addendum: upcoming events

1.
Transition Charlottesville/Albemarle monthly meetings on the 4th Monday (the next one is Feb. 27) at the downtown Charlottesville library in the McIntire room. 6:30 pm for a meet-and-greet potluck followed by a meeting. For people to get on the email list sign up at the www.transitioncville.org website.


2.
Unity's Love University Presents
What is an EcoVillage? Why is it Important?
With Douglas Olson
Tuesday, March 6
7-9pm in the Sanctuary at Unity Church in Charlottesville
Ecovillages are urban or rural communities of people, who strive to integrate a supportive social environment with a low-impact way of life. To achieve this, they integrate various aspects of ecological design, permaculture, ecological building, green production, alternative energy, community building practices, and much more.

Topics Include:
* Understanding Eco-concerns and need for Eco-Action
* Experiencing a meeting conducted with awareness of Dynamic Governance
* Awareness of Permaculture, Transition Towns, Zero Energy Dwellings, Restorative Circles, and Living Machines.
* Charter for Compassion

Douglas Olson has been a member of Unity of Charlottesville for over twenty years. In addition to being a business owner and entrepreneur, Douglas has been an active member of a men’s group, an actor with Presence Center for Applied Theatre Arts, a member of a Compassionate Communication (aka NVC) practice group, is the senior active member and past president of Vinegar Hill Toastmasters Club, and co founder of Peace Talks. Douglas has taught public speaking to Public Housing Association of Residents (PHAR Interns) in Charlottesville for five years and (and NVC for one year). Douglas has active plans to establish an eco-village in Charlottesville.
Conservation Innovation Grants in Virginia - Call for Pre-proposals
Due date for pre-proposals is March 30.
http://www.unitycville.org/activities/activities.htm


3.
Virginia Beginning Farmer Connections - a new blog for beginning and aspiring farmers

Kelli Scott, Farm Mentor Coordinator for the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Project, announces a new blog for beginning farmers, the VIRGINIA BEGINNING FARMER CONNECTIONS, which can be accessed at: http://news.cals.vt.edu/vabeginningfarmer/, or through the Coalition website;http://www.vabeginningfarmer.org
Once you go to CONNECTIONS~, you will see a Contact page & an About page, which has a lot of info on the blog management. The blog posts are housed in 4 different categories; Home (General), Equipment/Farm Related Sales, Farmer/Mentoring/Internship Opportunities, and Land.
Home contains general posts about the project, events, and opportunities.
Equipment / Farm Related Sales contains the Virginia Beginning Farmer Marketplace, a classified section for anything farm related, Wanted or For Sale.
Farmer Mentoring / Internship Opportunities contains posts related to job postings, apprenticeships, internships, volunteer programs, mentors, work study, etc...
Land contains posts related to land wanted, land for sale, leases, landowners looking for beginning farmers, etc...

If you have something to post to VIRGINIA BEGINNING FARMER CONNECTIONS, or if you have any questions about the new blog,
e-mail Kelli Scott at kescott1@vt.edu, or 540-315-5884.

Also, check us out on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Virginia-Beginning-Farmer-Rancher-Coalition/239686926056659


4.
The 2012 VABF Farm Tours

Tour 1 - Mattawoman Creek Farms
Eastville, VA - Saturday March 3, 1:00 - 3:30 pm

This tour features winter vegetable production in unheated greenhouse and tunnel structures, and mechnaical cultivation of vegetables on permanent raised beds. Mattawoman Creek Farms, owned and operated by Rick and Janice Felker, produces certified organic vegetables, fruit, and herbs on 44 acres of Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Tour 2 - All-Farm Organics
Louisa, VA - Sunday, June 10, 2:30 - 5:00 pm

This tour, hosted by William Hale, will cover commercial scale composting and organic grain production. William has had 20 years experience growing organic grains, and has grown USDA certified organic cover crop and popcorn seed for the past several years, as well as conducting a commercial composting operation.

Tour 3 - Dayspring Farm
Cologne, VA - Date TBA - Late July or early August

The topic of this tour, hosted and conducted by Charlie and Miriam Maloney, will be summer high tunnel production. Dayspring Farm is operated with ecological and sustainable practices, and its CSA is now beginning its 27th year.

