Upcoming Events
May 2017
Greetings all,
Happy early spring! Below is an amazing collection of upcoming events in the central Virginia bioregion! Folks can sign up for the BRPN e-newsletter here. Send us announcements to: blueridgepermaculture@gmail.com, or click here to view this email as a webpage. And check out the BRPN on Facebook here.
Best,
Christine, Terry, and the BRPN team
www.blueridgepermaculture.net
1.
Wildflower Music Fest is a 3-day music festival on July 28th - 30th, 2017 near Charlottesville featuring bands, community art, vendors, camping, wine, workshops, and wildflowers.
Our mission is to raise funds for sustainable agriculture while showcasing some of the best underground music in Maryland and Virginia!
Bands include: Deaf Scene, Squaring the Circle, The Dirty Grass Players, A MARC Train Home, Tomato Dodgers, Humbalaya, 4our Flights Up Orchestra, Diamond Canopy
With First Colony Winery at Natural Time Farm is located on six beautiful acres in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is a permaculture farm dedicated to the ideal of human flourishing in harmonious relationship with our Earth that sustains us. Natural Time Farm will be hosting camping, workshops, vendors, and all other events at Wildflower. facebook.com/NaturalTimeFarm
Proceeds from the festival will be donated to the Blue Ridge Permaculture Network.
Buy Tickets
General Admission- $30, Camping pass (per tent)- $20, Parking pass (per car)- $5
https://www.whatiswildflower.com/
2.
The 2017 North American Agroforestry Conference in Blacksburg, VA June 27-29, 2017
Come join to learn about the latest advances in agroforestry research, practice, outreach, and policy; see innovative on-the-ground systems with agroforestry farmers; share your agroforestry experience, skills, and knowledge; and participate in pre-conference training and tours. Early registration ends May 16th. Find out more information and register at this link.
3.
Permaculture Design Course
When: May 27-June 11, 2017 (16 days)
Where: Cricket Cove Farm: Victoria, Virginia
Teachers: Rico Zook, Koreen Brennan, Andrew Millison
Price: $1095 Promo offer till Tax Day April 18th
$1295 after April 18th
Join us at the emerging Permaculture and agroforestry site of Cricket's Cove Farm. An ideal learning site which includes several existing enterprises and water harvesting agroforestry systems at various stages of growth.
Using a variety of learning techniques and strategies this workshop presents Permaculture with a diversity of applications in mind. Class time consists of traditional lectures, guest presentations, group discussions, games, exercises, photo shows, movies, and practical design work.
This workshop involves group work where students complete a real life design project. Through completion of the 72 hour PDC participants gain conceptual and practical knowledge of Permaculture and receive a certificate to practice Permaculture Design.
http://www.cricketscove.net/permaculture-design-certification/
4.
Fungal Pharmacopeia at Sharondale Mushroom Farm - May 27-28th
Join us for an intensive hands-on activity filled workshop about mushrooms as medicine for personal and community health. Explore the historic and current uses of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms for wellbeing and preventative medicine. Learn how to develop community health and resilience through collaboration of mycologists, farmers, herbalists, and other practitioners of the healing arts.
Spawn the myco-cultural revolution!
For more information and to register: https://www.sharondalefarm.com/shop/fungal-pharmacopeia-workshop/
5.
Spring Tree Sale with Master Gardeners
May 13, 9:00 a.m. to noon
IX Complex, Elliott Avenue and Second Street, Charlottesville
The Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards will offer about 40 varieties of young trees and shrubs, mostly natives, for sale at reasonable prices. Selections will include Highbush Blueberry, Paw Paw, Bottlebrush Buckeye, Downy Serviceberry, Blackhaw Viburnum, and many others.
Free Class on Tree Selection, Planting, and Care
May 20, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Ivy Creek Natural Area, Education Building, 1780 Earlysville Rd, Charlottesville
Learn how to plant your new tree to give it the best chance to survive and flourish in the place that you choose for it, along with best practices in caring for your newly planted tree and your other landscape trees for the long term. Includes a planting demonstration. This free class is part of the Tree Basics for Homeowners program of the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards. For more information, please go to charlottesvilleareatreestewards.org.
6.
The Natural Garden of Harrisonburg, VA is hiring for 7 different job positions, ranging from entry-level to leadership roles.
