upcoming events

Greetings All,

Below is an amazing collection of info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the central Virginia bioregion, including a wonderful array of gatherings and classes. 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.
Sixth Annual Gaia Gathering for Women near Charlottesville
May 4 - 6, 2012 -- Weaving the Web of Community

Welcome to our Sixth 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. A tradition at Gaia is to change the theme and focus of our weekend every three years. We are continually cycling from self, to family to community then back again. This year our theme is Community and Connectivity. We will celebrate this through our classes as well as our Saturday night Beltane ritual where we will celebrate collectively as versus our traditional intention setting circle.

Again, this week end fills as we are limited to only 100 Women. Fee for the weekend is $275. This includes Friday night to Sunday afternoon classes and activities, rustic lodging or camping and five 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. Learn more at:
http://www.sacredplanttraditions.com/gaia.html

Check out our Great Summer Classes at Sacred Plant Traditions

June 30: Designing an Herb Garden
July 1: Kitchen Apothecary
August 11: Digestive Wellness
August 12: The Art of Fermentation

http://www.sacredplanttraditions.com


2.
Forrest Green Farm

PLANTS : culinary & medicinal herb plants, heirloom vegetable plants, heat loving flowers and decorative plants will be ready mid-April. Plant lists and updates available on our website http://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/greenhouse-gardens/plants-for-sale/

SUMMER COURSE OFFERINGS:

WHOLE LIVING FROM THE GROUND UP - May- October 2012
A foundation course on organic herbal living with the cycles of nature. Learn by growing, harvesting, nourishing, and healing with the herbs and vegetables as you make them part of your everyday life. This is a very hands-on class! You will take home something from every project that we do. This allows you to immediately start using your new skills to enhance your life. For a complete list of topics that we cover and dates check out our website http://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/classes-events/whole-living-course/summer-whole-living/

MEDICINE MAKERS
If you have a foundation in the use of herbs, you know how expensive it can be to purchase herbal medicines. Here is an opportunity made possible by Forrest Green Farm to gather in community with fellow herbalists and create medicines fresh from the herb gardens here at the farm. Each month you will learn what herbs will be available to create a variety of nutritive and medicinal herbal items that may include vinegars, honeys, tinctures, oils, salves and flower essences. You can come each month, or choose the dates and herbs that interest you. Medicine Makers will share knowledge around specific plants each month that include their healing properties both on physical and energetic levels. You will be encouraged to get to know the plants from which your medicines are made and the importance of intention in the creation of herbal medicines. We will gather once a month 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. For a list of each months projects check our website http://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/classes-events/whole-living-course/medicine-makers/

Forrest Green Farm, Louisa, Va
(540) 967-1165; (434) 882-2648
www.forrestgreenfarm.com


3.
Mushroom Club Foray at Ivy Creek Natural Area in Charlottesville
Sunday, April 22, 10:00 am
Mushrooms! Come help start a local mushroom club. Join our organizational foray at Ivy Creek. Bring your excitement, knowledge or lack thereof, mushroom field guides, and organizational skills. We'll start in the Education Building with a few slides, plan for a bit and then go out and look for mushrooms in the Natural Area. Free and open to all.

Growing Mushrooms at Home: an Introduction to Permaculture of the Fungi.
Learn about mushroom biology, ecology and cultivation of mushrooms in the garden and woods. Demonstrations include simple outdoor methods for growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. We will inoculate logs and install a gourmet mushroom bed in the garden. Each person will take home a bag of spawn to start their own mushroom garden. April 7th. 9am-12pm. Sharondale Farm, Cismont, VA (http://shop.sharondalefarm.com/)

Firsthand Farmers Cooperative is accepting subscriptions for the 2012 CSA season. We will offer all the excellent fresh and nutritious local farm products we had in 2011 and more. Our CSA offerings are the most diverse from small family farms and businesses in Central Virginia: vegetables, fruits, herbs, eggs, dairy products, mushrooms, flowers, bread, slow-roasted coffee, ferments, and canned goods. Check out www.firsthandfarmerscooperative.com for more details about this excellent way to eat local food.


