Upcoming Events

Greetings all,

Below is an amazing collection of upcoming permaculture, sustainability and farming events in the central Virginia bioregion, including some wonderful upcoming classes and workshops this weekend.  If you know anyone else that would like to sign up for this newsletter, they can sign up here.  If you have an announcement, email us at blueridgepermaculture@gmail.com for the next monthly e-newsletter. Click here to view this email as a webpage. 

Also – check out the BRPN Facebook page and feel free to post: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blueridgepermaculturenetwork/
 
Best,
Christine, Terry and the BRPN team
www.blueridgepermaculture.net  

1.
Mushroom Growing Workshops Spring 2014 at Sharondale Farm

                        

Growing Garden Mushrooms~ Saturday April 19^th.  $75.

Learn simple methods for growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms as garden allies on straw and compost.  Hands-on activities and demonstrations include:  preparing materials by composting, pasteurizing and fermenting; and inoculation methods for several species of mushrooms including: Garden Giant, Oyster, and Almond Portobello. Limited spaces available.  9a-12p. Sharondale Farm, Cismont, VA.

Mushrooms, Molds, and Mycorrhizae:  a Permaculture of the Fungi.  May 30th-June 1^st.

Mark is joined by Tradd Cotter of Mushroom Mountain, and Angel Shockley, and David Via for a three day comprehensive introduction to incorporating Kingdom Fungi in ecological design.    

$425-500, sliding scale.  Sharondale Farm, Cismont, VA.     (http://www.sharondalefarm.com/workshops)  Also, find mycopermaculture and mycoremediation classes offered by Mark and Tradd at this year's Telluride Mushroom Festival in August.

for more info contact Mark Jones:  info@sharondalefarm.com;  p: 434-296-3301

2.

Sunday 5/4 - 10/26 Whole Living From the Ground Up

Two Sundays per month at Forrest Green Farm, 2317 Evergreen Rd., Louisa

Learn by growing, harvesting, nourishing and healing with herbs and vegetables as you make them an everyday part of your life.  This is a hands-on course in both gardening and herbal medicine skills.  Twelve classes (2 Sundays per month).  $600 + materials fee.  Learn more at http://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/classes-events/whole-living-year-1/

3.
Virginia Native Plant Society Annual Native Plant Sale

Sunday, April 27^th, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

The Barn at Ivy Creek Natural Area

Choose from over 50 species of native perennials, trees, shrubs, wetland plants.

Large selection of spring wildflowers and ground covers including trillium, Virginia bluebell, wild columbine, spring beauty, wild geranium, Mayapple, heuchera, Jacob's ladder, wild ginger, and ferns. Later season species include turtlehead, purple coneflower, cardinal flower, asters, and more.  Most perennials: $4; most trees and shrubs: $6. 10% discount to VNPS members

All proceeds support Jefferson Chapter's educational and conservation efforts.

http://vnps.org/jefferson/?event=native-plant-sale

4.

Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit, Nourishing Our Cities’ Future 

Where: Lynchburg, Virginia - Holiday Inn & Lynchburg Grows

When: Tuesday April 15 & Wednesday April 16, 2014

Arriving Early? There will be a movie screening of Dan Susman’s documentary film:

Growing Cities-A Film About Urban Farming in America Monday evening, April, 14, 2014

For more information including, registration and lodging please go to

http://events.SignUp4.com/UrbanAgSummit2014

hosted by the Virginia Food System Council, Lynchburg Grows, Va Farm Bureau, Virginia Cooperative Extension & Virginia Tech

5.

Organic Orcharding 101 With Michael Phillips at Vintage Virginia apples 

Saturday, May 3, 2014 - 9:00am to 4:00pm

Join us for a comprehensive exploration of orchard health strategies that make disease and insect challenges doable for organic growers. The day will consist of a fun mix of lectures and hands-on time with trees, with many opportunities to ask questions of Michael Phillips, author of the award winning book The Holistic Orchard, and leading expert in the field of organic orcharding. Lunch is included, and there will be opportunities for cider-sampling as well. Copies of Michael's books and new dvd will be available for purchase.  $130.
www.albemarleciderworks.com/news/workshop/organic-orcharding-101-michael-phillips

6.  Thanks to our friends at Transition Cville for many of these events below!

Saturday 4/5 or Sunday 4/6 Fruit Grafting and Propagation Intensive Workshop

9am-5pm at Living Energy Farm, 1022 Bibb Store Road, Louisa VA

Participants will learn how to prepare fruit tree seeds for planting, how to make root cuttings, and how to graft. Numerous propagation techniques will be demonstrated.  Participants will learn about growing disease resistant fruit and nuts in Virginia without pesticides and fungicides. The focus will be on techniques that can be used at home with a minimum of tools and expense.  Each participant will take home five fruit trees that they graft themselves.  Rootstock and scions (grafting wood) will be provided, as well as a grafting knife.  This is a one day recurring seminar, so choose either day.  Registration contact: Stephanie Hartwick, livingenergyfarm@gmail.com, 434-282-6470.  Cost: $50.  Note:  It's a long walk down a driveway to the house, near a half mile. Plan on an extra 20 minutes travel time. They will have vehicular assistance for anyone in need.