We are an ecological design/build landscaping company in Harrisonburg dedicated to creating sustainable, living landscapes inspired by our surrounding environment, and specializing in native plants grown in our own nursery. We employ traditional stonework techniques, and hand-drawn design methods. Favorite projects involve edible pollinator habitats in urban settings to rewilding through meadow and stream restoration.
We are currently hiring for the positions of Landscape Designer-Project Manager, Project Manager, Native Plant Nursery – Manager of Marketing and Sales, Native Plant Nursery Grower, Landscape Crew Leader, Landscaper, and Stone Mason. We have both seasonal and full-time positions available. We offer competitive pay, and a unique experience working for a one-of-kind company with a passion for sustainability.
For more detailed descriptions of each open position, please see our website at www.thenaturalgarden.net/job-openings.html. Candidates interested in these positions should submit a cover letter, resume, three excellent work references, and any relevant portfolio work by contacting Maya Hawthorn Gunderson: maya(at)thenaturalgarden.net. To learn more about or company, go to www.thenaturalgarden.netor find us at www.facebook.com/TheNaturalGardenHarrisonburg
7.
Permaculture Teachers empower people with actionable tools for problem solving in a way that respects nature and the flow of life.
This summer, learn how to do so from the foremost practitioners in the trade.
Larry Santoyo and Scott Pittman are the first generation of Permaculture teachers to have worked with and have taught alongside Bill Mollison. They have extensively taught Permaculture Design for the last three decades, in over four continents, and are now offering a course mentoring the next generation of great instructors.
Be a part of this rare opportunity to learn from the best: http://www.permacultureacademy.com/courses/permaculture-master-class-in-hawaii
Attendees will learn:
- A cohesive approach to Principles & Methodologies of Design.
- Systems Thinking that will reinforce using Permaculture Principles to plan, design and manage the home and landscape; as well as community and economic developments, at any scale.
- Design Principles and Patterning that will be revisited using human dynamics and communication, alongside the more familiar earth repair applications and exercises.
- Techniques that will assist Permaculturists in conveying the importance of using the principles as well as their direct relevance to community and economic development.
- Student Teaching
- Class exercises and critiques
- Teaching an assigned section and a section of your choosing from the PDC course
- Laughing and having fun in a supportive and inspiring setting
8.
Medicinal Mushrooms & Mushroom Essences with Canadian Author and Herbalist Robert Rogers
Friday, May 26, 2017
9:00am – 5:00p
Sacred Plant Traditions
Part of what makes the field of mycology exciting is that our ignorance far exceeds our knowledge - especially true regarding mushroom medicine. Robert Rogers combines nearly two decades of clinical herbal practice with a passion for fungus and a depth of knowledge I've never seen before. If you're interested in incorporating mushrooms in your practice or to support your own well being, this is certainly not to be missed! $100
Registration
FIELD BOTANY for HERBALISTS
Wednesday May 17 or Thursday May 18, 2017
9:00am – 5:00pm
This class will cover the basics of plant identification with an emphasis on medicinal plants that grow in the Charlottesville area. Participants will learn how to identify plants from visual characteristics and how to recognize the area’s most common plant families.
Taught by .Holly Poole Kavana
Herbal teas will be provided Please pack a bag lunch or plan to eat a local eatery.
Students will need to bring a loupe and, if you have it, Botany in a Day, by Thomas Elpel.
Please choose Wednesday or Thursday below. Fee for the class is $70.
http://sacredplanttraditions.com/
9.
Virginia Native Plant Society Meeting: Tom Wiebolt on Mo Stevens
Wednesday, May 10, 7:30 pm, Ivy Creek Natural Area, 1780 Earlysville Rd, Charlottesville
Tom Wieboldt, Charlottesville native and recently retired botanist at Virginia Tech will speak about the life and accomplishments of Charles “Mo” Stevens, his mentor and colleague in field botany. Mo traveled over Albemarle County and the entire state of Virginia seeking out notable habitats for plants, and annotating USGS topographic maps with his finds. The value of his work today and in the future is noteworthy as a record of plant locations during the time when Mo was exploring the state. Now and in the future, we can compare locations then with locations now: are the populations still in the same area, have they moved, etc. Other friends and colleagues of Mo’s will join Tom in recounting Mo’s achievements and telling noteworthy stories about Mo—and there are many (achievements AND stories).
