upcoming events

Greetings All,

Below is a great collection of info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the near future in the central Virginia bioregion, including great events this weekend.

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 at Heritage Harvest Festival on Sept. 17
Calling all Blue Ridge Permaculture Network folks!!!
We are going to have a booth at the September 17th Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello. We are looking for about 10 awesome permaculture folks to sign up to help at the BRPN booth and talk permaculture, regeneration and local resources. Contact Christine at christinegyovai@gmail.com to sign up. Thank you!!!
http://heritageharvestfestival.com/

2.
Edible Ecosystems Emerging: Food Forestry for the 21st Century-
A 9-Day Forest Garden Design Intensive
With Dave Jacke, Matthew English, and Friends.
At Spiral Ridge Permaculture Gardens
and The Farm Community Center
Summertown, Tennessee
September 23-October 2, 2011
Forest ecosystems exhibit many beneficial properties we humans would be wise to emulate in our culture, agriculture and horticulture: they maintain, renew, fertilize and propagate themselves without human inputs; they build, store, and conserve clean air, clean water, nutrients, soil quality, and biodiversity; and they exhibit stability, resilience, and adaptability. These qualities emerge from the dynamics of the forest as a whole system, not from any one or more of the elements that comprise the forest alone. To design productive edible ecosystems that express these same qualities, we must understand forest structures, functions, patterns, and processes and use this knowledge wisely.

In this nine-day intensive course, you will dive deeply into the vision, theory, and practice of designing wholesome, dynamic, and resilient edible ecosystems using temperate deciduous forests as models. Dave Jacke and his teaching team will offer lectures, site walks, and experiential exercises to help you understand how the architecture, social structure, underground economics, and successional processes of natural forests apply in the design of edible ecosystems of all kinds. You'll learn a variety of ecological design processes while designing a range of food-producing ecologies at our host farm. We'll also engage with issues of garden management, economics, and the deep paradigmatic shifts required to succeed at cocreating “humanatural” landscapes and cultures. You will leave inspired and empowered to design food forests at home for yourself, and your friends, neighbors and clients.

Sliding scale (covers tuition and food): $1,100-$1,400. Amounts paid over $1,100 will go into the scholarship fund. Partial scholarships will likely be available. Contact the below for lodging information (some options on site, some off).

Sponsored by: Spiral Ridge Permaculture Gardens
Location: Spiral Ridge Permaculture Gardens and
The Farm Community Center, Summertown, TN.
To register or for info: 931-964-2375
www.spiralridgepermaculture.com
spiralridgepermaculture@gmail.com
-------------
Dave Jacke
Dynamics Ecological Design
308 Main St. #2C • Greenfield, MA • 01301
603-831-1298 • davej@edibleforestgardens.com


3.
Transition Charlottesville/Albemarle
Presents the 2nd in the ongoing series of Reskilling Workshops
Refilling cartridges & making business cards
When: Saturday July 23st , 2011
Where: Virginia Organizing 703 Concord Ave. C'ville
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Class limited to 12 people
Call (434) 987-1026 to make a reservation.
Bring your empties - each participant will have a chance to refill their cartridge

Future Workshops
3rd – solar oven & recipe cards August
4th – backyard chickens September
www.transitioncville.org


4.
July 16th, 5:30 p.m. Local Organic Potluck and Video, Social Hall, Unitarian Church
You are invited to a local, organic potluck, to be followed by a showing of "Cover Crops and Compost Crops in Your Garden," a 60-minute DVD featuring Virginia permaculturist Cindy Conner. Please bring a dish of local and/or organic food to share. Sponsored by the Green Sanctuary and cosponsored by Transition Charlottesville Ablemarle.
Located at Thomas Jefferson MemorialUnitarian Church at 717 Rugby Road. Charlottesville.
For more information please call Deborah at 296-9637. Free and open to the public.


5.
Sacred Plant Traditions classes
The Art of Fermentation
One-Day Class: July 23
10am – 2:30pm

Learn to make delicious lacto-fermented foods in this hands-on workshop. Fermentation is a traditional way of food preparation that not only preserves the harvest but also yields greater nourishment, a healthier digestive system, and thus increased vitality. We will make kimchi, brined garlic, lacto-fermented beets and ginger carrots, all of which can be easily incorporated into meals. We will also make some fermented and cultured beverages including kombucha, honey wine and sodas that are actually good for you. There will be a wide array of samples and you will leave with the skills necessary to begin lacto-fermenting foods at home.
This class will be taught by community herbalist, Suzanna Stone
Herbal teas will be provided at all the one day workshops. Please pack a bag lunch.
Fee for the class is $75. Deposit $30.

www.sacredplanttraditions.com

Six Week Introduction to Herbal Healing
Fall Session, Thursdays
September 22 - October 27
10 am - 12:30pm

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. The weeks fly by as we spend time in the classroom, the kitchen, the lab and best of all, the garden. 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 $225 (Deposit: $50).
Fee includes all materials & text.

www.sacredplanttraditions.com


6.
FOOD PRESERVATION RESOURCES

Thanks to a grant from the Farmers Market Coalition and the Ball Canning Jar company, Market Central is offering several events this summer in our "Discover You Can!" program. We have classes, market demos and such scheduled throughout the summer, and would invite you to check out the full schedule on our website: www.marketcentralonline.org. The jam class on 7/24 is full (wow!) but there are spots available in the 7/23 pickle class. Still to come is online registration for a water bath canning basics class on 8/20 with Leni Sorenson (think: peaches and tomatoes) - but there are many programs to spur your interest, including a collaborative class with the Local Food Hub on August 13.