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Saturday 4/5 - Sunday 4/6 Virginia Power Shift

9am Saturday to 6pm Sunday at Virginia Commonwealth University, 821 W Franklin St, Richmond

From mountaintop removal in western Virginia, to sea level rise in coastal Virginia, all are affected by climate change. This weekend is your chance to join hundreds of other students creating a new generation of leaders in our state.  The Virginia Student Environmental Coalition is partnering with the Virginia Student Power Network to put on Virginia Power Shift 2014.  Hundreds of students will be gathering in Richmond for two days of workshops, trainings, assemblies, and actions designed to build power and form connections between movements that concern all Virginia students.  Contact Emilly Heffling at emily@chesapeakeclimate.org.  http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=365&Itemid=48&year=2014&month=04&day=05&title=virginia-power-shift&uid=2c07e359de399ed8f547ca41f0171871&catids=6|1|2

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Saturday 4/5  Heritage Day at Graves Mountain Lodge

8am-4pm at Graves Mountain Lodge, 

Educational demos and exhibits will be available to teach kids about our natural surroundings, with live snakes and fish on display. A section of the Rose River will be roped off for kids 12 and under with separate areas for adult fishing.   Trout Unlimited, the VA Game Department, and other groups will talk about habitat preservation and stream monitoring and there will be games, competitions, and other activities for all ages. The event is free, with free parking.  http://www.pecva.org/events/heritage-day-at-graves-mountain-lodge

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Saturday 4/5 Backyard Native and Invasive Plants in Central Virginia

9:30-noon at the Louisa County Library

In this third of three workshops, participants will learn about native plants for central Virginia gardens, how to select, plant, and care for them. Also on the agenda is a session on invasive plant species including what are they, why you want to control them, and how to control them. Each workshop is self-contained and does not require you to attend all three to gain gardening knowledge.  Free and open to the public.  Walk-up attendees will be admitted only if space is still available. http://louisacvmg.org/events.html

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Saturday 4/5 Spring Gardening Expo

Fifth Season Gardening Co., 900 Preston Ave.

Workshops on garden planning, aquaponics, food fermentation and more! They'll have local DIY experts on hand, serve refreshments and have a storewide sale.

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Sunday 4/6 Historic Tree Symposium:  Old Growth Forests and Presidential Estates

1-5pm at St. Anne's Belfield School, 2132 Ivy Rd.

Speakers include Dean Norton of Mt. Vernon, Peter J. Hatch of Monticello, Tom Dierauf of Montpelier, and Joan Maloof of the Old Growth Forest Network.  Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door.  http://charlottesvilleareatreestewards.org/

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Sunday 4/6 Open House & Roundtable Discussion

Casa Alma, 911 Nassau St.

2-4pm Come by just to say hello and see what's been happening at Casa Alma.

4-5:30pm Join the first in a monthly series of discussions on the Aims and Means of the Catholic Worker, starting with the theme of "economics" and discussing unequal distribution of wealth, usury and investments, debt and poverty.  Share  experiences with these topics, explore ideas together, and talk about "living in a different way." Questions? cvillecw@gmail.com

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Wednesday 4/9 Cville TimeBank Orientation

5pm at Main Street Market, 418 Market St.

See similar listing above.  http://cvilletimebank.com/get-involved/

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Wednesday 4/9 - Sunday 4/13 Tom Tom Founders Festival

Varying locations, check the Tom Tom schedule at http://www.tomtomfest.com/2014/schedule

Tom Tom is a spring festival of music, art, and innovation in downtown Charlottesville. Talks, concerts, competitions, installations, and parties take over the town with a message of innovation and entrepreneurship.  Some highlights that may appeal to Transitioners:

*Summit:  Branding the Piedmont's Food Identity, 4/10

*Panel:  Flipping the Switch - Solar Innovators Spark Changes on the Grid, 4/11

*Keynote:  Sandy Reisky and Cynthia Adams:  What is the Energy Ethic? 4/11

*Keynote:  Eric Siegel - Behind the Maker Revolution, 4/12

*Fleaville, 4/12

*Craft Cville Multi-State Expo, 4/12

*Panel:  Virginia's Craft Beer Industry, 4/12

*JM Stock Provisioning:  The Art of Butchering, 4/12

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Monday 4/14 - Sunday 4/27 Earth Week!

