upcoming events

Greetings All,

Below you will find info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the near future in the central Virginia bioregion—info below on a BRPN potluck, Dave Jacke’s Feb. workshop and upcoming Permaculture Design Courses.

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. BRPN Potluck and upcoming workshops

Blue Ridge Permaculture Network potluck and seed swap on Friday, Feb. 4th in Charlottesville at 4:30 pm before Dave Jacke's community talk, which starts at 7 pm (workshop and talk announcement below - feel free to forward it to your networks - thanks!). We hope to have a time to get together to hang out, hear what people are working on, and plan strategies for how we, and how BRPN, can support each other's efforts. Bring utensils, a dish to share and seeds to swap (yours or extra seeds you have to trade).

The potluck will be in the middle school of the Mountaintop Montessori school in Charlottesville. Note that the middle school is at the far end of campus, and there is limited parking available right next to the middle school as well as at the campus. Directions may be found at the website:

http://mountaintopmontessori.org/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=3


Upcoming Blue Ridge Permaculture Network classes

The Blue Ridge Permaculture Network will offer a spring Introduction to Permaculture workshop and a fall Permaculture Design Course over three 4-day weekends: Sept. 9-12 Oct 7-10, Nov 4-7, 2011 (with childcare).

Gardening Like the Forest Workshop with Dave Jacke, author of Edible Forest Gardens
near Charlottesville, VA in February 2011

Friday Evening Public Talk:
February 4, 2011, 7-9 PM; Suggested donation $10 at the door.
Gardening Like the Forest: Home-Scale Ecological Food Production
At Mountaintop Montessori Community Hall
Healthy forests maintain, fertilize, and renew themselves, naturally. Wouldn’t you like to grow an abundant food-producing ecosystem like this in your back yard? You can! Edible forest gardens mimic the structure and function of natural forests through all their stages of development and grow food, fuel, fiber, fodder, fertilizers, farmaceuticals, and fun. We can meet our own needs and regenerate healthy ecosystems at the same time! This talk introduces the vision of forest gardening with some scientific background, a few living examples, and a sampling of some useful perennial edibles you can use in your own garden. The ecology of forest gardening can also teach us some interesting things about how we might organize human societies. Contact Terry Lilley at tygerlilley@gmail.com or see the website www.blueridgepermaculture for more information.

Weekend Workshop with Dave Jacke:
February 5-6, 2011, 9 AM – 5 PM, with a Saturday evening lecture.
Gardening Like the Forest: Designing Perennial Polycultures
Effective perennial polycultures combine useful perennial plants into vegetation patches that minimize competition, create additive yields, and minimize the gardener’s work and outside inputs. Guild and polyculture design are the most interesting and challenging part of the forest garden design process. This in-depth, intermediate-to-advanced workshop explores the specific ecological theories behind polyculture design through experiential exercises and games. Participants will design perennial polycultures together using a variety of design processes. We’ll also explore the implications of what we learn for the design of ecological human cultures. No prior experience necessary!

The cost for the weekend is a sliding scale of $250-$295. A few work trade positions are available for partial tuition; inquire soon about work trade guidelines and availability.
Contact Terry Lilley at tygerlilley@gmail.com or see the website www.blueridgepermaculture for more information.


2.
New Community Project is pleased to announce we will be teaching a Permaculture Design Course in Spring 2011 in Harrisonburg. This 72-hour certification course will be headquartered at our new Sustainable Living Center, at 715 N. Main St. in Harrisonburg.

Based on patterns and processes of ecological systems, permaculture is the art and science of creating healthy and resilient human environments abundant in food, water, shelter, energy, and community. This course will focus specifically on exploring sustainability strategies for the Shenandoah Valley, and participants will emerge as a thriving practitioner network, each with the ability to design and build gardens, homes, and communities modeled on living ecosystems.

This ecological design course covers such themes as: permaculture ethics and philosophy, ecological system understanding, organic food production, design concepts and techniques, natural soil improvement, edible forest gardening, aquaculture, healthy buildings and human settlements, renewable energy systems, local economies, mushroom cultivation, and much more. Hands-on work and play, group discussion, site tours, lecture, design projects, and work parties will all be used to facilitate a dynamic learning environment.

The dates for the four weekend, 12 day course are: Feb 18-21, Mar 11-13, Apr 8-10, and May 14-15. Cost is a sliding scale from $500-800.

Please contact Adam at ncppdc@gmail.com for details, or to register or read more, see the website:

http://ncpharrisonburg.wordpress.com/perma/


3.
Erik and Lindsay Curren, founders of the online magazine Transition Voice, and of the group, Transition Staunton Augusta, will give a talk Fri, Jan 28, at 7pm at Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist (717 Rugby Road).

The Currens will describe their organization's efforts to educate their community about peak oil and climate change and strengthen the local economy and food system. Transition Staunton Augusta, which is one of 75 Transition Initiatives in the U.S. and over 650 worldwide, aims to help its community prepare for a lower energy future by ramping up support for the local food system, local businesses, energy conservation, and clean energy. For more information, see transitionvoice.com or http://transitionstaunton.org/. Sponsored by TJMC-UU's Green Sanctuary Task Force. Free.