Plus: save the date for a 'Canner's Celebratory SWAP', to be held Sunday, September 25th at the Haven. Details forthcoming.

At this moment, I have a room full of promotional materials, and want to share them far & wide -- well, at least further and wider than my dining room! -- and I'm sure I have many times more than needed for our purposes at the market. I'd love to get them into the hands of individuals/groups who will most benefit, which is why I'm posting to this list. I have thousands of copies of a nicely done, concise brochure on the basics of water bath canning, (courtesy of Ball) and this brochure includes several delicious looking recipes and tips. Additionally, I have thousands of 1.50 off coupons for Ball jars and 2.00 off their 'Canning Discovery Kit'. Yes, you heard me right: thousands. If you have a church group or civic organization that could put these coupons and brochures to good use, please let me know. I'll have them at the City Market at the Market Central booth - please stop by and pick up a handful, or a gross! Or email me, and I'll rendezvous to get them in your hands.

Thank you, thank you! and cheers to all you home canners out there!

Kathy Kildea
Market Central
P.O. Box 6459
Charlottesville, VA 22906
434.531.3957
marketcentral@bnsi.net
www.marketcentralonline.org


7.
Virginia Food Security Summit – Connecting Our Farms, Food, Health and the Environment
Save-the-Date – Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Alumni Hall, 211, Emmet St. South
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA

Hosted by UVa, Virginia Food Systems Council, VA Cooperative Extension, VA Tech, and Washington and Lee University
www.virginia.edu/ien/foodsummit2011
email:VAFoodSummit2011@gmail.com


8.
September 3 – 4, 2011
Reclaiming Our Natural Connections
and Building Community Resiliency with Jon Young

Sat. 9am - Sun. 3pm/ Free Evening Talk Friday Sept. 2 @6pm
Have you heard of The Last Child in the Woods and Nature Deficit Disorder? Are you curious about ways to increase the health and vitality of children and families, especially ways to unplug from media and get outside? Do you wonder about how to build and sustain community? If so, come to an evening talk and weekend workshop that promotes connecting with nature and community building, through timeless indigenous approaches such as storytelling, relationship and sustainability. Hear about an international movement that looks at ways to connect with nature and people, to live in balance with modern culture and the outdoors. Living Earth School is thrilled to bring our long time mentor Jon Young to Charlottesville, to share his inspiring words and vision. It is truly a not to miss weekend. Jon’s work and the work of The Living Earth School, is the kind of work that builds hope and creates a better place for our children and their children. This vision not only gives us the resilience to survive but to thrive in the years to come.
Our weekend is held at beautiful Camp Albemarle nestled among river, field and mountains. The program is held for adults and families are welcome, as there will be a children’s program for ages 5-8 and 9+ (space for children is limited).
Cost is a sliding scale of $200-$250 per adult, $75-$125 per child (food, camping and instruction included).

Jon Young is a national treasure and leader in the field of deep nature connection. His "Cultural Mentoring" approach to developing deep nature connection, holistic human awareness and advance peacemaking skills has spawned over 100 local deep nature connection organizations and initiatives in the U.S. and Europe. Inspired by his childhood mentoring with famous tracker and author Tom Brown, Jr., Jon is co-author of a new book on nature connection mentoring, "Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature," and currently works at the Regenerative Design Institute on the RDNA program. Visit his website at http://www.regenerativedesign.org
For more information, see: http://www.livingearthva.com/adult.html#john_young


9.
Stone Barns to Santa Cruz: The Role of Institutions in Local Food
5th Annual Local Food Project at Airlie Conference
Monday August 8 (all day) - Airle Conference Center, Warrenton, VA.
Harvest Dinner and Dialogue - Sunday August 7 at 7:00 pm

This year's conference will concentrate on the important contributions institutions can make in advancing a healthier food system. The conference will highlight successful models of institutional farm projects, food purchasing, farmer training and community outreach.
Featured presenters at the Stone Barns to Santa Cruz conference include Jill Isenbarger and Jack Algiere of the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture (Pocantico Hills, New York) and Patricia Allen and Christof Bernau of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Breakout sessions throughout the day will focus on a range of local food topics with applications to almost any institutional setting.
See: http://www.airlie.com/dine/images/LFP_CONF_BROCHURE.pdf to VIEW CONFERENCE BROCHURE WITH PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS & SCHEDULE!
For more information contact: Pablo Elliott, Director at 540-347-1300, ext 3163 or pelliott@airlie.org


