upcoming events

Greetings All,

Below you will find info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the near future in the central Virginia bioregion, including some TODAY!

For more information about permaculture events, see our website: www.blueridgepermaculture.net. If you know anyone else that would like to sign up for this newsletter, or if you have an announcement, email Christine at christinegyovai@gmail.com for the next update, which are sent monthly.

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


1.
UVa Food Collaborative – Charlottesville, VA

The UVa Food Collaborative (http://www.virginia.edu/foodcollaborative/) presents "What's On Your Plate? A Public Forum on Local Food and the Media." The event takes place Thursday, October 7th at 4 pm at the Jefferson Scholars Foundation building* with a panel featuring three of today's pre-eminent food writers and thinkers: Marian Burros, food columnist, New York Times; Tom Philpott, food editor, Grist.org; and James McWilliams, author, Just Food: Where Locavores Get it Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly. Be a part of this discussion on modern agriculture and the media forces that are shaping our perceptions of the sustainable food movement. The event is free and open to the public; the panel discussion will include audience Q and A. Reception (with locally sourced food) to follow.

*The Jefferson Scholars Building is just off-campus at 112 Clarke Ct., off Maury Ave. and Fontaine Ave. in Charlottesville. Parking is very limited on-site, so please consider walking, biking, or public transportation. The Trolley stops in front of the building

http://www.virginia.edu/foodcollaborative/calendar/forum.php


2.
A class on "Building Community Resilience in Response to Peak Oil, Climate Change, and a No-Growth Economy" will be offered at Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist (at 717 Rugby Road, Charlottesville, VA), starting Oct. 3 and meeting weekly for 6 sessions, skipping Halloween. It's fine for folks to attend the first meeting, which includes a showing of Chris Martenson's Crash Course chapters on peak oil and the economy, before deciding whether to sign up. People are also welcome to attend individual sessions -- 10/17 on gardening for maximum food production, presented by Stephen Bach; 10/24 on weatherizing the home, presented by John Semmelhack; and 11/7 on harvesting rainwater, presented by Garnett Mellon.

Please email Nancy Hurrelbrinck at: nhurrelbrinck@gmail.com for more information or to register. Child care provided at every class.


3.
All are invited to Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church's second annual “Vigil for the People and Mountains of Appalachia” on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 7:00 p.m. The church presents this program in witness to the human and ecological devastation that results from mountaintop removal (MTR) mining, whose coal powers Charlottesville. The Rev. Rose Edington of Charleston, WV, will speak on "Justice, Equity, and Compassion in the Mountains,” and the evening will include music from The Murphys and Friends and the Charlottesville Women's Choir, a performance by Adelind Horan from "Cry of the Mountain," a candle-lighting ceremony, and a lost mountain roll call. MTR has so far destroyed 500 Appalachian mountains and continues to pollute headwaters for our entire region. For more information, contact Nancy Hurrelbrinck at nhurrelbrinck@gmail.com.


4.
The movie Food, Inc. (2009, 91 minutes) will be shown Friday, Nov. 12 at 7pm at Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church -- Unitarian Universalist (717 Rugby Rd, Charlottesville, VA). The film
lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing how our food supply is controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers, and the environment. The film reveals surprising and often shocking truths about what we eat, how it's produced, and who we have become as a nation.


5.
Common Good City Farm in Washington DC
• Cultivating Community with Urban Gardens, Oct. 15-17. Spend a weekend learning the basics of urban food gardening, annual and perennial garden design and gardening with your community. Learn how to winterize an existing garden and prepare an area now for a new garden in the spring. Discussion on basic theories of how to design with nature will be mixed with hands-on activities. Instructors: Liz Falk, founder and former Director, and Steve Gabriel, teacher and Lead Designer, Work With Nature. Course fee: $200. Scholarship applications available by emailing Info@commongoodcityfarm.org.
More information and course outline at Common Good's events page.
• LeDroit Park Community Day / Common Good fall harvest party, Saturday Oct. 23, 10a-2p. Save the date for a day of fun, food, and friendliness in our neighborhood and on the farm! If you live nearby, consider contacting Info@commongoodcityfarm.org, attn: Ayo Handy-Kendi, for ways to get involved!
• Accokeek Foundation’s Edible Forest Gardens workshop, Oct. 1-3, Accokeek Ecosystem Farm. Edible forest gardens mimic the structures and functions of natural woodland ecosystems, while producing food and other products, with an emphasis on low-maintenance perennial crops. Design and plant selection help provide fertility, control of weeds and pests, and more. Come for a hands-on introduction to this fascinating and delicious approach to food production. Instructor: Eric Toensmeier (author, Perennial Vegetables and Edible Forest Gardens). More information at http://www.accokeek.org/events/#20101001.