Tour 4 - Blenheim Organic Gardens
Washington's Birthplace, VA - Sunday, October 7, 2012, 1:30 - 4:00 pm

Fall season vegetable production at this 20-acre certified organic farm in the Northern Neck region of Virginia will be the topic of this tour.
http://www.vabf.org/


5.
Future Generations (future.org) and Future Generations Graduate School (
future.edu) are seeking an Executive Director. The Executive Director will
provide strategic leadership to advance the shared mission of both
organizations, which operate under the same roof and are dedicated to
promoting equitable and sustainable community change and conservation.
Future Generations, the international civil society organization has been
recently re-cast as an Incubator of Social Change Innovations. The
accredited Future Generations Graduate School of Applied Community Change
serves as the education arm that extends the innovations through currents
students and a global alumni network that is engaged in applied research
and community action. Both organizations focus on empowering the world?s
most marginalized populations for social change?and in parallel, engaging
communities and government at all levels in partnerships to be active
stewards of the natural environment.

Nominations and inquiries from those who wish to apply may be submitted to:

Future Generations & Future Generations Graduate School
Attention: Ms. Rebecca Vaus, Coordinator
Historic Circleville High School
PO Box 36
81 Price Way
Circleville, West Virginia 26804, USA

Telephone: +1 304.358.2000 / Fax +1 304.358.3008
Email: rebecca@future.edu


6.
Neighborhood Fruit
Great info and mapping website:
http://neighborhoodfruit.com/home


7.
Permaculture Design Certification Course
March 10th-17th at George Mason Univ.

"Permaculture is the conscious design of “cultivated” ecosystems that have the diversity, stability,& resilience of natural ecosystems. It is a harmonious integration of people into the landscape in such a way that the land grows in richness, productivity, and aesthetic beauty. " – Peter Bane, Permaculturist

The Mason Sustainability Institute is excited to announce that we will be offering a Permaculture Design Course on March 10th-17th, 9:00am – 6:00pm at George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus. The course will be sponsored by the Office of Continuing Professional Education. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate in Permaculture Design, as well as Continuing Education units.

Course Topics and Activities Include: Ecological Design Principles, Observation of Landscapes in Northern Virginia, Ecological Patterns (Site Analysis, Pattern Language, and Relationships), Broad Scale Strategies, Designing Human Settlements (Bio regionalism, Business Models, Eco Villages), Healthy Soils and Organic Food Production, Climate
and Energy, Water in the Landscape, Trees in the Landscape, Animals and Community, and a Design Exercise and Presentation to the class completed by the student. Note - Some of these activities will be off of the George Mason University Fairfax Campus. Transportation will be provided for any off-site activity.

Dates: March 10th - 17th, 9:00am-6:00pm.

Location: George Mason University Fairfax Campus, University Hall, Room 3300.

Instructor Biography: Rev. Marjani Dele, a permaculturist for 6 years, has been using and growing medicinal herbs in desert and temperate climates for 35 years. Dele’s bioremediation training came during her Katrina response stint. Her permaculture certification comes from the Financial Permaculture Institute and Design Resource in Tennessee. Mentors include Cliff Davis, Kevin Guenther and Matthew English. She consults and is currently organizing a sustainable living demonstration on family land in Victoria, Virginia. A grandmother, Christian minister, special education teacher, cultural artist, and social weaver, she is very experienced in cultivating “human soil.” Her current passions include sharing ancient wisdom, environmental stewardship and involving youth in sustainable living practices.

Price: $800. Price includes breakfast, lunch, and all materials needed for the weeklong course. Parking is also included.
Scholarships will be available upon request.

Register: Send a message to msi@gmu.edu or call 703-993-7725 if interested in this course or for scholarship opportunities. You can also register online at http://www.regonline.com/permaculturedesigncourse.


8.
Job Title - Warehouse Team Member

Company Name - The Fresh Link

Location - Locust Dale, VA

Industry - Local Food Distribution

Time - Part-time (Mondays, Thursdays, & Fridays)

Years of Experience - 1 year of general work experience

Education - High school degree

Salary - $10/hr

Required Skills

Organized

Self-motivated

Good communication

Working Conditions

Excellent driving record

Ability to lift 30 lbs

Ability to work outside

Main Duties & Responsibilities

● Adhere to strict safety and quality standards

● Organize and fill produce orders for customers in a timely manner

● Learn vegetable and fruit varieties

● Possess a valid driver's license and a good motor vehicle record

● Must have a positive and upbeat attitude, even in heavy traffic and unusual driving conditions

● Must be hard working and self-motivated

● Must have excellent verbal communication skills

Please contact Mollie Visosky at mollie@thefreshlink.com to apply. Include a brief explanation of interest and a resume.