Lots of great events (some listed here), with more scheduled each day.  Check out the complete line up at http://www.earthweek.org/

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Monday 4/14 Film: The Economics of Happiness

7pm at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, 414 E. Main Street

Would you like more free time, less stress, a more fulfilling, secure job, to see family and friends more?  Come and see The Economics of Happiness at the Tea Bazaar.  This inspiring movie touches on the challenges that we face and then introduces the beautiful traditional culture in Ladakh.  The film shows initiatives around the world where towns are localizing jobs, growing food and creating happier communities. Free.  Sponsored by Transition Charlottesville Albemarle and Cville TimeBank. Questions? Contact Sally Bastian, 295-2612. Invite your friends on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/events/230325210485678/

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Monday 4/14 Woodear Exhibit

4/14-4/25 at The Bridge PAI, 209 Monticello Rd.

A tree is a biological network: roots pulling water and nutrients, leaves producing good with sunlight, and phloem and xylem moving water and nutrients throughout the structure. Woodear extends the dynamic qualities of this biological network into the digital network. Sensors affixed to a tree stream data on the estate of its environment-- light, temperature, pressure, and wind. This live data is merged with photos and recordings of the tree's immediate surroundings into a generative installation. http://www.thebridgepai.com/calendar/

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Tuesday 4/15 Edible Landscaping Volunteer Work Day

9am-3pm, 361 Spirit Ridge Lane, Afton

Have  fun working at the nursery and receive a credit of $10.00 hour. Type of labor to be determined. You will need to bring pruners and don't forget your gardening gloves, and make sure you dress for the weather. No one under 18. Please bring a bag lunch. You must pre-register as space is limited. Call (434)361-9134 or email info@ediblelandscaping.com.

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Tuesday 4/15 350 Central Virginia Monthly Meeting

6:30-8:30pm at Charlottesville Friends Meetinghouse, 1104 Forest St.

350 CVA, a chapter of international 350.org, meets on the third Tuesday of each month.  Join them this month for a family style meeting. There will be children activities for all ages so bring the kids and a potluck item. They will work advancing their petition to the Albemarle School Board encouraging them to put solar panels on our schools.

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Wednesday 4/16 and Saturday 4/19 Community Bikes

5-7pm Wed. and 2-5pm Sat. at Community Bikes, 405 Avon St.

Community Bikes will help you tune up your bike or get you on a recycled bike. Costs are very affordable. They charge $5/hr to help you work on your bikes with their tools.

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Wednesday 4/16 Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival

7:30pm at Dickinson Performing Arts Center, PVCC

Wild and Scenic On Tour brings together a selection of films that tell a story about our planet, our beautiful and precious wildlands, and the people of the communities who love and defend them.  They open our eyes and hearts to fantastic experiences in remarkable places.  They beckon us towards action, highlight issues, and provide solutions.  Films include "Ryan's Story", "Right Now:  Living with Mountain Lions", and "Sacred Headwaters".  $10.  You can purchase tickets in advance at http://www.wildvirginia.org/

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Thursday 4/17 Brown Bag Lunch:  The Environmental Status of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement

12-1pm at the Central Library, 201 E. Market St.

Nick DiPasquale, Director of the Chesapeake Bay Program Office of the EPA, will discuss the status of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement and what to expect from EPA in 2014.  Hosted by the Rivanna Conservation Society.  http://rivannariver.org/calendar.html

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Saturday 4/19 Fitness Challenge and Fun Run

8am at Venable School, 406 14th St. NW

Join Charlottesville Parks and Recreation for this fun fitness challenge. Get your family and friends moving by running or walking this enjoyable 2 mile course with some added challenges. All fitness levels are encouraged to participate. Funds raised will be donated to the City Elementary Schoolyard Gardens. Early registration will guarantee a t-shirt.  More info. at  http://www.cityschoolyardgarden.org/get-involved/events/

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Saturday 4/19 Rivanna River Cleanups

10am-noon at 3 locations

Help clean up the Rivanna River! This cleanup will take place simultaneously at three locations: Hampton Mill, Meadow Creek, and Woodbrook Lagoons. Trash bags, gloves, water, snacks and some tools will be provided. They ask that you wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, closed toed shoes, and a hat.  Register and get more information at http://rivannariver.org/

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Saturday 4/19 Plant Walk

1-3pm at local park to be announced

The Elderberry's Heather Wetzel, AHG, will be your guide for identifying medicinal and edible plants.  Free. http://www.elderberryherbals.com/calendar/

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Sunday 4/20 Build A House for $500 and Up: The Guide to Underground Housing

11am-7pm at Ivy Creek Natural Area Educational Building

This all-day course will show you how to get light, air, and good views; how to cut your material costs up to 90%; how to build greenhouses into your home; how to construct build-in root cellars, wine cellars, and fallout shelters; how to use solar energy effectively; how to build into hillsides and solve drainage problems; plus how to handle zoning and building codes.  If you are thinking of building your own livable, pleasant, light and airy, and tuned-into-nature home then this course is for you.  RSVP at 914-806-4811.  Limited space available.  Free (donations accepted).  Contact undergroundhousing@gmail.com for more information.  http://undergroundhousing.wordpress.com/

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Tuesday 4/22 Child Care:  Cost, Quality,   Consequences?

