Blue Ridge Permaculture Network: 2021

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Job postings, events, and resources 🌱

Greetings all,

Happy autumn all. Lots of good stuff taking place in the region. Folks can sign up for the BRPN e-newsletter here, and view this email as a webpage. Send us announcements here, and post questions, ideas or resources on the BRPN on Facebook here. Sending all of you resilience and regeneration.

Christine and Terry,
Blue Ridge Permaculture Network
www.blueridgepermaculture.net

Executive Director, Project GROWS (Staunton, Virginia) positions

Project GROWS is an educational nonprofit 10-acre farm with a mission to improve the health of children, youth, and families in the Central Shenandoah Valley through food production, agricultural and environmental education, and by creating accessible food systems for all. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, passionate about food access and farm-based education, and understands the unique needs of underserved youth and families in the Shenandoah Valley. The ideal candidate will have outstanding communication skills, an entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to strong fiscal management, a deep knowledge of organizational leadership, fundraising and grant writing, and significant aptitude for leadership in a growing organization. Learn more: https://www.projectgrows.org/get-involved/internships-jobs

Director of Farming

The Director of Farming oversees the diverse agricultural production that is central to Project GROWS’ mission and day-to-day operations. This is a salaried position starting at $37,740, assuming approximately 40 hours/week with some seasonal fluctuation. Benefits include health insurance, two weeks accrued time off (plus the week between December 24 and January 1st), federal holidays, share of farm produce, and the opportunity to work with an engaged and supportive team. This position may require occasional weekend and/or evening work during the growing season and for special events. View Job Description

Learn more: https://www.projectgrows.org/get-involved/internships-jobs

2.

The Collective Resilience: We Rise Podcast!

Christine is excited to share the Collective Resilience: We Rise podcast launch, which shares stories and strategies to inspire action to build resilience and community transformation. It would be great if you’d subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating and review today (especially on Apple podcasts) and follow the podcast on social media. Information about each episode with links to listen can be found at our website: www.yeswerise.org. Sign up for our email list at this link, and check us out on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on your favorite platform (links):
Apple    Google Play      Stitcher    Spotify

   .

Thanks so much for sharing information about the podcast with others! We are so excited!

Collective Resilience: We Rise podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collectiveresiliencewerise/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollectiveResilienceWeRise
Website: www.yeswerise.org
Sign up for our email list: http://eepurl.com/hzDrHf

Job Announcement at TJSWCD - Agricultural Conservation Program

The Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is recruiting for one position for either an Agricultural Conservation Technician, Agricultural Conservation Specialist, or Senior Agricultural Conservation Specialist, depending on qualifications and experience. https://www.tjswcd.org/job-postings/

The position involves agriculture conservation work in Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, and Nelson Counties. A strong background in farm economics and pasture management is a plus.

TJSWCD Employment Application

Applicants will need to submit a completed application, resume, cover letter, and at least three current references to Anne Coates at anne.coates [@] tjswcd.org

The Job Descriptions and the Announcement are also on our Website.

https://www.tjswcd.org/job-postings/

4.
Sharondale Farm workshops
Saturday, October 30, 9am-12pm
Saturday, November 6, 9am-12pm

Learn how to grow several different types of mushrooms using low-tech, low-cost methods in your garden or woodlot. Get hands-on experience inoculating logs for mushroom cultivation, as well as methods for annual, perennial, container and forest gardens.

Discussions will include:

Selecting mushroom species
Biology and ecology of fungi
Using mushrooms for personal and ecological health
Evaluating your growing substrates and conditions
Seasonal planning for mushroom harvests
How fungi are integral to healthy organic gardening practices
We will have spawn and tools available for sale at the end of the day.
Register Now at this link!

5.
Forrest Green Farm events and cool stuff

Saturday events:
Free samples of our 3 new flavors of Sparkling Herbal Tea and 1 returning favorite!
FGF fall raffle worth over $100 (details in event page)
FGF will also be having an end of season plant sale! 50% off all trees, shrubs and native plants. 20% off all fall veggie starts. 30% off all Echo Valley garden decorations.
The cut flower garden is still going strong so we are doing one more weekend of cut your own flowers with a special price of $5 per bouquet. Enjoy a last taste of summer flowers! The Zinnias look awesome.

More details about Saturdays events here - https://www.facebook.com/events/312316350700134?ref=newsfeed

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

🦃 It is Turkey sign up time! Sign up now to reserve your pasture raised holiday turkey. Our turkeys are raised here on our farm from day old poults. Our turkeys are truly pasture raised on our pastures which means they are moved each day to a fresh patch of grass. Here they are able to feed on fresh grass and insects. We move our turkeys and uniquely designed portable houses throughout our pastures and along the woods edge where they love to eat the freshly fallen fall leaves and acorns. Our turkeys are also supplemented with only non-GMO feed, fresh greens, and vegetables from our gardens and greenhouses. LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE!