4.
Tom Tom Founders Festival is a new creative festival in downtown Charlottesville celebrating original music, public art and community innovation. To learn more about TTFF, please visit www.tomtomfest.com.

As part of the innovation programming, we are planning a locavore expo on May 12 from 10am-2pm as an extension of the Saturday Farmers' market. Our local food movement is a powerful example of community innovation and we want to highlight you, the people who make it all possible. The locavore expo will be a medley of local food tastings, chef demonstrations and hands-on gardening activities as an extension of the Charlottesville Farmer's Market down South 1st street to the downtown mall. We will be hosting a seed and starts exchange and kids activities throughout the expo.

If you are interested in participating, please email Natasha Sienitsky at cvillelocavore@gmail.com. Please forward to anyone you think might like to be involved/attend.


5.
Permaculture Work-Exchange/Room (Board) with Employment Opportunities

The Silver Sage House and Studio: Ctr. for Transformational Studies, a 1991 classic-styled Victorian house located in Charlottesville, VA, is offering short-term and long-term room and board in its first level’s private furnished studio apartment for a permaculture small-farming and training work exchange, now available immediately. Throughout the year, the Silver Sage House and Studio offers unique and beautiful mountain view lodging accommodations. An ideal choice for a Virginia getaway, this educational/recreational and residential hub is a tranquil, 10-acre all-natural, sustainable small farm located just 4 miles from Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall in close proximity to a wide variety of area attractions.

At present, this permaculture farming work exchange is now at the very early beginning stages that consists of a couple fruit-bearing apple trees, several raised garden beds and rain barrel equipment ready to be installed. Furthermore, there will be much more opportunity to expand creative sustainability. Our vision is to include more gardening and farming plots that will require managing food preparation, preservation, and production, as well as raising chickens and grazing goats within a food co-op for training purposes.
Therefore, this plan could offer additional employment opportunities that could include tours, classes, and workshops. Along with these offerings, we can also even envision a part-time café that may promote energy saving, creative living and the merits of producing local, healthy foods.

Please contact: Linda Capacchione (434) 296-1338


5.
Cville Bike mApp Project Launch Event
Saturday, April 14th, 9:30am
Martin Luther King Jr Performing Arts Center at Charlottesville High School

On April 14th the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will release the Cville Bike mApp, a free, bike route mapping application for iPhone and Android phones. The App allows cyclists to record their trips and send the trip information to the MPO for transportation planning purposes. With an expected decrease in federal transportation funding, this data will help elected officials better determine where to target limited available funds for future cycling enhancements and improvements. This is the first time in the U.S. that data from mobile bike route tracking software will be used to help inform a long range transportation plan. Come find out more about the project!

More info on the project at: http://www.tjpdc.org/cvillebikemapp/index.asp


6.
Panel: Neighborhood/Community Planning
Tuesday, April 17th, 7-9pm
The Bridge PAI, 209 Monticello Road, Charlottesville

In cooperation with AIA Architecture Week. A who’s who of architecture and planning will discuss what makes this place so special and explore new models for community development. More at http://www.thebridgepai.com/2011/12/monticello-road-photography-by-peter-krebs/


7. Place Based Innovation: Social Entrepreneurs of Cville
Wednesday, April 18, 7pm; Venue TBA in Charlottesville

The Tom Tom Festival’s "Place Based Innovation" series looks at Social Entrepreneurs, individuals who strengthen our community and create collective value through capacity building and investment. At the center of this conversation will be two new initiatives in Charlottesville. The first is a new small business development program, the Community Investment Collaborative, who are taking a class of entrepreneurs through a 14 week training program. The second initiative is the Charlottesville Institute, an organization The Charlottesville Institute working to promote innovation and social change by harnessing the intellectual resources of UVa for the betterment of the Charlottesville community.

More at: http://www.tomtomfest.com/events/evententry/social-entrepreneurship


8. Community & School Gardeners Network with a Purpose
Thursday, April 19, 5-7pm
Sojourners UCC, Charlottesville

Join fellow gardeners to network with a purpose! Learn what's happening now in community/school gardens locally and participate in a facilitated discussion on ongoing challenges and opportunities, including:
1. Joint marketing of programs
2. Recruiting & maintaining volunteer support
3. Tool & seed sharing
4. Regular info-sharing so no one reinvents the wheel
5. Creation of a more formal network to raise profile of and support for local community/school gardens

Please RSVP to programs@thecne.org to confirm your attendance and forward this invite to anyone you think should be included. In your RSVP, we welcome your suggestions for other discussion topics.