12-1:15pm at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 4th St. NW

The League of Women Voters presents this Charlottesville Area Community Dialogue, with Kristin Szakos, Charlottesville City Council Member, and Gail Esterman, Manager, Child Care Quality, Children, Youth & Family Services.  A meet & greet will begin at 11:30 (rescheduled from a March snow day).  http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/calendar/17279-league-of-women-voters-child-care/

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Friday 4/25 Transition's "Fire Your Dryer" Pop-up Clothesline Party

5-7pm at the Central Fountain on the Downtown Mall

We're holding a Clothesline Party to launch our campaign to encourage more line drying.  We'll have BENT Improv, the Green Grannies, clothespin games for kids, a raffle to win an umbrella drying rack, and the chance to make your own laundry soap.  Come by and discover how easy it is to harness free, renewable energy!

 http://www.transitioncville.org/fireyourdryer/

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Saturday 4/26 Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority Public Tours 

10am or 1pm at 695 Moores Creek Lane 

Ever wonder where your wastewater goes? Come to one of two public tours of the Moores Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant to learn more about this vital community system. 

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Monday 4/28 Transition Town Potluck

7-8:30 at the Eco Village, 480E. Rio Rd., Lochlyn House

Join Transition Charlottesville Albemarle for an informal meal and conversation about all things sustainable in our community.  Share  news about your upcoming events, projects, personal challenges and more.  If you can, bring your own place setting and a dish to share.  All are welcome! 

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Saturday 5/3 Solar Water Heating Workshop

9am-5pm at 20 East Gay St., Harrisonburg

If you're interested in learning more about the basics of solar hot water systems, join this session put on by the VA Cooperative Extension's Bioenergy group.  During the session, Jeff Gilbert, of Azimuth Solar Training, will provide an overview including introductory information on assessing solar resources, siting constraints, design options, assessment tools, and system economics.  Space limited, so please register in advance:  http://www.eventbrite.com/e/solar-water-heating-introductory-workshop-registration-10908781459?aff=es2&rank=3&sid=324e559ca93911e3be52123139104db1

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Sunday 5/4 Earthworks:  How to Transform Your Land into a Paradise

11am-7pm at Ivy Creek Natural Area Educational Building

This all-day course (8 hours) will give you the tools and the confidence to create natural harmonic patterns in your landscapes which result in permanently abundant, resilient ecosystems. Reconnect with nature, surround yourself with beautiful aesthetics, and achieve food security by just letting nature take its course — effortlessly producing fruits, vegetables and protein year-after-year. Learn how to make your landscape work for you.  RSVP at 914-806-4811.  Limited Space Available.  Free (donations accepted).  Contact earthworkscville@gmail.com.  http://earthworkscville.wordpress.com/

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Help 350 Central Virginia get solar power installed on Albemarle Schools!

Sign their petition and help move our community closer to a sustainable future:

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/solar-power-for-albemarle-schools

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Volunteer Help Needed for Food Not Bombs 

Wanted:  Volunteer drivers to assist Food not Bombs in providing food to the needy in Charlottesville.  Each Sunday they hold a luncheon meal with our neighbors at Tonsler Park and provide produce to help low income families who are food insecure.  They have the produce, the vehicle to deliver it to the park and the hungry people at the park. They need your assistance to make this weekly event successful:  4-8 folks that will agree to volunteer once a month to help our community! Email scpaddler@gmail.com for more details or call Dave R at 434 826 9505. 

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Make your voice heard:  Route 29 Solutions

An advisory panel is working on how to allocate $200 million to relieve congestion on Route 29.  They need to reach consensus by early May, and public comments can really make a difference in the final solutions they pass along to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.  Let them know what you think at:  

http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/route_29_feedback.asp

7.

Living Earth School – Education programs near Charlottesville

There is still some space for the following programs:

-Red Arrow Boys- Saturdays 3/22, 4/19, 5/1

-Woodland Girls- Saturdays 3/22, 4/19, 5/17

-Charlottesville Homeschool Nature Studies- 8 Wednesdays in the spring

-Richmond/Goochland Homeschool program- 4 Fridays in spring

-Girls Rights of Passage- Moon Tribe 5/23-25

-Boys Rights of passage memorial day weekend (call if interested)

To learn more about these programs please visit us online.  Click here

8 Gifts From Nature series with Living Earth School

Tuesday evenings, 4/1, 4/15, 4/22, 5/6, 5/8 (Thursday), and 5/13

7-9pm at Lochlyn House, 480 E. Rio Rd. (Future home of Ecovillage Charlottesville)

This class series explores the 8 shields nature-based map, which represents the wisdom and teachings of elders from around the world, utilizing patterns that lead to connection with people and nature. This series is for parents, mentors, teachers, community organizers, permaculturists, and anyone that wants to live a more conscious life connected to nature, community and themselves. Each night will look at one of the 8 elements and break it down looking at the different aspects and how it applies to nature, community, individuals, learning, etc. Cost: $10-15 sliding scale donation to be used for scholarships for LES programs. For more info and to register, contact Living Earth School, livingearthva@yahoo.com.