10.
Appalachian Gothic Farm to Fork Gala - to benefit Appalachian Sustainable Development
Bristol Motor Speedway, July 27, 5:00 - 9:00 pm

Join us for a farmer's market under the stars featuring the creativity of raising, cooking and sampling fantasic, locally grown foods and regional artistic creations. Connect with local farmers and regional artists, purchase locally grown foods and hand-spun artwork, taste magnificent tapas prepared by Chef George, and enjoy great wines and local brews...all for a great cause!
Tickets are $20 if you prepay. Tickets are $25 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased at http://www.asdevelop.org or you can call us at 276-623-1121. Dress is casual.


11.
Mad City Chickens - a one time movie screening
Sunday July 17, 2:00pm - Byrd Theater, 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221

Advanced tickets on sale NOW! Seating is limited for this one-time Richmond showing. Tickets will only be available at the door on a first come, first served basis.
Mad City Chickens is a sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical look at the people who keep urban chickens in their backyards. From chicken experts and authors to a rescued landfill hen or an inexperienced family that decides to take the poultry plunge—and even a mad professor and giant hen taking to the streets—it’s a humorous and heartfelt trip through the world of backyard chickendom.
Please join us after the show for a Post-Movie Party and Book Signing by Pat Foreman, Author of City Chicks, Chicken Tractor and numerous other books. 4:30 - 6:00pm Ellwood’s Café 4 N. Thompson Street
The ordinances in Richmond and surrounding localities are outdated and unfair to folks who wish to raise a few hens (no roosters) in urban localities for food and fun. Join us and help us to spread the word about our wonderful egg-laying friends!


12.
Cob Over Building Workshop Saturday in Roanoke
Join Us This Saturday, July 16th Learn how and help us build a community oven, made from cob.
We’ll be leaving at 9:00am from the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op parking lot (behind the store) and carpooling to Charlie and Sonia’s permaculture homestead. Learn how to do a silt test, the many uses and types of cob, make your own brick and help build an oven. All are welcome, you can share with your friends.
Optional: stay for pizza after the workshop! Returning: 1:00pm, back to the parking lot. (returning later if opting for pizza)

More details: http://katuahschool.com/2011/07/04/cob-building-workshop/


13.
Common Good City Farm in DC - Upcoming Events
Farm-to-Street Party
July/16/2011
Celebrate local food at Washington DC’s first ever Farm-to-Street Party! Enjoy scrumptious dishes made with ingredients from local farms, local craft beer and wine. Engage with local entrepreneurs, chefs and non-profit organizations.
Growing Gardens Workshop Drip...drip - Drip Irrigation for the Patio & Small Garden
July/16/2011
Saturday, July 16: Drip...drip - Drip Irrigation for the Patio & Small Garden. 8:00am-10:00am. A hands on workshop for your own drip irrigation system.

SEE THE WEBSITE BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

http://www.commongoodcityfarm.org/events


14.
Do you want to be involved in making Charlottesville-Albemarle a more livable community?
Join the Many Plans, One Community Livability Partnership!
We are currently forming a Livability Partnership, made up of representatives from a wide array of community groups, to provide input into the planning process.
Please find a letter with detailed information about the Partnership as well as a sign-up form attached, or on our website: http://1-community.org/PDF/Partnership%20Invite%20Lttr%206.22.pdf

If you have any questions about Many Plans, One Community please let us know by contacting Summer Frederick, Project Manager, at sfrederick@tjpdc.org or Mandy Burbage, Planner II, at aburbage@tjpdc.org.



15.
We own 14 acres in Rappahannock County, Va., with a spacious 4BR house built in
1907 and a log cabin built in 1790. Located at the foot of Old Rag Mountain, a mile from Shenandoah National Park and right on the banks of the Hughes River, which originates in the Park.

We’re looking to rent the land, house, and/or cabin land to like-minded people who are into sustainable gardening, homesteading, healthy living and mutual benefit. We are oriented to flexible, affordable terms and are up for any deal as long as it’s win-win.

Property is very rural and magical, and conveniently situated midway between Washington DC and Charlottesville VA -- just about 1.25 hours from each. It
includes:
• 2+ acres of farming/ gardening bottomland (some needs clearing)
• Hillside land suitable for fruit trees and shade crops
• 4BR/1.5BA house, 2500 sf, with 2 porches and a large basement
• 2-over-2 log cabin with recently renovated kitchen and bathroom
• Excellent well water
• Large bamboo grove

Besides being ideal for sustainable growing, this is a wonderful place for writers and musicians, with a world-class resident muse who has already inspired myriad songwriters and writers. Nearby towns of Sperryville and Little Washington are hotspots for music, writing, live theater, great food.

If interested contact Kay at kk@infowomen.org.