November 15 the sliding scale is $995-$1200. A few work trade positions are available for partial tuition; inquire soon about work trade guidelines and availability. The work-trade application deadline ends on December 1st, 2011, and limited scholarships may be available, inquire for details. To register please visit the BRPN website for a registration form, or contact Terry Lilley at tygerlilley@gmail.com or 434-296-3963.
www.blueridgepermaculture.net

2. Gathering stories from PDC Alumni!

Thanks to all the past participants of the PDC course for making the BRPN what it is. For ages past, cultures have shared their stories of experience to the community. Elders of those communities have said the sharing of stories is key to making them stronger and more resilient. It was a daily practice, a core routine, that storytelling was done. It is in this light, that we are asking former BRPN alumni to share (as well people who have taken PDCs with other organizations).

Our Winter 2012 PDC is around the corner and we are hoping to collect stories from alumni to share on the BRPN website (examples: http://www.blueridgepermaculture.net/members.html) and in the course binder for the upcoming class. We are looking more specifically for stories about how you are implementing permaculture into your life and what affect your study of permaculture has had on you. Your story can be shared in a few paragraphs or so and feel free to send any photos of your work or land or life that go along with your story. We not only love to hear how it is going out there for you, but we also know that it inspires others. So thank you in advance for taking the time to tell your story.
Your stories and any questions can be sent to Emily Axelbaum, emilyaxe@gmail.com.


3.
Rainwater Harvesting Forum & Tour
November 17, 2011
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
CitySpace – 100 5th St., NE, Charlottesville
Registration Cost: $15 (lunch provided)

For architects, engineers, contractors, builders, plumbing engineers, code officials, and others interested in rainwater harvesting design and codes.

FOR MORE INFO & TO REGISTER (by Nov. 14th):
http://www.cwp.org/our-work/training/other.html

Sponsored By:
Center for Watershed Protection
Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District
City of Charlottesville
American Society of Civil Engineers – Blue Ridge Branch
Prince Charitable Trusts
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

*Please forward this announcement to others who may be interested.


4.
2nd VIRGINIA FOOD SECURITY SUMMIT
Connecting our Farms, Food, Health, and Environment
REGISTER NOW! RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE!

DEC 5 & 6th ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!
On December 5 & 6th 2011, Virginia’s farm, food, health and environment advocates will meet in one place to plan for the future of food security in Virginia. Your voice is important! Please join us for this gathering of farmers, chefs, grocers, health workers, planners, and community leaders from across the state! Register Now

At the 2nd Virginia Food Security Summit YOU will:
• Hear national and state leaders discuss trends in our food system
• Help launch the Virginia Farm to Table plan, our first statewide strategic food security plan
• Develop ideas and spark action for increasing access to healthy, nutritious food in Virginia
• Meet people who come from all corners of our food system
• Learn from food system innovators from across Virginia
• Showcase your own work in a poster

WHEN: Monday, December 5, 2011 & Tuesday, December 6, 2011

WHERE: Summit Opening – Monday, December 5
Jefferson Scholars Foundation Hall
112 Clarke Court, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Summit Plenary – Tuesday, December 6
UVa Alumni Hall
211 Emmet Street South, Charlottesville, VA 22903

AGENDA: See online agenda here!: http://virginiafoodsummit.org/agenda/
Dec 5th - Crystal Ball Roundtable & Reception (only $15, includes reception!): featuring Fred Kirschenmann of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Ken Meter of the Crossroads Resource Center, Renard Turner of Vanguard Ranch, Kathleen Merrigan (invited), USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and Todd Haymore (invited), Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry
Dec 6th (only $45, includes lunch and reception!) - Launching the Virginia Farm to Table Plan, Implementation Workshop, Showcasing Food System Innovation Across Virginia, and Networking Poster Reception

LOW REGISTRATION FEE!! Advance registration is available online.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous donor, scholarships are available to ensure that the Summit is open to all who wish to attend! Register and apply for a scholarship here.: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e51ojqcle81e734f&oseq=

NETWORKING POSTER SESSION: If you would like to reserve space at the networking poster session to feature your community food project or program, contact us: http://virginiafoodsummit.org/contact/

WHO SHOULD COME:
• Farmers
• Agriculture and public health policy makers
• Hunger prevention people
• Land and farm conservationists
• Food buyers for schools, hospitals, institutions
• Food distributors
• CSAs
• Farmers’ market coordinators
• Farm and food co-ops
• Chefs and restaurateurs
• Nutrition and child obesity specialists
• Planners
• Academics and students
• Cooperative Extension
• Sustainable Community Groups
• Economic Development Groups
Hosted by
The University of Virginia, UVa Food Collaborative, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Food System Council, Virginia State University School of Agriculture, Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Washington and Lee University, Piedmont Environmental Council

http://virginiafoodsummit.org/register/


5.
Straw Bale Work Day
A hands on experience in natural building home construction
Saturday, November 12, 2011
9:00AM-5:00PM
Roanoke, VA
$60 Registration

Led by Steve Kemble of MUDSTRAWLOVE
natural building trainers out of Asheville, NC
(www.mudstrawlove.com). Steve has over 20 years experience in natural building and
is the author of How to Build Your Elegant Home with Straw Bales.

You will contribute to a work in progress: the straw bale wall construction of a home in Roanoke. A natural, sustainable product, straw bales provide high efficiency insulation all year. No experience required; bring your interest and commitment to a day of learning, building, and fun.

Registration fee includes lunch and refreshments. You will be learning from a pioneer in designing, building and teaching the various forms of natural building. For more information or to register, contact sissy.kegley@verizon.net


6.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Small Flock Poultry Class held at Sweet Peeps Farm in Greene Co.
We will cover the basic management of small flock poultry and have a show and tell around the farm looking at layers, heritage turkeys and more!

$10 for the class

You will receive directions and additional details about the class once you register with John Thompson at 434-591-1950 or jthomp75@vt.edu

This class is part of a series of classes designed to educate homeowners on how to live more fully from the land. The series provides basic information and production options and is designed to
help first time producers and farmers as well as long time producers. You will also leave with a greater knowledge of resources available to assist in planning, marketing, and crop production. You will be provided with resources to assist in decision making, and you will gain awareness of where to find additional information and assistance.

Cathryn Kloetzli
Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Albemarle County Office
460 Stagecoach Road
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 872-4580
Fax: (434) 872-4578

Serving the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene & Louisa


7.
Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Hiring a 2nd Farm Mentor Coordinator

Farm Mentor Coordinator Position
The Farm Mentor Coordinators will work under the direct supervision of the Virginia Tech Project Management Team and Project Director of the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Project. The individual will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the proposed activities to support the development and growth of the farm mentor network that is to be integrated throughout the 3 year project. Major activities and responsibilities include: farmer recruitment and coordination, database management, and mentor-mentee curriculum development and training. Additionally, these individuals will work collaboratively with the Virginia Tech Management Team and Project Coalition to support the development and implementation of classroom, online, and on-farm educational activities and events. The work schedule will vary. It may involve seasonal variability based on curriculum implementation and farm mentor schedules, at which time appropriate adjustments would be made to the work week.