9.

Mushroom Cultivation Skillshare near Floyd, VA

Sunday, April 6 from 2:30-5:00 at 351 Hideaway Lane to learn about mushroom cultivation with Adam Fisher.  Adam will teach us how to grow oyster mushrooms on straw and other agricultural wastes, demonstrate how winecap mushrooms can be grown on wood chips that are used for things like mulching paths and asparagus, discuss shiitake mushroom cultivation, and present a permaculture approach to growing oysters on Tree of Heaven logs(!).  Folks will have a chance to plug logs with oyster spawn and then take them home!  This should be a good one! 

To get to 351 Hideaway Lane, go past houses, pasture, and more houses until you see the green gate on the left.  That's your stop!  If you're interested in attending the mushroom workshop, please RSVP to ezekiel.fugate@gmail.com so we have an idea of how many people to expect.  We're asking folks to bring corded drills, drill bits (not 100% sure of the size yet), and extension cords if they have them.  This will make the plugging go much more quickly.   After the skillshare, there will be a farmer-friendly potluck at Riverstone Farm (just around the corner) at 5:30 to kick off the season of farmer potluck socials. 

10.
Raising Chick for Eggs &/or Meat Production Workshop 

Blacksburg, VA - Saturday April 12, 10 am – 3 pm

This workshop, presented by Local Concepts LLC with Glade Road Growing, offers everything you ever wanted to know about raising chicks for egg and/or meat production.  We will tour Glade Road Growing’s chicken production and view a variety of equipment used both for homesteading and small-scale business production.  Topics covered include everything from buying birds, brooding, housing, fencing, nutrition, lighting, diseases, eggs, and more.  Also enjoy a farm-fresh style lunch of local foods prepared by Fare Palate. 

The workshop will take place at Glade Road Growing FArm, 2351 Glade Road, Blacksburg, VA.

Registration for the workshop costs $65. Click here for online registration.

For more Information contact Christy Gabbard at Christine.gabbard@gmail.com or 540-558-8010
Visit the workshop facebook event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/763575343653179/

11.

The Community Resilience Challenge is coming! During the month of May, join us in taking collective action to save water, conserve energy, grow food, and build community as part of the Community Resilience Challenge! Start planning your actions now, and click here for project ideas and to register!

Transition US is partnering with Spring of Sustainability (SOS), a 9-week series of online conversations with sustainability leaders. SOS launches Earth Day with a 12-hour telesummit with Rob Hopkins, Bill McKibben, & more. Registration coming soon!

12.

Allegheny Mountain School – Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind

http://facebook.com/vsdbeducationalfarm

For more information contact: Emily Melvin

                                           

13.

From Appalachian Voices:  the Freedom Industries chemical spill in January near Charleston, W.Va., left 300,000 people without safe tap water. Less than a month later, one of Duke Energy’s coal ash dumps in North Carolina spilled into the Dan River, resulting in the third largest coal-ash disaster in the U.S. Just a week later, a pipe at a Patriot Coal facility in West Virginia broke, oozing toxic coal slurry into a tributary of the Kanawha River.

Because of these three spills, we have already depleted our yearly water testing budget and we still have a lot of work to do. Please help us raise at least $10,000 to continue testing in West Virginia, North Carolina and throughout Appalachia in order to protect citizens' rights to clean drinking water and clean rivers. We need your help today. Help us hold polluters accountable and continue to build a movement that values clean water and healthy communities -- donate to our water testing fund today.

14.

Sacred Plant Traditions courses in Charlottesville

 Six Week Intro to Herbal Medicine

      Tuesdays, April 15 – May 20;  Day 10am - noon, Evening 6:30 – 8:30pm

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.  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 $250 (Deposit: $50). Fee includes all materials & text.                  Register Now

Eighth Annual Gaia Gathering for Women

May 2 - 4, 2014

Welcome to our Eighth Annual Gaia Gathering. Gaia is the Greek name for the Primordial Goddess of the earth. Today this word represents the truth that our Planet is our Mother who is alive and pulsing and beating and swaying with the rhythms of the universe.