Sign up here - https://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/home/reserve-your-holiday-turkey/

🥬 Winter CSA is now full for 2021.

🐮Due to the overwhelming response to the last homeschool farm tour day we have made another date! Join us Friday October 22nd for a Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour.
Join Rob on a pasture walk to see the pasture raised laying hens, broiler chickens, turkeys, mob grazed 100% grass fed cows, and livestock guardian dogs. Great for all ages! During this educational tour, you’ll get to hear our story, learn about regenerative agriculture, and learn how we raise our animals, vegetables and herbs to create a ecological and sustainable working farm. For the older kids, we will discuss the importance of supporting local food producers and how that impacts your local economy. Also, how supporting small farms insures food security, fresher food and reduces emissions.
This tour is a 2 hour walking farm tour.
Sign up here- https://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/classes/homeschool-day-at-the-farm/

Upcoming Classes
2021 Deer Processing Workshop November 7 (2 spots left!) - https://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/classes/deer-processing-workshop-🦌/
2022 Mushroom Log Workshop - https://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/classes/mushroom-logs/
2022 Whole Living Course - https://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/classes/whole-living-class/

🍁Fall Wellness 🍁
Come out and stock up on FGF herbal teas, elderberry syrup, vitamins, tinctures, bone broth and more! We have got you covered ;)

https://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/fgfblog/

6.

Kat Maier of Sacred Plant Traditions
Book News - Release Date - November 26

We are so excited to share that Kat Maier's Energetic Herbalism is available to order and will have a ship date of November 26!

https://www.katmaierherbalism.com/

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

We Rise podcast launch, SPI permaculture course, and regional events

Greetings all,

Happy spring. Lots of good stuff taking place in the region. Folks can sign up for the BRPN e-newsletter here, and view this email as a webpage. Send us announcements here, and post questions, ideas or resources on the BRPN on Facebook here. Sending all of you resilience and regeneration.

Christine and Terry,
Blue Ridge Permaculture Network
www.blueridgepermaculture.net

The Collective Resilience: We Rise Podcast Launch!

2.
Shenandoah Permaculture Institute Presents
FALL 2021 PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATE COURSE

The course will be held at farms throughout the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia, with a home base at 1 Tribe Farm in Mount Sidney, VA.

The course will be held over 9 days during 4 weekends in 2021. The dates are September 3, 4, & 5, September 18,19, October 2,3, andNovember 6,7. Course days will run from 9am-6:00pm unless otherwise noted.

REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION:
http://www.shenandoahpermaculture.com/fallpdc.html
Or contact Trevor at shenperminstitute@gmail.com

TUITION:
Early Registration (through June 30th): $975
Regular Registration (after June 30th): $1,175

ABOUT:
Permaculture is an ethically based design approach to creating sustainable human communities. Although rooted in agriculture, permaculture design also touches on ecological restoration, community development, urban planning, energy systems, and architecture.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THE COURSE:
Anyone interested in developing a productive, efficient, and ecologically sustainable landscape, including backyard gardens, farms, homesteads, and communities. Permaculture Design applies to projects of all sizes and scales. No prior knowledge or experience is required!

COURSE INSTRUCTORS:
This course will be taught by SPI's core teaching team - Emilie Tweardy, Ryan Blosser, and Trevor Piersol, along with guest instructors. The teaching team brings a deep background of experience in regenerative farming, homesteading, permaculture design, and education. For full instructor bios please visit shenandoahpermaculture.com.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:
-Tour some of the region's most successful and innovative permaculture sites including: 1 Tribe Farm, Dancing Star Farm, ShireFolk Farm, and Wild Rose Orchard
-Learn hands-on skills on real working farms
-Participate in a group permaculture design project
-Connect to a thriving community of permaculture designers and homesteaders
-SPI's special Permaculture curriculum is tailored specifically to the Mid-Atlantic bio-region

3.
Shenandoah Permaculture Institute Presents
FALL 2021 PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATE COURSE
Teaching Apprenticeship Information - DUE TOMORROW!

Shenandoah Permaculture Institute is now accepting applications for a Teaching Apprentice for our Fall 2021 PDC!

The goal of the apprenticeship is to train new permaculture educators. Through the program you will receive mentoring from SPI's teaching team and be given opportunities to teach select modules during the PDC. You will also participate fully in the PDC in a teacher/student role where you can observe and focus on pedagogy.