Required Qualifications:
Strong organization, communication, and interpersonal skills; Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others; Experience with training farmers and/or gardeners in classroom and/or field settings; Ability to work independently; Ability to manage detailed, complex tasks with good results; Familiarity with whole farm planning; and, Experience working with a diversity of agricultural stakeholders and practices (e.g., women, minority, small-scale, farmers with disabilities).

Role and Position Category:
Agricultural Specialist III, Part time. Hourly Wage Staff, limited to 1500 hrs/year.

Advertised Pay Range:
Commensurate with education and experience.

Applications will be reviewed starting October 28th, 2011. - APPLY ASAP!

For more information:
Please see the Virginia Tech Human Resources website for job posting #0111091: https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp
Also see the attached PDF job announcement.

Questions about the position may be directed to Kim Niewolny at niewolny@vt.edu or 540.231.5784.


8.
Farm Manager = The Farm at Sunnyside

Located 70 miles west of Washington, DC in Rappahannock County, VA, the Farm at Sunnyside produces certified organic fruits and vegetables for sale through local farmers' markets, and on-farm CSA, and select wholesale outlets. The farm has substantial infrastructure and equipment and a core team of dedicated staff. Adjacent to Shenandoah National Park, the property seeks to integarte agricultural and environmental concerns in a sustainable and mutually reinforcing fashion.

The Farm at Sunnyside is looking for a farm manager to lead its ongoing development. The succesful candidate should be committed to building an integrated organic farm that grows the highest quality nutritious produce; enhances its natural resource base; provides a healthy, rewarding and productive work environment; and is financially profitable. The position offers a competitive compensation package, including the potential to build long-term equity.

For more information or to apply, please contact Ellen Polishuk at farmerellen@loudounwireless.com, or 38369 John Wolford Rd, Purcellville, VA 20132; tel. 703-727-2996.


9.
Excellent film near Charlottesville:
7pm – Dec. 13, 2011
(540)456-8020

Blue Mountain Brewery

9519 Critzers Shop Rd., Afton.
(540) 456-8020.



Enjoy a three course dinner and watch the film, The Last Mountain , an excellent film about mountaintop removal mining and people working to stop it, on a big screen. Reservations required.
http://www.c-ville.com/Event/Music_Events_Calendar/Brew_View


10.
Attention Researchers and Agricultural Service Providers

CALL FOR POSTERS
We are pleased to announce the Call for Posters for our Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference. Our mission is “To empower and inspire farmers, individuals, and communities in the South to create an agricultural system that is ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just, and humane. Because sustainable solutions depend on the involvement of the entire community, Southern SAWG is committed to including all persons in the South without bias.”

Our Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference attracts over 1,200 farmers and advocates every year and provides a great opportunity for researchers to disseminate research results and for service providers to share program outcomes (separately we offer trade show tables for organizations, agencies and businesses to distribute materials, demonstrate or sell services/products, and/or interact with target audiences. See our website for details about trade show exhibits).

Poster content should be aimed at providing practical tools and solutions for sustaining family farms and creating local food systems.
Those interested in displaying a poster(s) at this event must first submit a brief abstract for each poster. Members of the Southern SAWG Scientific Committee will review all submitted abstracts and make decisions regarding acceptance.

We invite abstracts for posters that focus on issues related to sustainable agriculture including, but
not limited to, the following topics:
- organic or sustainable commercial production of vegetable crops, field crops, poultry, livestock, forest crops, fish, cut flowers, value-added products or other specialty crops;
- business & risk management;
- direct or alternative marketing strategies;
- local food systems;
- climate change impacts on agriculture;
- sustainable energy;
- youth in agriculture;
- community development

Please email all abstracts for review to: poster@ssawg.org by December 1, 2011.
Accepted posters will be notified within 2 weeks and registration materials will be provided at that time.

Abstract Details
Abstracts are due by December 1, 2011.
Abstracts should be in the following format: one-half page; single-space; title; author(s); institution or organization; and contact information (address, phone number, email address). You may submit more than one abstract, although not all may be accepted for poster display. Members of the Southern SAWG Scientific Committee will review all submitted abstracts and make decisions regarding acceptance.

Poster Details
Upon acceptance of your abstract, a poster registration form with payment options will be sent to you via email. Your $150.00 poster registration will be due January 6, 2012. Conference registration ($165) is separate, if you wish to participate in the conference (see our website for conference program). We cannot accept purchase orders or vouchers. Personal or institutional checks or credit card information must accompany your registration form.
The poster size should not exceed 46” x 36” (or 36”x46”). High-quality printing is requested.
Posters must be received by Noon, January 19, 2012. The poster can be either delivered or shipped to us in Little Rock. Southern SAWG staff will install posters for display onsite. Researchers are welcome to take their poster at the end of the event. However, we cannot return any posters that wereshipped to us.
Posters will be on display at The Peabody Hotel-Little Rock in our Trade Show area during regular trade show hours January 20-21, 2012.
Abstracts will then be posted on Southern SAWG website (www.ssawg.org) for one year, to reach those who could not attend the conference.

Timeline and Registration
December 1, 2011- abstract submission due (send via email to poster@ssawg.org )
December 9, 2011- abstract acceptance notification and registration material provided
January 6, 2012 - $150 early-bird poster registration due; $225 if payment is received after January 6.
January 19, 2012 – poster received at conference facility by Noon

upcoming events

Greetings All,

Below is a great collection of info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the near future in the central Virginia bioregion, including our Spring 2012 BRPN Permaculture Design Course, apprentice teacher opportunities, and a chance to feature your project on the BRPN website.

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
www.blueridgepermaculture.net


1. Spring 2012 BRPN Permaculture Design Course
We are pleased to announce our winter - spring 2012 Permaculture Design Course: Sustainability Strategies for the Blue Ridge, over four weekends near Charlottesville, Virginia.

This Permaculture Design Course lays the foundation for understanding and working with natural systems to design sustainable environments that produce food, shelter, and energy. It also provides participants with models of community development and extension by which they can create networks of support for themselves and empower others to do the same. The course provides tools to help design and develop urban or rural properties or neighborhoods in a sustainable manner, revitalize local communities, and restore ecological balance.

Permaculture promotes land use systems that work with natural rhythms and patterns to create regenerative cultivated ecosystems. Participants will learn how to design and build gardens, homes, and communities that model living ecosystems. By understanding patterns in nature, students will learn how to grow food, manage water catchment and storage, utilize renewable energy and build community.

The ecological design course covers themes such as: ecological systems understanding, organic food production, natural soil improvement, watershed restoration, water conservation and management, edible forest gardening, native medicinal plants, natural habitat restoration, healthy buildings and human settlements, community and consensus building strategies, renewable energy systems, sustainable community development, local economics, and ecological planning and design methods.

This 72-hour certificate course, presented by the Blue Ridge Permaculture Network, will be offered over four weekends with leading permaculture teachers including Emily Axelbaum, Christine Gyovai, Dave Jacke, Hub Knott, Terry Lilley, Dave O’Neill, and guests (teacher bios on the website). The course will be held near Charlottesville, Virginia, at Montfair on the following dates:

Dates: Jan. 13-16, Jan. 27-29, Feb. 18-20, and March 3-4, 2012.