This weekend fills quickly as we are limited to only 100 Women. Fee for the weekend is $295. This includes Friday night to Sunday afternoon classes and activities, rustic lodging or camping and four gourmet, organic meals. We pride ourselves on wild, organic, outrageously wonderful food. From nettle soup, fermented beets, carrots and ginger to damiana brownies….well, just extraordinary. So while most other events will charge the fee and then food and lodging costs, we are truly working towards accessibility through our all-inclusive fee.

http://www.sacredplanttraditions.com/gaia.html

Karyn Sanders - June 27 - 29 - Indigenous Wisdom Teachings 

Click here for more information on Karyn's Class 

Margi Flint - Aug 1-3 - Diagnostic tools and Clinical Pearls

Click here for more information on Margi's class

Take a look at some incredible work UpS and Executive Director, Susan Leopold,  are doing in the realms of the Aralia (Ginseng) Family.

http://wvpublic.org/post/ginseng-tv-show-features-questionable-practices

The Herb Bus is  Coming!  Street Medic Training       

How exciting to have Lorna Mauney - Brodek and her unbelievably cool, compassionate and revolutionary Herbalista  Bus come to our school.

 Setting up and running a street clinic

         Wednesday, April 23 - 9am – 4pm

 Herb Bus in Action  -  Volunteers needed to be clients

                 Thursday, April 24 0 9am – 4pm

  More info on the Herb Bus

15.

 The 7th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference: Powering Up will convene more than 1,000 farm to cafeteria practitioners and stakeholders in Austin, Texas, April 15-18, for three days of inspiring field trips, workshops, speakers and networking. Attendees will include food service professionals, farmers, educators, youth leaders, policy makers, non-profit advocates, state/federal agency professionals, entrepreneurs, public health professionals and others who are working to source local food for institutional cafeterias and foster a culture of food and agricultural literacy across America. Register by March 4 to receive a special, early-bird rate.

16.

April 19  Radical Roots Plant Sale & Farm Tour Keezletown, Va.  Tour a 5 acre market garden with water catchment swales, food forest, permanenet raised beds and of course an abundant plant nursery.  10a.m.-4p.m. with free farm tour at 2:30

Please visit our website www.radicalrootsfarm.com for more information.

17.

New Branch Farm is looking for farm help 3 mornings a week:  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (8am to 11/11:30 am) for total of 10 hours a week.  We are a small farm growing intensively on 1 acre and selling via a CSA.  Our CSA has 3 short seasons:  Spring share is April - June, Fall share is September - November, and Winter share is December-January.   

This year I am looking for a farm worker for the spring season:  Start March to week of June 30 (16-18 weeks).  Also looking for a farm worker for fall season:  Start week of August 18 to week of November 24 (15 weeks).  The pay is $8 an hour.  Farm worker would help with all aspects of field work:  planting, weeding, harvesting, etc.  Wednesday morning is CSA harvest and packing for afternoon delivery. If you are interested in learning more about the position, please email me at newbranchfarm@gmail.com

2014 Spring CSA – New Branch Farm

The spring CSA will run 10 weeks:  April 16 to June 18 

Shares are delivered Wednesdays to 5th Season Gardening, 900 Preston Avenue, Cville, Pickup is from 1:30 to 6:30 pm

Price is $250 (includes 2.5% sales tax)

Please see the spring crop calendar for more details about what I am planting for the spring.

Stephanie Meyers

New Branch Farm

www.newbranchfarm.com

18.

Kites & Critters: a day at the farm on Bells Lane, Staunton VA.
Sunday, April 13th from 1-5pm 

See the conservation and farming that go on in Staunton’s agricultural district. Kids (young and old) can fly a kite, release a trout, plant a tree, go on a habitat walk, and  pet a lamb. Hosted at the Moore Farm on Bells Lane, the event is organized by Valley Conservation Council along with many partners. Download the poster.   Directions and event details here.  For more information, contact sara@valleyconservation.org or call 540.886.3541.

DIRECTIONS: Please access Bells Lane from Woodrow Wilson Parkway (Rt. 262), not Commerce Rd.  From Rt. 262 turn south on Bells Lane. Once on Bells Lane, travel less than a mile to the top of the hill and turn right into the first driveway (at black fencing and pillars).  The entrance will be clearly marked.

RAIN DATE: Sunday, May 4

A Day at the Farm is funded  in part by grants from the Pure Water Forum, Cadence, Inc., USFS Urban and Community Forestry Program, and the Keith Campbell Foundation.

19.

August 22–24: Women's Herbal Conference, Hebron, NH. Herbal Workshops & Book Signing

20.

Nelson County's first Trade School for children - Position description: 

We are looking for the perfect person which to provide a living space. You must be willing to work a 20 hour week on a small backyard developing farm on Nelson County's first Trade School for children. An experienced farm hand is preferred. Efficient working couples are welcomed for this position as well.  We will be working with light farm work to hard labor.

  Starting Mid March to Mid April ending early to mid September. Dates somewhat flexible. 

Call Kim for more information:

434-465-8004 Kim Earhart sofiasofunny@gmail.com

21.

Nelson County's first Trade School for children

Abundant Seed Trade School -  Ages  7-13

Learning day      9-3

Spring Program 2014

To start the day, children will have hands-on experience learning sustainable farming (and regenerative) practices.  In the afternoon, our very special “educator of the day” (who has spent their life honoring and growing their special life skill) will come to teach an afternoon class for the children.  This spring we will be working in academic blocks. The morning session focuses on teaching such skills that allow children to know from where and how their food comes into creation; the afternoon session will focus on helping children to find their inner creative passions through learning. By combining the hands on morning and the academic afternoon, this gives your child a rich, balanced, integrative learning experience, nurturing a solid confidence in their own competence that will last a lifetime.  