If you've never heard of the Transition movement, here's a 5-minute video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGHrWPtCvg0&feature=related

If you've got 18 minutes, this one goes into greater depth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8meWY0W40OA&feature=related

For more information, contact Nancy at nhurrelbrinck@gmail.com.


4.
Carbon, Our Energy Future, and You: A Community Workshop
The City of Charlottesville, the County of Albemarle, and the University of
Virginia are hosting a Community Workshop inviting the public to learn more
about ongoing initiatives related to energy opportunities and impacts, including
recent efforts to identify effective energy management strategies.
Cost: Free
Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Note: Display Stations will be available for viewing
in the Lobby all day on January 26th
Place: Albemarle County Office Building
Auditorium and Lobby
401 McIntyre Road
Charlottesville, VA
Further information: www.charlottesville.org/agreencity

5.
Farm Work – Charlottesville area farm

Looking for a Farm Assistant for 2011 season. Would be responsible for all aspects of field work (seeding to harvesting of vegetables, flowers, and herbs) and selling at weekly farmers markets. Season would be March-November. Minimum of 1 year farming experience is required. This position would be a good fit for a person with some experience who wants to have more responsibility and learn more about all aspects of running a farm while receiving guidance and mentoring. Receives a weekly stipend with possibility for bonus based on season/sales (bonus reviewed 3 times a season). For more information: contact Steph at newbranch@ntelos.net


6.
A screening of Queen of the Sun about bees, on Sunday, Jan. 23 will be at the Haven at First and Market in Charlottesville from 4-6:30 pm. To learn more about the film, visit www.queenofthesun.com.


7.
Gardeners for the Bay is a free “pledge program” for people who love to garden and want to keep our rivers and streams clean. We have Gardener for the Bay members all across the state and try to offer various workshops – from professionals like you – to help further educate and engage them in Bay and Eco-friendly gardening and growing. For example, we helped host a workshop on composting last fall and winter gardening last winter season with local earth-friendly gardening groups and non-profits.

If you have ideas on how we could partner on any events or workshops please let me know!

Thanks for your time,
Jess

Jessica Barton
VA Grassroots Coordinator
1108 East Main Street, Suite 1600
Richmond, VA 23219
804-780-1392


8.
Anyone interested in having their own piece of land to garden? International Community in Greene County has garden space for individuals that don't have their own garden space or would prefer to garden with others. A great way to share your knowledge, techniques, and watering time etc. with other local Gardeners. Plowing, tilling, water, and a small greenhouse are available. Grow for yourself, share with your friends, or sell your extras at the local farmers market. Call or e-mail David for more details. 434-985-7895 or mrbillybobjimbo@yahoo.com


9.
Folks, there will be an onslaught of attacks on the EPA because of the ruling to deny the permit for the Spruce No.1 Surface Mine, outlined here on EPA's water quality page (linked below). The EPA needs to hear from people like us who believe that atomic-bomb-style mining in West Virginia and Kentucky needs to cease. Mountain top removal mining destroys more plentiful, legitimate mining jobs that go with environmental integrity. Communities in West Virginia are having their land, air and water quality poisoned by extensive, dangerous mining practices unchecked by most state and federal regulatory and environmental agencies.

Please share this email with your friends and look for the "Contact us" link on this page:
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/guidance/cwa/dredgdis/404c_index.cfm


10.
GROWING COMMUNITIES WORKSHOP

From: The American Community Garden Association(ACGA)
www.communitygarden.org
Who: Gardeners, leaders, educators, volunteers, supporters of
community gardens, food justice advocates, master gardeners, and
others seeking to use community gardening to meet their program
objectives and create healthy communities.

What: Two-day interactive workshop giving participants the tools to
enhance community building and leadership development through
gardening.
Meet other people in the C-ville community, have fun, and leave with
new ideas!

When: Friday Feb 4 - 8:30 am-5:00 pm Saturday Feb 5 - 9:00 am-
4:00 pm

Registration includes BOTH Friday and Saturday !

Where: CitySpace 100 5th ST NE Charlottesville,VA 22902

Cost: $75 per individual, sliding scale based on ability to pay.

Fee includes: ACGA membership (invaluable for most, $30 for everyone
else),
Growing Communities Curriculum ($35 value)
2 days of workshop w/ breakfasts and lunches!

RSVP: Register online: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/141988

Contact: Healthy Food Coalition (434) 987-1026
www.HFCusa.org@gmail.com

Specific Workshop Topics include: Community Organizing, Leadership
Development, Grassroots Fundraising Basics, Asset-Based Community
Development, Communications Planning, Coalition Building, Diversity,
Meeting
Facilitation and Group Decisions.

Participants receive the “Growing Communities Curriculum,” a 352 page
resource workbook, which includes curriculum materials that walk the
reader through the process of conducting training workshops.