The cost for this course will be a sliding scale, including a discount for early registration. If you register by November 15 the sliding scale is $895-$1200. After November 15 the sliding scale is $995-$1200. A few work trade positions are available for partial tuition; inquire soon about work trade guidelines and availability. The work-trade application deadline ends on December 1st, 2011, and limited scholarships may be available, inquire for details. To register please visit the BRPN website for a registration form, or contact Terry Lilley at tygerlilley@gmail.com or 434-296-3963.

www.blueridgepermaculture.net


2. Apprentice Teachers for Spring Permaculture Design Course

The Blue Ridge Permaculture Network is now accepting applicants for two apprentice teaching positions for the Winter-Spring 2012 PDC. Please see the website for more details on how to apply: http://www.blueridgepermaculture.net/courses.html. Applications should be submitted by October 24, 2011. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

3. Gathering stories from PDC Alumni!

Thanks to all the past participants of the PDC course for making the BRPN what it is. For ages past, cultures have shared their stories of experience to the community. Elders of those communities have said the sharing of stories is key to making them stronger and more resilient. It was a daily practice, a core routine, that storytelling was done. It is in this light, that we are asking former BRPN alumni to share (as well people who have taken PDCs with other organizations).

Our Winter 2012 PDC is around the corner and we are hoping to collect stories from alumni to share on the BRPN website (examples: http://www.blueridgepermaculture.net/members.html) and in the course binder for the upcoming class. We are looking more specifically for stories about how you are implementing permaculture into your life and what affect your study of permaculture has had on you. Your story can be shared in a few paragraphs or so and feel free to send any photos of your work or land or life that go along with your story. We not only love to hear how it is going out there for you, but we also know that it inspires others. So thank you in advance for taking the time to tell your story.

Your stories and any questions can be sent to Emily Axelbaum, emilyaxe@gmail.com.


4.
Good to Go Foods' of Roanoke, VA offers monthly programs in growing, harvesting, preparing and preserving the abundance of Southwest Virginia. Cooks' Collaborative brings folks together to share cooking skills and the fruits of our work. Star City Culture Club helps participants learn and share traditional fermentation skills: making breads, cheese, yogurt, cultured vegetables, tempeh, and medicinal libations.
Nancy is available for cooking classes, food writing and research, recipe development, and free-lance, natural foods and/or vegetarian chef services. She would love to entertain and inspire your group or class on almost any topic related to growing, preparing, and preserving vegetables and herbs. Phone Nancy Maurelli at 540/345-3405 to register/receive location details or check out the Good to Go Foods listing at LocalHarvest.org.

5.
Sacred Plant Traditions - Foundations of Herbalism Program

This is the heart and soul of our teachings here at SPT. These programs are for those wishing to help their friends and families maintain health, deepen their plant knowledge or begin the training as a community herbalist. The curriculum is dynamic, contemplative and provides a sense of community as we move through the seasons learning each step of the process. The course of study is one weekend per month beginning March of 2011.

It is time to register for our Nine-Month Foundations Program beginning March of 2012!

www.sacredplanttraditions.com


6.
Cville CSF, a CSA for fish started by students in the School of Architecture at U. Va., will begin its fall season this Saturday! The community-supported fishery is a subscription program that features responsibly-raised catfish, rainbow trout, and freshwater prawns from south-central Virginia, brought on a biweekly basis by one of the farmers to the Charlottesville Farmers' Market. All of the fish is raised without hormones or antibiotics and on land free of pesticides and herbicides. The farmers take great pride in their fish, and have expressed their deep gratitude for the guaranteed market the CSF model
provides.

For our fall season, we offer shares of catfish, trout, and prawns individually, as well as shares that mix and match the three species. Our brochure is attached to this email, which describes all of our share options in detail. Each share consists of six pickups over the course of twelve weeks, but if anyone expects to miss a week, we offer reduced subscriptions, as well. Please feel free to either email me or Doug Dickerson (dickerson.douglas@gmail.com) or go to our website: cvillecsf.com. There you can find a profile of the farmers, as well as purchase shares online. We ask that all orders be received by this coming Friday, but any latecomers are welcome as well!

If you're looking for local fish and would like to help support small farm communities, please consider joining us!


7.
Transition C'ville/Albemarle
When: Mon, October 17, 6pm – 9pm
Where: Unitarian Church - 717 Rugby Road (map) in Charlottesville
Description: TRANSITION CHARLOTTESVILLE/ALBEMARLE Transition Charlottesville/Albemarle is a group of individuals attempting to discover ways to help our communities adapt and thrive in response to climate change, peak oil, and a challenging economy. For more information goto http://transitioncville.org/ and http://transitionus.org/transition-101 We meet the third Monday of each month at the Unitarian Church 717 Rugby Road 6:30 P.M. – Pot Luck meet and greet newcomers – powerpoint introduction 7-8:30 P.M. Meeting

http://www.transitioncville.org


8.
Thursday, October 13th, 6pm
Green Drinks Charlottesville
Brookeville Restaurant (225 West Main St, above Escafe)
Several of us went last week, shared a local brew, and met others working and organizing to keep our communities groovy and green. We hope you’ll join us this time around!

http://www.greendrinks.org/index.php?city=Charlottesville&country=USA


9.
October 21-23, come out and share our local sustainability efforts at the Roanoke Outdoor Circus.
The Urbiculture Foundation will be organizing local sustainability people who want to help spread the word. Whether you have a cool sustainable demo, information or want to help the road crew, let us know!
We have jobs for setting up, taking down, providing information at the tables and more. We’re looking for creative ideas, too.

http://urbiculture.org/2011/10/10/contact-us-about-the-sustainable-living-roadshow-in-roanoke/


10
Common Good City Farm in D.C.
Upcoming Events & Workshops

Common Good City Farm is an urban farm and education center growing food for low-income residents in Washington, DC and providing educational opportunities for all people that help increase food security, improve health, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Sat. 10/22: Workshop (Free) "Protecting Watersheds: Rain Gardens in our Landscapes"
1:30pm. Learn about the relevance of rain gardens. Website below

Mon. 10/24: International Food Day & Free Movie Screening
6:30pm to 8:30pm. The new documentary "A Community of Gardeners" explores seven community gardens in DC. Website below

Thu. 10/27: Suckers at DC9 — A Concert Benefit.
Brooklyn band "Suckers" at DC9 Nightclub. Ticket proceeds benefit Common Good. Website below

Sat. 10/29: Harvest Festival
11am to 2pm. A free event celebrating the fall and a great growing season. Learn more & RSVP >>

http://www.commongoodcityfarm.org


11.
2011 Governor's Conference on Energy Post-Conference Event

Registration Form: Green Building Tour

October 19, 2011 • 8:30 am–12:30 pm

Co-hosted by VSBN and James River Green Building Council
REGISTRATION AND EVENT INFORMATION

Meet at the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, at 8:30 am to go by bus to the three Green Building tour locations. This tour will feature the Moseley Architects office, an historic building renovated to high performance standards; the Virginia Commonwealth University Cary Street Gymnasium, another historic building now featuring 21st century systems; and the McGuire Veterans Hospital, a major institutional campus, which features existing building upgrades, as well as new construction. The tour group is limited to 20 participants.

http://www.vsbn.org/registrationform_20111019.html


12.
Two excellent PBS programs dealing with sustainable agriculture. They are archived on the PBS site and you can stream either one on your PC.