EXPECTATIONS
-Attend the entire 4-weekend PDC course
-Attend 2 planning meetings prior to the course (virtual)
-Teach 2 1-hour modules during the course, under guidance of the teaching team
-Assist with setup and cleanup of the course before, during, and after class days
-You will receive $200 and a Teaching Certificate upon completion of the apprenticeship

QUALIFICATIONS
-All applicants must have already earned a PDC certificate, have a strong interest in teaching, and be able to provide for their own travel and lodging during the course. Experience in applied permaculture and/or education is a plus

APPLICATION
-Please answer the following questions and email to Trevor at shenperminstitute@gmail.com.
1) Your name and where you live 2) What is your permaculture background and experience? Where and when did you receive your PDC training? If you have done any permaculture design work please email a photo/copy 3) Why are you interested in being a Teaching Apprentice? How will this program help you achieve your goals? 4) What education/teaching experience do you have? Application deadline: July 1st, 2021
Questions please contact Trevor at shenperminstitute@gmail.com

4.
Soul Fire Farm is a BIPOC*-centered community farm committed to ending racism and injustice in the food system. We raise and distribute life-giving food as a means to end food apartheid. With deep reverence for the land and wisdom of our ancestors, we work to reclaim our collective right to belong to the earth and to have agency in the food system. We bring diverse communities together on this healing land to share skills on sustainable agriculture, natural building, spiritual activism, health, and environmental justice. We are training the next generation of activist-farmers and strengthening the movements for food sovereignty and community self-determination. *BIPOC = Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
AWESOME publications page: https://www.soulfirefarm.org/media/publications/

5.
Deep Belonging Collective

Deep Belonging Collective (DBC) is a project recently launched with an amazing group of humans. DBC emerged to support folks in reconnecting with their inner guidance, remembering their deepest potentials as integral members of the Earth community, and reclaiming a functional cosmological orientation.

Fundamentally, DBC is about tending connections: connections to the wild Earth and cosmos, to our full selves, and to our communities. DBC is committed, not to solving problems, but to remembering this connectedness. To support this work of remembering, DBC offers on-line programs, in-person nature-based immersions, and 1-on-1 mentoring.

We are committed to offering our programs in the spirit of NOTAFLOF (No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds) in an attempt to make them widely available. The attached flyer includes some details on our 2021 schedule of on-land offerings, and more info can be found on our website.

6.

Breathe in the summer mountain air of western Highland County and visit the Allegheny Farm, our educational campus.

Tour the Farm: Learn about our whole-system practices that enhance environmental, personal, and community health.

Explore the Fellowship: Meet Fellows, discuss their community work, and learn about our experiential curriculum.

Discover Allegheny Mountain Institute: Explore the ways we support schools, hospitals, and organizations to integrate farming, nutritious vegetables, and related education into food systems and outreach initiatives.

Taste the Difference: Enjoy farm-fresh snacks and purchase vegetables and eggs grown and cultivated on the Allegheny Farm.

Address: 2599 Bear Mountain Road, Hightown, VA

Read more at the AMI website: https://www.amifellows.org/

7.
Living Earth School programs

The Living Earth School is a nature-based educational organization, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia in the Charlottesville area. Our programs draw from both ancient and modern wisdom to help empower students to become better caretakers, mentors, and leaders. We are part of a larger national movement to help people reconnect with the natural world, creating meaningful relationships and experiences.

Learn about the programs available at: https://livingearthva.com/

8.
Farfields Farm Apothecary and Nursery

Farfields is an agroecological farmstead project that aims to serve the community with nourishing food and nursery plants while building soil and fostering the health of the ecosystems within which they are embedded. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Afton, there is a native plant nursery, pastured laying hens, vegetable and medicinal gardens, mushroom logs, ponds, woodlands, and wildlife. Agro-forestry efforts include an organic, log-grown shiitake mushroom yard, as well as a multitude of wild-simulated plantings and Forest Farming classes. Farfields also helps support the Botanica Mobile Clinic.

Learn more at: farfieldsfarm.square.site/

9.
Agrarian Commons Toolkit

As believers in the commons, we are excited and grateful to be able to share an incredible resource with you. In the past year, our Agrarian Commons development team has collaborated with Vermont Law School’s Center for Agriculture and Food Systems to create an Agrarian Commons Toolkit.

The guide outlines bylaws, land stewardship standards, and equitable lease-building. It also includes summaries of discussions with lawyers, farmers, and other practitioners who participated in creating the legal documents.