Please email us for a more in-depth summary of class descriptions and the finer details for registering.

The Abundant Seed Family,

Kim Greg Sofia and Zoe Smith

434-465-8004

Kim Earhart sofiasofunny@gmail.com

22.

FREE "Backyard Gardening Workshop" we're hosting at the Louisa County Library starting

Backyard Native and Invasive Plants in Central Virginia

Saturday, April 5, 2014: 9:30 am to noon.

Participants will learn about native plants for central Virginia gardens, how to select, plant, and care for them. Also on the agenda is a session on invasive plant species including what are they, why you want to control them, and how to control them.

23.

Charlottesville Permaculture Farm: Studio Apartment for Rent

with Optional Work-Exchange and Workshop Studio Available

SilverSage Farm-House-Studios: Center for Transformational Studies,

a 1991 classic-styled Victorian house located in Charlottesville, VA, has its first level’s private furnished studio apartment available immediately. Terms are optional, offering either full rent or partial rent that includes a farming work-exchange agreement on its surrounding property and vegetable gardens. This charming, newly enlarged and renovated apartment's full monthly rent is $800 that can be reduced respectively within a range (from $710 to as low as $400 a month for 2- 8 hours of work-exchange per week considering level of expertise, quality and pace of work exhibited). Should you choose a work-exchange option, you will be collaborating with our team of homeowners and garden managers in crop-sharing and implementing ideas for making the Silver Sage Farm-House-Studios a more regenerative place to live and learn.

Please contact: Linda (434) 296-1338 or linda@naturewellnessprograms.com

24.

Project GROWS Announces 2014 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County. 

STAUNTON, Va- Project GROWS, a non-profit farm located in Augusta County, recently announced that it is offering the community another season of fresh, local produce through its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program in 2014. Project GROWS is partially funded through a grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and a multi-year grant from the Augusta Health Foundation. Project GROWS is a host organization of the Allegheny Mountain School Phase II fellowship. Members who sign up for the CSA program purchase a “share” of vegetables and receive weekly baskets straight from the Project GROWS farm for 18 weeks starting on Tuesday, June 3rd. The CSA program supports Project GROWS’ mission to improve the overall health of children and youth in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County through nutrition education and increased access to healthy food.

For more information contact Project GROWS (540) 480-0371 or visit online www.ProjectGROWS.org and https://www.facebook.com/ProjectGrows. 

25.

From PDC grad Lauren Samay:

We Are Star Children's first music video premiere for the new album (With Arrows)-

please enjoy and share away!!  : )

http://www.c-ville.com/we-are-star-children-video-premiere-for-die-alone/#.UyirMxzqSPQ

26.

APRIL 8 CHARLOTTESVILLE LUNCHEON

POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND THE TRUE VALUE OF SOLAR

The JRGBC is pleased to welcome Anthony Smith the President and CEO of Secure Futures who will present on the value of Solar Power Purchase Agreements.

Now that the Virginia Legislature has enabled solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPA’s) as a pilot project in Dominion territory, attention focuses on how to make a true valuation of solar with regard to pricing PPA’s. This luncheon will be held at City Space, 100 5th St. NE, on the Downtown Mall, Charlottesville, VA. Doors open at 11:45 and the Seminar begins at 12:00. Luncheons are free and open to the public.

Register Here.

27.

Common Ground City Farm in DC

Join us in celebrating Spring at our  Season Opener, Saturday, April 26th 11am-2pm.  Bring your friends and family to tour the farm, get your hands dirty, learn about our programs, or to just say 'Hi'.  We hope to see you at this fun and free community event!

LEAF Afterschool Program: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays 4:30-6pm youth age 6-12 years old can participate in an excitement-filled session of farming, cooking, eating, and learning.  This program is free and does not require enrollment. Afterschool program educators interested in bringing your students to the farm for a LEAF session, contact us.

Seed to Table Workshops: Want to learn more about urban gardening, cooking farm-fresh produce, and living healthy?  Attend a Seed to Table Workshops.  All workshops are held on Saturday mornings and a free to income-qualifying participants.  2014 schedule and registration coming soon

28.

Sunday April 27 -- Better World Betty at the Eco-Fair

Be sure to check out the Better World Betty booth at the Charlottesville Eco Fair during Earth Week! Turn old t-shirts into bags in Rags to Bags, enter in a raffle prize drawing, and learn other eco tips and tricks along the way. More info located in the Eco Fair Section of the newsletter!

29.