The first, "The Botany of Desire" has a racy title and is quite fascinating, but actually covers the origins of some of the world's most popular plants, the need for biodiversity and preservation of native species, and the problems and risks created by modern industrial farming. The link below is a 5 minute trailer, which then gives you the option of watching the entire 1:55 hour program or selected chapters by topic. The trailer is here: http://video.pbs.org/video/1220836827/

The second is "Silence of the Bees". The dwindling populations of native honeybees around the world is alarming -- Especially since the stinkbug invasion the past two years has led to widespread use of systemic pesticides in the US that are banned in Europe due to their observed link to Colony Collapse Disorder. The gardening websites I frequent now have threads raving about the benefits of Ortho Flower Fruit and Vegetable Spray which contains neonicotinoid neurotoxins.

According to the product label, this chemical is toxic to humans, just not as toxic as it is to insects. It is a systemic insecticide, meaning it is absorbed into the capillary system of the plant - you can't get rid of it by washing, peeling, etc., but you can pass it on to your baby if you are pregnant or nursing. It is also exuded into the nectar and pollen -- thus poisoning all pollinating insects, not just honeybees. Don't get me started.

Albert Einstein once said, "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man."

Anyway, this link gives you the option of watching the entire program or selected segments:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/

Finally, if you follow Dr. Mercola as I do, here's a link to his article discussing the health implications of the above topics (also be sure to check out the readers' comments following the main article):
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/09/25/why-are-the-bees-disappearing.aspx?e_cid=20110925_SNL_Art_1


13.
Elfin Permaculture Announces
15th Annual Permaculture Design Course Online

After a one-year sabbatical, Elfin Permaculture's Annual Permaculture Design Course Online resumes, beginning Jan. 9, 2012. The course benefits from experience gleaned during a decade and a half of Elfin Permaculture online courses, and about 30 years of permaculture teaching by the lead instructor, Dan Hemenway.

The certificate course runs six months and includes the following learning approaches:

• Extensive reading in books, papers, both in print and on the course CD-ROM;
• 21 modules of at least one week, mainly presented on the CD, representing the formal presentations of course instructors;
• At least four reports from each student, including a full permaculture design report[1];
• Class discussion, via email, of readings and reports, as well as questions and issues raised by students or instructors;
• The opportunity to participate in student study groups where interested students can pursue any agreed-upon topic for as long as they wish (independently of the course schedule);
• Support for students by three instructors: Dan Hemenway, course designer leader; Cynthia Hemenway CNM, designer and discussion leader for a special week on Design for Health, and Robert Waldrop, founder of the Oklahoma Food Cooperative and leader of several online discussion groups, our course moderator and discussion leader. You may read further background of our instructors on our web site. In practice, Robert will lead most discussion groups and review early design work and Dan will review more complete design drafts and provide deep backup throughout, as needed. Cynthia focuses mainly on the Design for Health module and serves as further deep back up for Dan.

The online course consists of three consecutive sections, plus work on a permaculture design which students undertake throughout the cycle in which they are registered. Samples of student design work are included in the course CD. We offer several registration options to accommodate people in varied circumstances including a non-certificate track, certificate training in one six-month cycle, and a two year ‘deliberate track’ that enables a student to participate in two consecutive course cycles and take ample time to prepare the design report for certification.

Registration is limited because of the time required to review and critique individual designs. (See below for registration limits.) Because students may enroll in a fast track or deliberate track, each with different design report deadlines, we can accommodate more students.

To review information about the course methodology, content, certification requirements, tuition & fees, registration process, scholarship policies, reading list & cost, and assignment schedule, download the free course preregistration package from our web site, www.barkingfrogspermaculture.org

To download only the package without visiting our site, go to http://www.barkingfrogspermaculture.org/preregistration.pdf

ANNUAL LETTER – Barking Frogs Permaculture Center

All of the projects described in our 2010-2011 letter http://www.barkingfrogspermaculture.org/2011letter.htm continue at Barking Frogs Permaculture Center. Therefore we will tack changes to the course announcement, and avoid sending this to you separately.


14. Form your Team for the 2nd Annual Wayside Cup
Wayside Center for Popular Education (1100 Mill Pond Rd, Faber, VA 22938)
How it works: Teams of 4 to 6 dedicated movement builders raise money and show up at the Center in Faber, VA to compete in an all day extravaganza of friendly competition in an activist field day and have an awesome time! There will be fun prizes and incentives along the way and the winning team will take home the Wayside Cup and return to defend it next year. For more information visit http://waysidecenter.org/2011waysidecup.php.
Contact Joanie at freeman.joanie@gmail.com to sign up!

upcoming events

Greetings All,

Below is a great collection of info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the near future in the central Virginia bioregion, including Jon Young and the Meet Yer Eats Farm Tour next weekend. We already have a good start to our crew - but we need a few more folks for the BRPN table at the upcoming Heritage Harvest Fest (see below for more info).

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
www.blueridgepermaculture.net


1.
BRPN at Heritage Harvest Festival on Sept. 17
Calling all Blue Ridge Permaculture Network folks!!!

We are going to have a booth at the September 17th Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello. We are looking for permaculture folks to sign up to help at the BRPN booth and talk permaculture, regeneration and local resources. Contact Christine at christinegyovai@gmail.com to sign up. Thank you!!!

http://heritageharvestfestival.com/


2.
Heritage Harvest Festival

Permaculture Workshops will be offered with BRPN's Christine Gyovai and Terry Lilley at the Heritage Harvest Festival, held at Monticello on Sept. 16-17th, 2011.

Stop by and see the Blue Ridge Permaculture Network table, with permaculture demonstrations, at this year's Heritage Harvest Festival. For more info, see: http://heritageharvestfestival.com

Introduction to Permaculture – Regeneration and Perennial Polycultureswith Christine Gyovai
Friday, 9:00 – 11:15 a.m., Woodland Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center
Learn how to create more sustainable homes, neighborhoods, and communities using the principles of permaculture—an ecological design method that uses observation and patterns in nature. This method also employs strategies to improve soil, grow food, create edible forest gardens and perennial polycultures, harvest water, utilize renewable energy and regenerative building techniques. Participants will leave the workshop energized with permaculture tools that can be implemented in their home and community. $15

Lecture: Introduction to Permaculture – Regeneration and Renewal with Christine Gyovai
Saturday, 3:15 – 4:15 p.m., Woodland Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center
Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human settlements. By learning from natural ecosystem dynamics we can apply the same patterns to create gardens that function like a forest and home water systems that function like a wetland. From this introduction participants can take home some permaculture principles and put them into action. $10

For more info, see: http://heritageharvestfestival.com


3.