www.commongoodcityfarm.org


6.
Saddle up your bikes and join us for the first annual Community Garden Bike Tour of Charlottesville! On Sunday, October 3, we'll tour five of our town's amazing community gardens. We'll meet at 1pm at the Bridge PAI, and finish there with good food courtesy of Slow Food Albemarle-Piedmont, cold beverages, door prizes and socializing.

Participating gardens:
UVa Community Garden
Hereford Residential College Mini-Farm
Buford Schoolyard Garden Project
The Haven's PATCH Garden
QCC Farms! Garden of Goodness

The tour is free for kids 16 and younger, $5 for UVa students, and $10 for the general public. All proceeds benefit the Buford Schoolyard Garden Project, the Haven's PATCH garden, and QCC Farms!

For more information, please visit cvillebiketour.blogspot.com

Want to join the tour? Space is limited; to reserve your spot, email us at cvilleopengardens [at] gmail [dot] com.


7.
Matthew Wood and Constitutional Herbalism
Oct 8 - 10

How exciting to have Matthew return to SPT once again and bring his wisdom to our area. Enjoy another great weekend with Matthew at the beautiful lodge at Camp Albemarle. We have been gathering here for a number of years with Matt by the fire, listening with deep intent to his stories and his wisdom. Whether this is your first time or you are an alumni, this is not to be missed.

Learn to evaluate people constitutionally, starting with the most basic and useful typology, tridosha (vata, pitta, kapha) and its Western analogs (ectomorph, mesomorph, endomorph). More complex constitutions will be covered as well, including some of the Animal Medicine types. Evaluation of pathology according to the six tissue states, which can be seen as an expansion on tridosha. Most useful herbs for each category will be covered as well as evaluation from the tone and color of the skin. Introduction to tongue and pulse will be presented if time allows.

Fee for the weekend is $295 and this includes camping and rustic cabins, three meals on Saturday and two on Sunday. We are committed to keeping herbal medicine accessible and with each passing year it becomes more difficult to keep fees low as those around us rise. Our food is organic, wild where possible and always fantastic.

www.sacredplanttraditions.com


8.
Want to learn about what's involved in keeping miniature dairy goats (which were recently legalized in Charlottesville)?

The Charlottesville Goat Justice League has organized an urban goat keeping workshop at Dragon Hill Farm in Scottsville next Saturday, Oct. 9, 2-4:30pm, rain or shine. Wear farm-friendly clothes and bring a folding chair.

$20/person with pre-registration, $25/person at the farm. To pre-register, make check out to Dragon Hill Farm for $20/person and mail to Meghan Keith-Hynes, P.O. Box 835, Cville, 22902 For more information, please contact Meghan at 434-293-2145 ormeghankh@gmail.com.

Everyone who pre-registers will receive 2 free bags of shavings from Tractor Supply. There will be other door prizes donated by Whole Foods, Rebecca's, and Fifth Season.

