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.
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
Best,
Christine, Terry and the BRPN team
www.blueridgepermaculture.net
Growing Garden Mushrooms~ Saturday April 19th. $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 1st.
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
Virginia Native Plant Society Annual Native Plant Sale
Sunday, April 27th, 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.
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
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
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.
********************
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
********************
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
********************
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
********************
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.
********************
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/
********************
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
********************
Wednesday 4/9 Cville TimeBank Orientation
5pm at Main Street Market, 418 Market St.
See similar listing above. http://cvilletimebank.com/get-involved/
********************
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
********************
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/
********************
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/
********************
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/
********************
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.
********************
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.
********************
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.
********************
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/
********************
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
********************
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/
********************
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/
********************
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/
********************
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/
********************
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/
********************
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!
********************
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.
********************
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!
********************
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
********************
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/
********************
Help 350 Central Virginia get solar power installed on Albemarle
Schools!
Sign their petition and help move our
community closer to a sustainable future:
********************
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.
********************
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:
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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!! : )
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.
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
|