September 3 – 4, 2011
Reclaiming Our Natural Connections
and Building Community Resiliency with Jon Young

Sat. 9am - Sun. 3pm/ Free Evening Talk Friday Sept. 2 @6pm

Have you heard of The Last Child in the Woods and Nature Deficit Disorder? Are you curious about ways to increase the health and vitality of children and families, especially ways to unplug from media and get outside? Do you wonder about how to build and sustain community? If so, come to an evening talk and weekend workshop that promotes connecting with nature and community building, through timeless indigenous approaches such as storytelling, relationship and sustainability. Hear about an international movement that looks at ways to connect with nature and people, to live in balance with modern culture and the outdoors. Living Earth School is thrilled to bring our long time mentor Jon Young to Charlottesville, to share his inspiring words and vision. It is truly a not to miss weekend. Jon’s work and the work of The Living Earth School, is the kind of work that builds hope and creates a better place for our children and their children. This vision not only gives us the resilience to survive but to thrive in the years to come.

Our weekend is held at beautiful Camp Albemarle nestled among river, field and mountains. The program is held for adults and families are welcome, as there will be a children’s program for ages 5-8 and 9+ (space for children is limited).

Cost is a sliding scale of $200-$250 per adult, $75-$125 per child (food, camping and instruction included).


Jon Young is a national treasure and leader in the field of deep nature connection. His "Cultural Mentoring" approach to developing deep nature connection, holistic human awareness and advance peacemaking skills has spawned over 100 local deep nature connection organizations and initiatives in the U.S. and Europe. Inspired by his childhood mentoring with famous tracker and author Tom Brown, Jr., Jon is co-author of a new book on nature connection mentoring, "Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature," and currently works at the Regenerative Design Institute on the RDNA program. Visit his website at http://www.regenerativedesign.org

For more information, see: http://www.livingearthva.com/adult.html#john_young


4.
Meet Yer Eats Farm Tour in Central Virginia
With Market Central
September 5, 2011

10 AM y 4 PM
19 Farms to visit
$15 per car in advance
$25 per car after September 1
marketcentralonline.org

http://www.marketcentralonline.org/market_central_site/Farm_Tour_2011.html


5.
Sacred Plant Traditions
Six Week Series - Introduction to Herbal Medicine

Fall Session Thursdays: Sept 22 - October 27, in Charlottesville, VA
This six week series is great for beginners as well as those who want to deepen their knowledge and use of herbal medicine. This course will include history, herbal actions, apothecary practices, recipes, sacred use of plants and more. The weeks fly by as we spend time in the classroom, the kitchen, the lab and best of all, the garden. We will learn how to identify basic back yard medicines as well as those cultivated in the garden. We will learn harvest techniques, how to dry and preserve our medicines.
Fee $225 (Deposit: $50).
Fee includes all materials & text.

Fall Session: Thursday Morning Classes, 10am - 12:30pm
www.sacredplanttraditions.com
________________________________________
Sacred Plant Traditions Special Guest Teacher Sheila Guarnajia.
Weight Management, Blood Sugar and Traditional Wisdom.

Sept 28 or 29, 2011 in Charlottesville, VA

Join us for a very special class with Acupuncturist Sheila Guarnajia. Sheila's gift for simplifying complicated issues is perfect for this class where there are so many myths and misguided diets confusing our communities and culture as a whole. In this class Sheila will give basic tenets of Chinese traditional wisdom for working with nourishment and foods for our body types. She will address metabolic syndrome, low and high blood sugar and how to navigate some basic disease proccesses related to these topics.

This class is part of SPT's clinical training so some background in health will be helpful. This class is not on our website so please call Heather to inquire about registration.434-295-3820

Class runs from 9am - 4pm and the fee is only $85.
Same class is offered Weds, September 28 and Thursday, the 29th

www.sacredplanttraditions.com

6.
Edible Ecosystems Emerging: Food Forestry for the 21st Century-
A 9-Day Forest Garden Design Intensive

With Dave Jacke, Matthew English, and Friends.

At Spiral Ridge Permaculture Gardens
and The Farm Community Center
Summertown, Tennessee
September 23-October 2, 2011

Forest ecosystems exhibit many beneficial properties we humans would be wise to emulate in our culture, agriculture and horticulture: they maintain, renew, fertilize and propagate themselves without human inputs; they build, store, and conserve clean air, clean water, nutrients, soil quality, and biodiversity; and they exhibit stability, resilience, and adaptability. These qualities emerge from the dynamics of the forest as a whole system, not from any one or more of the elements that comprise the forest alone. To design productive edible ecosystems that express these same qualities, we must understand forest structures, functions, patterns, and processes and use this knowledge wisely.

In this nine-day intensive course, you will dive deeply into the vision, theory, and practice of designing wholesome, dynamic, and resilient edible ecosystems using temperate deciduous forests as models. Dave Jacke and his teaching team will offer lectures, site walks, and experiential exercises to help you understand how the architecture, social structure, underground economics, and successional processes of natural forests apply in the design of edible ecosystems of all kinds. You'll learn a variety of ecological design processes while designing a range of food-producing ecologies at our host farm. We'll also engage with issues of garden management, economics, and the deep paradigmatic shifts required to succeed at cocreating “humanatural” landscapes and cultures. You will leave inspired and empowered to design food forests at home for yourself, and your friends, neighbors and clients.

Sliding scale (covers tuition and food): $1,100-$1,400. Amounts paid over $1,100 will go into the scholarship fund. Partial scholarships will likely be available. Contact the below for lodging information (some options on site, some off).

Sponsored by: Spiral Ridge Permaculture Gardens
Location: Spiral Ridge Permaculture Gardens and
The Farm Community Center, Summertown, TN.
To register or for info: 931-964-2375
www.spiralridgepermaculture.com
spiralridgepermaculture@gmail.com
-------------
Dave Jacke
Dynamics Ecological Design
308 Main St. #2C • Greenfield, MA • 01301
603-831-1298 • davej@edibleforestgardens.com


7.
FORREST GREEN FARM

Hours Thursday thru Sunday 9-5

We are a small, family farm located in Louisa, Virginia. Our family is committed to supplying you with the best naturally and ecologically grown medicinal and culinary herb plants, dried herbal mixes and teas, vegetables, grass-fed beef, pastured chicken eggs, pastured poultry (whole birds), and horse hay. Another specialty of Forrest Green Farm is our registered Polled Miniature Herefords. We offer classes on gardening and healthy living. Our classes focus on growing for the future by teaching about natural and sustainable methods of growing herbs and vegetables for healthier, self-reliant living.