You can mapquest or googlemap directions to farm: 2531 Ruritan Lake Road, Scottsville 24590


9.
Fiber Arts: Felting 101
How to Make a Felted Purse or or wall hanging

Instructor Libby Parrish will guide you through the process of turning an old wool garment into a beautiful felted treasure. Libby has a degree in Textiles from NC State University, holds a number of patents in the field, and loves the creative side of what fibers can do. In this entry-level fibers course, you do not need to be an expert knitter (or even know how to knit!) because the purse, wall hanging, or other fiber art project is made from a favorite old sweater that is out of style or no longer fits!
In this weekend course you will learn:
*a basic understanding of fibers
*what to look for that can be re-purposed in felting
*different types of felting techniques
*how to use a sewing machine to assemble the components
November 6, 2010 Saturday 9-5
Course Fee: $60 Material Fee: $10 [or bring your own materials for free!]
Location: “The Barn” @ Green Meadows Farm 10876 Zilles Road, Blackstone, VA
There is only space for 10 participants, so reserve yours now!
info@transitionstudio.org or 434.294.0372

www.transitionstudio.org


10.
Autumn 2010 Workshops

Workshop descriptions are included below. To register for unlimited classes please purchase a SEASON PASS (pay one fee of $120; it also includes a $25 CRC Individual Membership) and then sign up as a Season Pass Holder for each class you would like to attend. To register for individual classes please pay the General Public fee per class. Some classes have limited availability - register early! Class times and places are subject to change.

Please contact Beth Hopkins at 804-955-7986 or at: programs@centerforruralculture.org with any questions.

Canning & Preserving Workshops - Sponsored by:

Canning I: Chutneys and Relishes Fee: $30
Thursday, October 7 5:30 - 8:30 pm
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 12291 River Road, Richmond, VA 23238
Instructor: Keith Flannagan
A hands-on workshop that will provide you with a full understanding of the basics of home canning. We'll go over safety tips and focus on canning chutney and relishes to preserve the harvest of the season.

Canning II: Fruit Jellies Fee: $30
Thursday, October 14 5:30 - 8:30 pm
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 12291 River Road, Richmond, VA 23238
Instructor: Keith Flannagan
A hands-on workshop that will provide you with a full understanding of the basics of home canning. We'll go over safety tips and focus on canning fruit jellies to preserve the harvest of the season.

Fermenting Basics/Yogurt Fee: $30
Thursday, October 21 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Center for Rural Culture, 3009 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063
Instructor: Sally Norton, MPH
We focus on making yogurt, but other fermented foods will be discussed along with the health benefits of fermented foods and the safety issues involved.

Poultry Processing Workshops - Sponsored by:

"Girlz Got Gutz": For Women Only Fee: $30
Saturday, October 23 10 am - 12:30 pm
17215 Beaverdam Rd, Beaverdam, VA 23015
Instructors: Molly Sharp and Linda Anderson
Learn the proper procedures and techniques for processing your poultry. This is a by women for women class.

Poultry Processing for All Fee: $30
Saturday, October 16 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Avery's Branch Farms, 16923 Genito Road, Amelia Court House, VA 23002
Instructors: Joy, Elliott and Oliver Alexander
Learn the proper procedures and techniques for processing your poultry. This class is open to all. *We will meet at the Center for Rural Culture and convoy to the farm together.

Looking Ahead Workshops

Developing A Sustainable Vegetable Garden Plan Fee: $15
Tuesday, Oct. 5 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Center for Rural Culture, 3009 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063
Instructor: Lisa Dearden, A.A.S. Hort.
Utilizing sustainable farming guru Cindy Connor's DVD, this course includes the movie and hands on instruction with worksheets.

Season Extension Structures Fee: $15
Sunday, October 17 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Center for Rural Culture, 3009 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063
Instructor: Backyard Farmers
Extend your garden's harvest throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons. You'll learn how to construct several structures, including coldframes, hoops, and solar cones.

Growing Fruit - Trees, Bushes, Ground Fee: $30
Saturday, November 6 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Center for Rural Culture, 3009 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063
Instructor: Michael Lachance, Extension Agent, ANR, Crop & Soil Science/Unit
Coordinator, VCE
This half-day workshop will provide you with a basic knowledge of growing your own fruit trees, bushes or ground fruit. You will learn first hand how to plant fruit trees.