9.
On-Farm Twilight Veggie Growers Meetings
May 22nd – Berry Simple Farm – Rick Crofford
June 19th – Waterpenny Farm – Rachel Bynum and Eric Plaksin (VABF members, organic CSA)
July 10th – Evergreen Acres – Jim Gehlsen (Organic vegetables, some no-till)
August 14th – Fauquier Education Farm

Virginia Cooperative Extension invites you to attend a series of on farm vegetable growers meetings scheduled from May through August. These meetings will be held at local farms in the area; a schedule of meetings is listed on the back of this letter.
We will meet at the host site at 6 pm for a tour of the farm, followed by a discussion of timely management practices. Virginia Cooperative Extension specialists will be available to address specific production topics and to examine foliage and insect samples from your farm. Light refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP to the Fauquier County Master Gardener help desk @ 540.341.7950 ext 219# or to tohlwile@vt.edu. There is no fee for attending.
Sincerely, Extension Agents Tim Ohlwiler (Horticulture), Jim Hankins (Small Farm Outreach), and Kenner Love (Crops and Soils).


10.
New Branch farm part-time work opportunity

We have a small farm, New Branch Farm, near Charlottesville and are looking for farm help 8-20 hours a week/ flexible schedule. We grow on an acre and sell the vegetables, strawberries, and flowers at City Market on Saturdays. Work would include greenhouse work (seeding and repotting), planting in the field, irrigation, weeding, harvesting, etc. The position could be several weeks or all season depending on the person's interest. If you are interested in talking more about the opportunity, email me at newbranchfarm@gmail.com

NEW BRANCH FARM
Charlottesville, Virginia
www.newbranchfarm.com


11.
99% Spring Action Training
Sunday, April 15th, 12-7pm
Location: 2303 Fontaine Ave., Apt 4

Drawing inspiration from Occupy Wall Street and Madison, Wisconsin, over 40 movement leaders and organizations have called for a 99% Spring, for citizens to train ourselves in non-violent action and join together in the work of reclaiming our country.

Our local Charlottesville workshop will focus on the planning and practice of non-violent direct action. The course is a broad overview intended for any group or individual interested in NVDA, and centers on non-arrestable actions. Any group or individual who is interested is invited to attend!

Visit http://civic.moveon.org/event/99spring/128817 to register.


12.
Green Building Institute’s Youth Environmental Coalition 2012
Youth ECo 2,000 sq.ft. Rain Garden Install & Celebration!
APRIL 14 - APRIL 20; Planting - Celebration

The Youth ECo (Environmental Coalition) Rain Garden Initiative is a program created by students for students and the community to learn about and engage in sustainability education and activities. This movement's goal is for long-lasting partnerships to be formed, students of all ages to get involved in an environmental project, and to ultimately help the health of our Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

rsvp to 443.733.1234; info@greenbuildinginstitute.org


13.
Common Good City Farm in Washington DC
Come celebrate with us as we begin our fifth season!

RSVP and come celebrate with us! Live music provided by Straight Up Tribal and food donated by Bacio Pizzeria and Fresh Start Catering.

April 14th, 2012 11:00 AM through 1:00 PM
334 V Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-559-7513
Email: info@commongoodcityfarm.org


14.
Bread for the City is seeking a Coordinator for a group of
organizations and individuals working to create a food policy council
in DC. (Job description below and here.) Our vision is for a
nourishing community in which all Washington, DC residents can enjoy a
nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate diet provided by a local,
sustainable food system that fosters health, equity, interdependence,
and self-reliance. This position will coordinate the formation of a
robust, representative advisory body to realize this vision.

We're looking for someone to start in early April, so please help us
get the word out to your networks asap. Posting is here:
http://www.breadforthecity.org/get-involved/work/now-hiring-coordinator-dc-food-system-organizing-workgroup/.
Share away!