NOW REGISTERING: www.forrestgreenfarm.com/wholeliving.html

2011 Winter Whole Living From the Ground Up: Topics Covered: Tool and garden

equipment maintenance (from hand tools to tractors), Winter clothing – how to dress to be comfortable and prepared for outdoor weather, Woodstoves, (selection, use, maintenance), Firewood (wood selection, harvesting, and storage), Cutting tools use and care (Chainsaws, saws, and knives), Mushroom logs (hands-on to inoculate and take one home), Wild edibles (fall, winter, and spring), Animal care in winter (chicken, cows, horses, birds), Greenhouse growing in winter, Extending the growing season (techniques and tips), Herb & Vegetable Gardening from seed: ordering seed, starting from seed, greenhouse growing, storing left over seed, planting seed in trays for pot production as well as direct seeding in the garden, Sprouts, Nature connection – building connections and spirituality with nature, Winter Solstice Celebration, Tracking, Shelters and fire starting, Campfire cooking & cast iron cookware (care & how to use), Compass and orienteering, Seasonal foods, Jelly making in the winter, Food storage (realistic
healthy approach to eliminate waste), Herbal care for your family in the winter, Hunting (safety, equipment, and ethical techniques), Wild game processing, Smoking and dehydrating jerky

2012 Whole Living From the Ground Up: Topics Covered: Herb & Vegetable Gardening

from seed, planting seed in trays for pot production as well as direct seeding in the garden, transplanting techniques, garden beds: soil preparation using the no-till sheet layered technique, how & when to till if necessary, herb & vegetable growing: planting, tending, harvesting, and preserving, herbal medicine harvesting: learning the proper part of the herb to harvest, when to harvest, and the best ways to prepare medicine with the herb, general garden care: through the season (watering, weeding, fertilizing),fertilization – organic methods and crop rotation, organic pest control and insect identification, companion planting, vermicomposting, seed saving, making garden structures: support in the garden, cover crops & natural mulches, plant journey: basic botany for gardeners, plant identification, in depth look at 20+ herbs, nature journaling, ethical wildcrafting, herbal medicine making: as we go through the seasons we will harvest herbs at the
proper times to make teas, tinctures, salves, oils, vinegars, herbal honey, aromatherapy, herbs for the medicine chest, herbs as food: delightful culinary dishes, medicinal herbs in everyday food for medicine, seasoning mixes, herbal body care, cordials, syrups, elixirs, fermented foods, whole nourishing foods and eating seasonally.

www.forrestgreenfarm.com


8.
Transition C'ville/Albemarle

When: Mon, September 19, 6pm – 9pm
Where: Unitarian Church - 717 Rugby Road (map)
Description: TRANSITION CHARLOTTESVILLE/ALBEMARLE Transition Charlottesville/Albemarle is a group of individuals attempting to discover ways to help our communities adapt and thrive in response to climate change, peak oil, and a challenging economy. For more information goto http://transitioncville.org/ and http://transitionus.org/transition-101 We meet the third Monday of each month at the Unitarian Church 717 Rugby Road 6:30 P.M. – Pot Luck meet and greet newcomers – powerpoint introduction 7-8:30 P.M. Meeting
http://transitioncville.org


9.
Virginia Food Security Summit – Connecting Our Farms, Food, Health and the Environment
Save-the-Date – Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Alumni Hall, 211, Emmet St. South
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA

Hosted by UVa, Virginia Food Systems Council, VA Cooperative Extension, VA Tech, and Washington and Lee University
www.virginia.edu/ien/foodsummit2011
email:VAFoodSummit2011@gmail.com


10.
Save the Date
Ninth Annual Small Farm Family Conference
November 1-2, 2011 - Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, 150 Slayton Avenue, Danville, Virginia 24540

Virginia State University has begun planning for its Ninth Annual Small Farm Family Conference. This year's event will take place at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville - the same place that the last two Virginia Biological Farming Conferences were held.
Watch for additional details in future e-mail and/or the fall issue of Virginia Biological Farmer.


11.
Calls for Posters and Vendors
Southern SAWG Conference - Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms
January 18-21 - Little Rock, AR

The Southern SAWG Conference planning committee is developing an excellent program for this year's Conference. Keep an eye on our newly refurbished web site, www.ssawg.org, for conference details and registration as they become available this fall.
At this time, we are issuing a Call for Posters. A poster is an excellent way to communicate research findings with practical application to sustainable or organic farming systems, and technical assistance or other services available for family farms.
See attached pdf file 2012 Call for Posters - final for more information, including a directions and an application form.
If you would like to display a poster at the Southern SAWG Conference (where it will be seen by some 1,200 farmers, educators, advocates, and other agricultural professionals that share a commitment to sustainable agriculture and food systems), submit a half-page abstract for consideration no later than December 1, to poster@ssawg.org. Your abstract will be reviewed by the Southern SAWG scientific committee, and you will be notified by mid-December whether your poster has been accepted.
NOTE - you do not need to attend the Conference yourself in order to display a poster - though it would be much more fun and rewarding if you do!

The Conference organizers are also inviting Vendors to display their goods and services through the Trade Show. See attached pdf file tradeshowvinvite12-finalAug11 for more information and registration form.

http://www.ssawg.org/

12. (FROM VABF)
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011
Ask your Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor this Bill

When Congress returns from recess at the end of this month, Senator Tom Harkin and Representative Tim Walz are planning to introduce a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011, to mandate substantial program support and assistance to new and beginning farmers and ranchers. One thing this Act would do is to continue and expand the successful Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) in the next Farm Bill. Among the many projects funded by BFRDP is the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Project, of which VABF is a partner organization. In addiiton to BFRDP, Harkin and Walz' new Act would provide additional support to beginning farmers in many other ways, such as set-asides in existing conservation and marketing programs for beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged producers, improved access to USDA savings and credit programs, and making beginning producers an explicit priority for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). An outline of the bill can be found here:http://sustainableagriculture.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/BRF-Bill-2-pager-Aug-2011-revised.pdf

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and its member organizations are seeking to get as many Senators and Representatives as we can to co-sponsor the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011. I have contacted Virginia's two Senators and my own Representative to ask them for their co-sponsorship. The more of us on this list who can also do so, the better. I have heard that as few as seven or eight calls on a specific bill or issue will get a Senator or Representative's attention, and can impel them to take action that they might not otherwise have taken. So - your call or letter can make a big difference - especially for those of you who are beginning farmers or ranchers (less than 10 years in the profession) and would directly benefit from any of the current or proposed new programs in this Act.

To contact Senator Mark Warner, call 202-224-2023 and ask to speak with his agricultural aide Nicholas Devereux. After an initial call, you can follow up with an e-mail to him at Nicholas_Devereux@warner.senate.gov.
To contact Senator Jim Webb, call 202-224-4024 and ask to speak with his agricultural aide Trevor Dean. After an initial call, you can follow up with an e-mail to him at Trevor_Dean@webb.senate.gov.

I have already given them the following information, but in case my e-mail gets lost in the huge volume they must be receiving on 1000 different topics, you could mention that Senators should contact Senator Tom Harkin's staff person Mark Halverson at 202-224-3254 to co-sponsor the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act.

To contact your Representative, if you do not have his/her telephone number in DC, call the Capitol switchboard 202-225-3121, and when you get your Representative's office, ask for the staff person who works with agricultural issues. Representatives should contact Tim Walz's staff person Leah Rosales at 202-225-2472 to co-sponsor the bill.

upcoming events

Greetings All,

Below is a great collection of info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the near future in the central Virginia bioregion, including great events this weekend.