Marketing for Small Farmers Workshops - Sponsored by:
Personal Marketing Plan for Farmers Fee: $15
Thursday, October 28 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Center for Rural Culture, 3009 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063
Instructor: Theresa Nartea, Marketing & Agribusiness Specialist, VSU, VCE
This class walks through the five basic steps of marketing, from realistic goal setting to finding actual people to buy your products. This is a must have class for any beginning farmer. Don't start planning next year without a marketing plan that will grow your business.

Social Media for Farmers Where to be on the Web: From Google Maps to Facebook Fee: $15
Thursday, November 18 6:30 - 8:30 pm
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Western Campus
1851 Dickinson Road, Goochland, VA 23063
Instructors: Theresa Nartea, Marketing & Agribusiness Specialist, VSU, VCE
Sandra F. Tanner, Tourism Development Specialist, Virginia
Tourism Corporation
Mark Klingman, Computer Literacy Expert, VSU Small Farm
Outreach
Virginia Tourism is collaborating with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) to train small entrepreneurs and existing local businesses on how to effectively use social media, like Facebook and Twitter, and self-list on Google Maps and Virginia Tourism web directories to boost business profitability.

Hosted By Center for Rural Culture
The Center for Rural Culture is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to educate, promote and inspire members of our community to sustain a culture that supports agriculture and the local economy, protects natural and historic resources, and maintains our rural character and traditions. Since 2004, we have been working hard to provide the members of our community with quality programs that serve to sustain our rural culture. As founders of the popular Goochland Farmers Market and now a licensee for an online Farm to Family Co-op Program through Lulus Local Food, we have helped to keep valuable agricultural land in use by providing a means for farmers to sell fresh, local, seasonal food and other land based products. We serve as a conduit for handing down the history, stories, music and lifestyles related to a rich, rural culture and have helped to cultivate our local roots.
We also offer classes, workshops, movies, panel discussions, seminars and forums relating to land and water conservation, smart growth, sustainable agriculture and issues relating to our local food system. Please contact us if you are interested in sponsoring or attending a CRC event.
The Center for Rural Culture serves as the umbrella organization for the Richmond Area Buy Fresh, Buy Local Chapter. We are also actively involved in supporting our community’s tourism and economic development through our popular Discover Goochland website.
Our choices make a difference every day. Please choose to sustain your community’s rural culture and make a difference through an annual membership with the Center for Rural Culture.

www.centerforruralculture.org


11.
October 5th: Speak for the Forest

Public meeting on the George Washington Forest Plan
Tuesday, October 5th
6:30 – 8:30pm
Augusta County Governmental Center,
18 Government Lane, Verona, VA (north of Staunton, VA)
http://vasierraclub.org/2010/09/gwnf/

Virginia’s George Washington National Forest is the largest National Forest in the eastern United States, stretching along both sides of the Shenandoah Valley, just a short drive away from cities and towns across Virginia. It provides high quality drinking water to Virginia ommunities as well as a home to a vast array of wildlife such as neo-tropical songbirds, black bears, and native trout. A healthy George Washington National Forest is vital to the health of our state, our people and our environment.

Forest planning has resumed and we need your comments now more than
ever! With the looming threat of climate change, potential natural gas drilling and logging, how will we best manage the George Washington National Forest to preserve the natural wonders and ecological integrity of one of the most accessible forests in Virginia? Come out on Tuesday to put in your two cents and help us to protect our forest.

Can you attend the hearing on Tuesday and have your voice heard for the
trees? RSVP and get more information here:
http://vasierraclub.org/2010/09/gwnf/

Contact: Antigone Ambrose (804) 225-9113 ext 103 or
antigone.ambrose@sierraclub.org


12.
October 3, Sunday
FALL FIBER FESTIVAL AND SHEEP DOG TRIALS
Montpelier.
This celebration of rural life includes sheep shearing and spinning demonstrations, Scottish dancing and border collies herding sheep. Montpelier. Directions: 11407 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station. Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am-4pm. $5 adults, children under 16 free. All ages welcome. http://www.fallfiberfestival.org/