Full blog post with an update on the efforts of this group is here:
http://www.breadforthecity.org/2012/03/over-a-year-later-working-towards-a-food-policy-council/.


15.
Come Join Us at our third culturEvolution Camp
August 4th to August 12th

In Floyd County, Virginia

We invite you to join us on an eight-day adventure in co-creating a space for:
Deepening – Our relationship to the earth, each other, and ourselves
Exploring – Our individual, social, and global dynamics
Creating – Our next steps toward a
• more vibrant,
• meaningful,
• and delight-filled life

Come have fun and be nurtured in your personal evolution through movement and meditation, healthy food and river swims, creative language, ritual and music.
Share connection in a dynamic and experiential process of exploring the art of symbiosis and deep ecology.

www.culturevolution.info


16.
Barkslip’s Fruit School in West Virginia

Fruit Camp April 27. 28, 29

For those seeking their PhD in fruit
(Piled higher and Deeper)
Location and Dates:
Advanced Fruit School; Union, WV: May 4, 5, 6
This special 3 day session of advanced fruit school is exclusively offered to graduates of fruit school.
With the elementals behind us, cumulatively we can explore the leading edge of fruit and nut culture. All the while we will be developing a cooperative roundtable learning environment that appreciates all that want to contribute. Topics will be lead by Professor Barkslip, but open participation and discussion of information will be encouraged. There will be some hands on instruction and a field trip to Barkslip's nursery will be offered.
http://www.barkslip.com/fs_schedule.html


17.
You are invited to a reception to celebrate and support
C I T Y SCHOOLYARD GARDEN in Charlottesville

Please come for drinks, appetizers & conversation
Sunday, April 22nd at 7 p.m.
337 Monticello Road, Charlottesville

the home of Tim House and Wendy Philleo
RSVP by April 16th to Guinevere Higgins
foxgloveg@gmail.com or 434.806.6157

cityschoolyardgarden.org


18.
You Are Invited! A Taste of the Farm 2012 – Local Food Hub in Charlottesville, VA
Date: May 5, 2012
Time: 10am – 3pm
Cost: FREE!

Last year we had a blast, and this year we’ve got even more exciting things planned. Bring the whole family, stock up on healthy organic plants for your garden, have a picnic, and just enjoy a beautiful spring day on the farm. Check out what’s on the agenda:
· Pick up some organic and heirloom plant starts for your garden! Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, flowers, and more!
· Bring the kids and play some music with Blue Ridge Music Together!
· Pick up some farm fresh produce and eggs at our farmer’s market.
· Take a self-guided farm tour and see what we’re up to!
· Help us paint a mural and plant some seeds with City Schoolyard Garden.
· Take some photos in our photo booth with Lucy O Photography!
· Grab some food from Feast! and Vanguard Ranch, have a picnic, and enjoy the farm life!
RSVP on Facebook, or just show up! Interested in volunteering? Send us an email: info@localfoodhub.org.

Directions:
The farm is located at 7129 Scottsville Road, Scottsville VA, 24590.
· From the I-64 / 20S intersection (exit 121):
· Take Route 20 South towards Scottsville for approximately 15 miles.
· Maple Hill Farm will be on your left (there is a sign).
· The Farm is located approximately 2.5 miles past Green Mountain Country Store.
· Please use caution when turning in the driveway! People often drive very fast on Route 20, and the driveway is a bit of a blind turn. Use your signal early and often!
Questions: info@localfoodhub.org or (434) 286-2176.

http://localfoodhub.org/events/you-are-invited-a-taste-of-the-farm-2012/


19.
The Age of Limits gathering
Friday May 25th thru Monday May 28th, 2012
Memorial Day Weekend at Four Quarters

·Workshops for Understanding and Adapting to Decline

• Localized food production, transport and consumption.
• Debt based finance, fiat currencies and the global economy.
• Climate change, the current state of the science.
• Personal energy production and shelter creation.
• Fossil fuel production and consumption metrics.
• The new extended family and local community.
• Flexible livelihood and living in place.
• Understanding the limits of renewable energy systems.

For more information call or write our offices at
814-784-3080, office@4QF.org
or visit us at AgeofLimits.org and 4QF.org