While focused on Agrarian Commons, the guide is meant to be used to assist those looking to establish similar legal structures, such as community-based stewardship of land, or equitable leases based on long-term tenure and regenerative practices.

This resource is grounded in community land sovereignty and equitable land tenure. Our hope is that it can be a resource for communities interested in community-held land, in and outside of the Agrarian Commons model. It’s meant for anyone who wants to use it, from farmers leaning into collective ownership and governance to those seeking guidelines for an equitable lease. Please share it with members of your own intellectual and land-tending commons!

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Upcoming events and resources

Greetings all,

1.
Cultivate Charlottesville is hiring!

Program Director, Food Justice Network (FJN).

The FJN Program Director is a dynamic leader focused on advancing food equity in Charlottesville through community engagement, forging partnerships, and advocating for systems change. Core functions include:

Provide strategic leadership for FJN
Implement the City of Charlottesville Food Equity Initiative
Manage the community FJN team
Ignite and organize advocacy efforts that engage community
Strengthen organizational goals, values & capacity

For more details and how to apply, please download the job description.

Program Associate, Urban Agriculture Collective (UAC).

The UAC Program Associate builds relationships, advocacy and space for community advocacy around and action for urban agriculture. Core functions include:

Engage community partners to define a collective vision for food equity and urban agriculture
Collaborate with City of Charlottesville for long-term sustainability of growing in the city
Collaboratively design food equity and urban agriculture center
Strengthen organizational goals, values and capacity

For more details and how to apply, please download the job description.
https://cultivatecharlottesville.org/jobs/

2.
Edible Landscaping is hiring

Seasonal/part-time help needed shipping plants, helping in greenhouse. Experience shipping helpful but not required. This position requires, lifting and multitasking. Reliable and attention to detail. Must be able to work as a part of a team.
https://ediblelandscaping.com/

3.

https://lynchburg.libcal.com/calendar/Claytor?cid=13476&t=g&d=0000-00-00&cal=13476&inc=0

4.
Soul Fire Farm is a BIPOC*-centered community farm committed to ending racism and injustice in the food system. We raise and distribute life-giving food as a means to end food apartheid. With deep reverence for the land and wisdom of our ancestors, we work to reclaim our collective right to belong to the earth and to have agency in the food system. We bring diverse communities together on this healing land to share skills on sustainable agriculture, natural building, spiritual activism, health, and environmental justice. We are training the next generation of activist-farmers and strengthening the movements for food sovereignty and community self-determination. *BIPOC = Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
AWESOME publications page: https://www.soulfirefarm.org/media/publications/

5.
Shenandoah Permaculture Institute
Shenandoah Permaculture Institute will be hosting an in-person Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course this fall in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Here is the link to the course page http://www.shenandoahpermaculture.com/fallpdc.html as well as some key details below.

COURSE LOCATION
This course will be held at 1 Tribe Farm, a regenerative working farm and retreat center in Mount Sidney, Virginia in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.

COURSE DATES
The course will be taught over 4 weekends, with one 3 day weekend, for a total of 9 days:
September 3, 4, 5
September 18, 19
October 2, 3
November 6, 7

TUITION:
$975 Early Bird Discount through June 30th, 2021. $1,175 after June 30th. Payable to Shenandoah Permaculture Institute on our registration page.
Trevor Piersol
Shenandoah Permaculture Institute
shenperminstitute@gmail.com

6.
Living Earth School

Wildflower weekend
Wildflower Workshop
May 23 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Ages 13+
In the spring, our world comes alive with a plethora of new colors and textures. Have you ever wondered why they disappear so fast when spring is over?
https://livingearthva.com/adult-courses/

Adult May Backpacking Trip

Whether you have backpacked for weeks or are just getting comfortable with multi-night trips, this trip is designed to move at a moderate pace. We will learn some important plants along the way and discuss ecology as we descend from the tippy tops of the ridge down into Glass Hollow in Afton. As a special treat, on Sunday morning we will have a full wildflower workshop where we will make time for drawing and journaling, and you will get to practice identifying plants with a Field Guide book. When you return home, you will be equipped to continue your learning without your instructors!

https://livingearthva.com/event/adult-wildflower-backpacking-trek/?instance_id=1305

7.
Perennial Love Nursery
Perennial Love Nursery will be selling perennials at the IX Farmers Market In Charlottesville. It is forecast to be mild and overcast, a great day to buy and plant your perennials! Trillium grandiflora, Lady’s mantle, Celandine poppy, Goldenseal, Foamflower, Solomon’s seal, Black Cohosh just to name a few.
https://www.facebook.com/perenniallovers/