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
www.blueridgepermaculture.net


1.
BRPN at Heritage Harvest Festival on Sept. 17
Calling all Blue Ridge Permaculture Network folks!!!
We are going to have a booth at the September 17th Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello. We are looking for about 10 awesome permaculture folks to sign up to help at the BRPN booth and talk permaculture, regeneration and local resources. Contact Christine at christinegyovai@gmail.com to sign up. Thank you!!!
http://heritageharvestfestival.com/

2.
Edible Ecosystems Emerging: Food Forestry for the 21st Century-
A 9-Day Forest Garden Design Intensive
With Dave Jacke, Matthew English, and Friends.
At Spiral Ridge Permaculture Gardens
and The Farm Community Center
Summertown, Tennessee
September 23-October 2, 2011
Forest ecosystems exhibit many beneficial properties we humans would be wise to emulate in our culture, agriculture and horticulture: they maintain, renew, fertilize and propagate themselves without human inputs; they build, store, and conserve clean air, clean water, nutrients, soil quality, and biodiversity; and they exhibit stability, resilience, and adaptability. These qualities emerge from the dynamics of the forest as a whole system, not from any one or more of the elements that comprise the forest alone. To design productive edible ecosystems that express these same qualities, we must understand forest structures, functions, patterns, and processes and use this knowledge wisely.

In this nine-day intensive course, you will dive deeply into the vision, theory, and practice of designing wholesome, dynamic, and resilient edible ecosystems using temperate deciduous forests as models. Dave Jacke and his teaching team will offer lectures, site walks, and experiential exercises to help you understand how the architecture, social structure, underground economics, and successional processes of natural forests apply in the design of edible ecosystems of all kinds. You'll learn a variety of ecological design processes while designing a range of food-producing ecologies at our host farm. We'll also engage with issues of garden management, economics, and the deep paradigmatic shifts required to succeed at cocreating “humanatural” landscapes and cultures. You will leave inspired and empowered to design food forests at home for yourself, and your friends, neighbors and clients.

Sliding scale (covers tuition and food): $1,100-$1,400. Amounts paid over $1,100 will go into the scholarship fund. Partial scholarships will likely be available. Contact the below for lodging information (some options on site, some off).

Sponsored by: Spiral Ridge Permaculture Gardens
Location: Spiral Ridge Permaculture Gardens and
The Farm Community Center, Summertown, TN.
To register or for info: 931-964-2375
www.spiralridgepermaculture.com
spiralridgepermaculture@gmail.com
-------------
Dave Jacke
Dynamics Ecological Design
308 Main St. #2C • Greenfield, MA • 01301
603-831-1298 • davej@edibleforestgardens.com


3.
Transition Charlottesville/Albemarle
Presents the 2nd in the ongoing series of Reskilling Workshops
Refilling cartridges & making business cards
When: Saturday July 23st , 2011
Where: Virginia Organizing 703 Concord Ave. C'ville
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Class limited to 12 people
Call (434) 987-1026 to make a reservation.
Bring your empties - each participant will have a chance to refill their cartridge

Future Workshops
3rd – solar oven & recipe cards August
4th – backyard chickens September
www.transitioncville.org


4.
July 16th, 5:30 p.m. Local Organic Potluck and Video, Social Hall, Unitarian Church
You are invited to a local, organic potluck, to be followed by a showing of "Cover Crops and Compost Crops in Your Garden," a 60-minute DVD featuring Virginia permaculturist Cindy Conner. Please bring a dish of local and/or organic food to share. Sponsored by the Green Sanctuary and cosponsored by Transition Charlottesville Ablemarle.
Located at Thomas Jefferson MemorialUnitarian Church at 717 Rugby Road. Charlottesville.
For more information please call Deborah at 296-9637. Free and open to the public.


5.
Sacred Plant Traditions classes
The Art of Fermentation
One-Day Class: July 23
10am – 2:30pm

Learn to make delicious lacto-fermented foods in this hands-on workshop. Fermentation is a traditional way of food preparation that not only preserves the harvest but also yields greater nourishment, a healthier digestive system, and thus increased vitality. We will make kimchi, brined garlic, lacto-fermented beets and ginger carrots, all of which can be easily incorporated into meals. We will also make some fermented and cultured beverages including kombucha, honey wine and sodas that are actually good for you. There will be a wide array of samples and you will leave with the skills necessary to begin lacto-fermenting foods at home.
This class will be taught by community herbalist, Suzanna Stone
Herbal teas will be provided at all the one day workshops. Please pack a bag lunch.
Fee for the class is $75. Deposit $30.

www.sacredplanttraditions.com

Six Week Introduction to Herbal Healing
Fall Session, Thursdays
September 22 - October 27
10 am - 12:30pm

This six week series is great for beginners as well as those who want to deepen their knowledge and use of herbal medicine. This course will include history, herbal actions, apothecary practices, recipes, sacred use of plants and more. The weeks fly by as we spend time in the classroom, the kitchen, the lab and best of all, the garden. We will learn how to identify basic back yard medicines as well as those cultivated in the garden. We will learn harvest techniques, how to dry and preserve our medicines.
Fee $225 (Deposit: $50).
Fee includes all materials & text.

www.sacredplanttraditions.com


6.
FOOD PRESERVATION RESOURCES

Thanks to a grant from the Farmers Market Coalition and the Ball Canning Jar company, Market Central is offering several events this summer in our "Discover You Can!" program. We have classes, market demos and such scheduled throughout the summer, and would invite you to check out the full schedule on our website: www.marketcentralonline.org. The jam class on 7/24 is full (wow!) but there are spots available in the 7/23 pickle class. Still to come is online registration for a water bath canning basics class on 8/20 with Leni Sorenson (think: peaches and tomatoes) - but there are many programs to spur your interest, including a collaborative class with the Local Food Hub on August 13.

Plus: save the date for a 'Canner's Celebratory SWAP', to be held Sunday, September 25th at the Haven. Details forthcoming.

At this moment, I have a room full of promotional materials, and want to share them far & wide -- well, at least further and wider than my dining room! -- and I'm sure I have many times more than needed for our purposes at the market. I'd love to get them into the hands of individuals/groups who will most benefit, which is why I'm posting to this list. I have thousands of copies of a nicely done, concise brochure on the basics of water bath canning, (courtesy of Ball) and this brochure includes several delicious looking recipes and tips. Additionally, I have thousands of 1.50 off coupons for Ball jars and 2.00 off their 'Canning Discovery Kit'. Yes, you heard me right: thousands. If you have a church group or civic organization that could put these coupons and brochures to good use, please let me know. I'll have them at the City Market at the Market Central booth - please stop by and pick up a handful, or a gross! Or email me, and I'll rendezvous to get them in your hands.

Thank you, thank you! and cheers to all you home canners out there!

Kathy Kildea
Market Central
P.O. Box 6459
Charlottesville, VA 22906
434.531.3957
marketcentral@bnsi.net
www.marketcentralonline.org


7.
Virginia Food Security Summit – Connecting Our Farms, Food, Health and the Environment
Save-the-Date – Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Alumni Hall, 211, Emmet St. South
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA

Hosted by UVa, Virginia Food Systems Council, VA Cooperative Extension, VA Tech, and Washington and Lee University
www.virginia.edu/ien/foodsummit2011
email:VAFoodSummit2011@gmail.com


8.
September 3 – 4, 2011
Reclaiming Our Natural Connections
and Building Community Resiliency with Jon Young

Sat. 9am - Sun. 3pm/ Free Evening Talk Friday Sept. 2 @6pm
Have you heard of The Last Child in the Woods and Nature Deficit Disorder? Are you curious about ways to increase the health and vitality of children and families, especially ways to unplug from media and get outside? Do you wonder about how to build and sustain community? If so, come to an evening talk and weekend workshop that promotes connecting with nature and community building, through timeless indigenous approaches such as storytelling, relationship and sustainability. Hear about an international movement that looks at ways to connect with nature and people, to live in balance with modern culture and the outdoors. Living Earth School is thrilled to bring our long time mentor Jon Young to Charlottesville, to share his inspiring words and vision. It is truly a not to miss weekend. Jon’s work and the work of The Living Earth School, is the kind of work that builds hope and creates a better place for our children and their children. This vision not only gives us the resilience to survive but to thrive in the years to come.
Our weekend is held at beautiful Camp Albemarle nestled among river, field and mountains. The program is held for adults and families are welcome, as there will be a children’s program for ages 5-8 and 9+ (space for children is limited).
Cost is a sliding scale of $200-$250 per adult, $75-$125 per child (food, camping and instruction included).