Ivy Creek Wildflower Walk with Tana Herndon
Saturday, May 20, 9 am, Ivy Creek Natural Area. Meet at the Kiosk
Tana Herndon will lead a walk searching out late spring and early summer wildflowers.
Summer Native Plant Walks
June 17th, July 15th and August 19th
9 am, Ivy Creek Natural Area, 1780 Earlysville Rd, Charlottesville. Walks led by VNPS members. Cosponsored by Ivy Creek Natural Area. Meet at the kiosk near the parking lot.
10.
Hello Permaculterers!! I have this sweet place meant for a permaculture person. I wanted to share with you in case any of your members may be interested. Thank you so much, Nellie
cabin 1 mile from downtown blacksburg, organic garden space, wood heat
11.
Spring Plant Sale and Event for Gardeners
Copper Hill, VA - May 6 and 7, 11 am - 3 pm both days
Patchwork Farm (216 Conner Lane, Copper Hill, VA, in Floyd, County, near mile marker 147 on Blue Ridge Parkway) is hosting a weekend spring plant sale, farm demos, and kids' activities on Saturday-Sunday, May 6 and 7, from 11 am until 3 pm each day.
Explore the farm
Free Expert Organic Gardening Advice from your farmers (bring your list of questions!)
Regional and seasonally suitable plants
Lots of heirloom tomatoes!
Organic Seeds
Annuals and Perennials
Farm and Garden Demos on topics like:
Hand Tools (and how to use them)
Basics of Drip irrigation
Small Farm tool Demo- Heard of a Paper Pot transplanter or a caterpillar tunnel?
Tips for Transplanting
Starting Seeds in Soil Blocks
Short Farm Tours
Kids Activities include:
Bug Identification, Gourd Decorating, Kids seed starting
This event is free and open to the public. See attached flyer for more.
12.
Radical Roots Farm is currently accepting apprentice applications for the 2017 season
If you are serious about taking your farming to the next level, please consider this amazing opportunity.
Radical Roots Farm grows high quality, certified organic vegetables and herbs in a sustainable way.
The Radical Roots Farm Apprenticeship is an exchange of time and learning between experienced and new farmers. Apprentices’ learn the art and craft of organic farming through hard work in the fields, observation of successful farm ecosystems and participating in a mentoring relationship with experienced farmers. This immersion into all aspects of organic vegetable production gives new farmers valuable skills and experience to begin their career in organic agriculture. Whether they start their own farm or go on to work in public gardens, landscaping, school gardens or farm to table restaurants, apprentices gain a firm foundation and confidence to succeed.
Goals of the Apprenticeship
- To share the skills involved in organic farming and the tools of the trade.
- To offer apprentices an example of a successful organic farm so that they can learn the cycles of the growing season.
- To give apprentices first hand working knowledge with specific crops, so that they can have a solid foundation of farming experience.
- To support the hands on learning that comes through hard work in the fields with educational resources, garden reading, classes and field trips.
13.
From our friends at VABF
Organic Seed Alliance - Seed Internship Program
This is your chance to participate in addressing one of the most pressing needs in organic agriculture - and to develop a new enterprise for your farm.
Organic Seed Alliance ( https://www.seedalliance.org) is seeking to match the organic seed growers of tomorrow with the experienced growers of today.
The Seed Internship Program combines online and classroom learning, farm-based independent study, and real-world experience through a diverse network of family farms. Hosted by Organic Seed Alliance and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA), the Seed Internship Program matches individuals who want to learn about seed production with experienced growers.
Learn more and apply today
Become an Intern
The Seed Internship Program matches interns with host farms that provide on-farm experience and formal training in seed production. The six-month internships offer interns:
Online, class, and field-based education
Independent studies on the host farm
Experience with the organic seed trade
Become a Host
Are you experienced seed producer looking for interns? We need you to train the next generation of seed producers! Host farms receive:
Assistance with matching the right intern for your farm
Educational materials, webinars, and other support
Organic Certification Cost Share - now more readily accessible
Visit your Farm Services Agency (FSA) office anytime after March 20 to apply for the 2017 season
From Alyssa Charney, Policy Specialist at NSAC:
On December 21 of 2016, USDA announced the transfer of the organic certification cost share program to FSA. National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) published a press release and blog, which you can read below, as well as USDA's press release and the NOFA in public inspection (to be published in Federal Register tomorrow).
USDA Press Release
NSAC Press Release
NSAC Blog
NOFA for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program
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