The Harvest Table Farm near Meadowview, Virginia, is looking for motivated interns to assist with all aspects of an integrated farm-to-table operation. This is a unique opportunity to experience and participate in the ecological farming movement through a program that connects sustainable and innovative production methods directly to The Harvest Table Restaurant, southwest Virginia's leading local foods establishment.

Specialized internships are designed to give the student an experience well rounded in all aspects of the farm, while encouraging them to research and experiment with one aspect of the system in depth.    Please share with students or recent graduates interested in expanding their practical knowledge of farm-to-table sustainable agriculture. The application can be found at www.harvesttablerestaurant.com, under the Harvest Table Farm tab, and submitted via email to Samantha Eubanks sam@harvesttablerestaurant.com.

30.

Soil Conditioning workshop

Shalom Farms, Goochland, VA - Saturday April 5, 2:00 - 4:30 pm

This year, why not commit to making your garden and its soil the 'Best That It Can Be'?  The living, breathing soil ecosystem is a key factor in determining your garden's production. Join us next Saturday for the Center for Rural Culture's third workshop in the 2014 Homestead Series - "Soil Conditioning".  The workshop takes place at Shalom Farm, 1033 Rock Castle Road, Goochland, VA 23063. Steve Miles (farm manager) will lead the program. He'll discuss composting rules and techniques as well as green manures and cover crops. Next, Becky Lillywhite will lead a discussion on Vermiculture and how to use this process to add fertility and structure to your garden soil.

The program fee is $ 25.00 per person.  Make plans today for this wonderful day of hands on learning and discussions.  At the end of the program, you can tour Shalom Farms and see why they are considered one of Virginia's best organic farms. Click on the link below to get more information about this program or go directly to "Register Now".  Questions? Contact the CRC Program Chairman at stu5012@yahoo.com

Get more information;  Click here to Register Now!

                                      

31.

Raising Chick for Eggs &/or Meat Production Workshop

Blacksburg, VA - Saturday April 12, 10 am - 3 pm

This workshop, presented by Local Concepts LLC with Glade Road Growing, offers everything you ever wanted to know about raising chicks for egg and/or meat production.  We will tour Glade Road Growing’s chicken production and view a variety of equipment used both for homesteading and small-scale business production.  Topics covered include everything from buying birds, brooding, housing, fencing, nutrition, lighting, diseases, eggs, and more.  Also enjoy a farm-fresh style lunch of local foods prepared by Fare Palate.   The workshop will take place at Glade Road Growing FArm, 2351 Glade Road, Blacksburg, VA.

Registration for the workshop costs $65. Click here for online registration.

For more Information contact Christy Gabbard at Christine.gabbard@gmail.com or 540-558-8010  Visit the workshop facebook event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/763575343653179/

32.

April is Barefoot Bucha month!
Kick off your shoes and enjoy Barefoot Bucha's CranGinger and 10 % of sales will benefit Community Schoolyard Garden in Cville!

From April 1st through the 30th, 10% of sales of Barefoot Bucha’s newest kombucha flavor, CranGinger will be donated to City Schoolyard Garden. Barefoot Bucha’s CranGinger flavor is available in Charlottesville at Whole Foods Market and Rebecca’s Natural Food. It is also available at Ellwood Thompson’s and Union Market in Richmond, and Whole Foods Market stores throughout VA, DC, and MD.

33.

Position Open:  Policy Specialist

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition in Washington, DC

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) has opened a search for a new Policy Specialist in Farming Opportunities and Fair Competition.  This  Policy Specialist will work with a dynamic and inspiring team at NSAC's headquarters on Capitol Hill, developing policy strategies related to family farm and sustainability issues, with specific reference to farm programs, crop insurance, livestock market competition issues, and federal agricultural research and extension policy.  See attached position announcement for details, including resposnbilities, qualifications, and how to apply.

34.

RelayFoods.com - Maryland's Online Farmer's Market:

Love the farmer's market but can't always make it there? Relay Foods works with over 200 local farmers, bakeries, creameries, and food producers to bring fresh food right to your door. Next day deliveries at a time of your choice are $10, or pickup your groceries for free at community partner locations around Baltimore and the surrounding area.  There are no membership fees or other costs, and 70% of every dollar for local products goes directly to the farmer! (Most grocers pay only 15-20% to the farmer.) You can make an impact on the local economy while enjoying fresher better tasting foods!  To get $30 off of your first order of $50 or more visit: www.RelayFoods.com/friend/47xpbt .  Feel free to contact me with any questions: 443-937-3042 or Christopher.Kindig @RelayFoods.com.

35.  Regional events that Southern Exposure Seed Exchange will participate in:

Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants Open House Charlottesville, VA • April 5 • facebook.com/monticellochp

Mother Earth News Fair Asheville, NC • April 12-13 • motherearthnews.com/fair

Herbs Galore - Maymont Foundation Richmond, VA • April 26 • maymont.org

Mother Earth News Fair Puyallup, WA • May 31 - June 1 • motherearthnews.com/fair