Jon Young is a national treasure and leader in the field of deep nature connection. His "Cultural Mentoring" approach to developing deep nature connection, holistic human awareness and advance peacemaking skills has spawned over 100 local deep nature connection organizations and initiatives in the U.S. and Europe. Inspired by his childhood mentoring with famous tracker and author Tom Brown, Jr., Jon is co-author of a new book on nature connection mentoring, "Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature," and currently works at the Regenerative Design Institute on the RDNA program. Visit his website at http://www.regenerativedesign.org
For more information, see: http://www.livingearthva.com/adult.html#john_young


9.
Stone Barns to Santa Cruz: The Role of Institutions in Local Food
5th Annual Local Food Project at Airlie Conference
Monday August 8 (all day) - Airle Conference Center, Warrenton, VA.
Harvest Dinner and Dialogue - Sunday August 7 at 7:00 pm

This year's conference will concentrate on the important contributions institutions can make in advancing a healthier food system. The conference will highlight successful models of institutional farm projects, food purchasing, farmer training and community outreach.
Featured presenters at the Stone Barns to Santa Cruz conference include Jill Isenbarger and Jack Algiere of the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture (Pocantico Hills, New York) and Patricia Allen and Christof Bernau of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Breakout sessions throughout the day will focus on a range of local food topics with applications to almost any institutional setting.
See: http://www.airlie.com/dine/images/LFP_CONF_BROCHURE.pdf to VIEW CONFERENCE BROCHURE WITH PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS & SCHEDULE!
For more information contact: Pablo Elliott, Director at 540-347-1300, ext 3163 or pelliott@airlie.org


10.
Appalachian Gothic Farm to Fork Gala - to benefit Appalachian Sustainable Development
Bristol Motor Speedway, July 27, 5:00 - 9:00 pm

Join us for a farmer's market under the stars featuring the creativity of raising, cooking and sampling fantasic, locally grown foods and regional artistic creations. Connect with local farmers and regional artists, purchase locally grown foods and hand-spun artwork, taste magnificent tapas prepared by Chef George, and enjoy great wines and local brews...all for a great cause!
Tickets are $20 if you prepay. Tickets are $25 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased at http://www.asdevelop.org or you can call us at 276-623-1121. Dress is casual.


11.
Mad City Chickens - a one time movie screening
Sunday July 17, 2:00pm - Byrd Theater, 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221

Advanced tickets on sale NOW! Seating is limited for this one-time Richmond showing. Tickets will only be available at the door on a first come, first served basis.
Mad City Chickens is a sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical look at the people who keep urban chickens in their backyards. From chicken experts and authors to a rescued landfill hen or an inexperienced family that decides to take the poultry plunge—and even a mad professor and giant hen taking to the streets—it’s a humorous and heartfelt trip through the world of backyard chickendom.
Please join us after the show for a Post-Movie Party and Book Signing by Pat Foreman, Author of City Chicks, Chicken Tractor and numerous other books. 4:30 - 6:00pm Ellwood’s Café 4 N. Thompson Street
The ordinances in Richmond and surrounding localities are outdated and unfair to folks who wish to raise a few hens (no roosters) in urban localities for food and fun. Join us and help us to spread the word about our wonderful egg-laying friends!


12.
Cob Over Building Workshop Saturday in Roanoke
Join Us This Saturday, July 16th Learn how and help us build a community oven, made from cob.
We’ll be leaving at 9:00am from the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op parking lot (behind the store) and carpooling to Charlie and Sonia’s permaculture homestead. Learn how to do a silt test, the many uses and types of cob, make your own brick and help build an oven. All are welcome, you can share with your friends.
Optional: stay for pizza after the workshop! Returning: 1:00pm, back to the parking lot. (returning later if opting for pizza)

More details: http://katuahschool.com/2011/07/04/cob-building-workshop/


13.
Common Good City Farm in DC - Upcoming Events
Farm-to-Street Party
July/16/2011
Celebrate local food at Washington DC’s first ever Farm-to-Street Party! Enjoy scrumptious dishes made with ingredients from local farms, local craft beer and wine. Engage with local entrepreneurs, chefs and non-profit organizations.
Growing Gardens Workshop Drip...drip - Drip Irrigation for the Patio & Small Garden
July/16/2011
Saturday, July 16: Drip...drip - Drip Irrigation for the Patio & Small Garden. 8:00am-10:00am. A hands on workshop for your own drip irrigation system.

SEE THE WEBSITE BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

http://www.commongoodcityfarm.org/events


14.
Do you want to be involved in making Charlottesville-Albemarle a more livable community?
Join the Many Plans, One Community Livability Partnership!
We are currently forming a Livability Partnership, made up of representatives from a wide array of community groups, to provide input into the planning process.
Please find a letter with detailed information about the Partnership as well as a sign-up form attached, or on our website: http://1-community.org/PDF/Partnership%20Invite%20Lttr%206.22.pdf

If you have any questions about Many Plans, One Community please let us know by contacting Summer Frederick, Project Manager, at sfrederick@tjpdc.org or Mandy Burbage, Planner II, at aburbage@tjpdc.org.



15.
We own 14 acres in Rappahannock County, Va., with a spacious 4BR house built in
1907 and a log cabin built in 1790. Located at the foot of Old Rag Mountain, a mile from Shenandoah National Park and right on the banks of the Hughes River, which originates in the Park.

We’re looking to rent the land, house, and/or cabin land to like-minded people who are into sustainable gardening, homesteading, healthy living and mutual benefit. We are oriented to flexible, affordable terms and are up for any deal as long as it’s win-win.

Property is very rural and magical, and conveniently situated midway between Washington DC and Charlottesville VA -- just about 1.25 hours from each. It
includes:
• 2+ acres of farming/ gardening bottomland (some needs clearing)
• Hillside land suitable for fruit trees and shade crops
• 4BR/1.5BA house, 2500 sf, with 2 porches and a large basement
• 2-over-2 log cabin with recently renovated kitchen and bathroom
• Excellent well water
• Large bamboo grove

Besides being ideal for sustainable growing, this is a wonderful place for writers and musicians, with a world-class resident muse who has already inspired myriad songwriters and writers. Nearby towns of Sperryville and Little Washington are hotspots for music, writing, live theater, great food.

If interested contact Kay at kk@infowomen.org.