January 2014
Greetings all,Below is an awesome collection of upcoming permaculture, sustainability and farming events in the central Virginia bioregion, including some wonderful upcoming classes and workshops. If you know anyone else that would like to sign up for this newsletter, they can sign up here. If you have an announcement, email us at blueridgepermaculture@gmail.com for the next monthly e-newsletter. Click here to view this email as a webpage. Happy New Year!
Also – check out the BRPN Facebook page and feel free to post:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/blueridgepermaculturenetwork/
Best,
Christine, Terry and the BRPN team
www.blueridgepermaculture.net
1.
PVCC Workforce Services Introduction to Permaculture Class,
Mondays from 6:00-8:00 pm from January 27 through February 24, 2014
This introductory course taught by Emily Axelbaum from the Blue Ridge Permaculture Network and Mark Jones from Sharondale Farm explores permaculture as a systematic design process for developing landscapes and social relationships that meet human needs and increase ecosystem health. A focus on principles and processes will empower both beginners and practitioners to use permaculture design to build resilience in our community.
www.pvcc.edu/docs/workforce_services_spring_schedule.pdf
2.
Awakening Our Original Design: Nature Communication & Connection Practices for Personal and Cultural Transformation with Jon Young
February 8-9, 2014
**Evening Talk 2/8 open to the public Charlottesville, Virginia
"A culture is working when it connects people to people, people to themselves, and people to nature" Jon Young
Join us along the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Charlottesville, VA for a weekend with internationally known wilderness educator and cultural mentor Jon Young. He is the author of What the Robin Knows, Coyotes Guide to Connecting With Nature, and a series of audio lectures Seeing Through Native Eyes.
This workshop will explore:
-Techniques developed by ancient cultures to nurture nature connection and uncover personal gifts and abilities. Jon will demonstrate how you can access these techniques today.
-The 8 Shields nature-based model (or map) for healthy culture, community, and learning. This is the map Living Earth School uses to mentor people into powerful connections with nature, self and community.
-Hear stories from Jon’s 30+ years of mentoring individuals and communities that demonstrate these ancient patterns for connecting deeply with nature and help us to understand our own unique gifts.
This workshop is for parents, mentors, grandparents, instructors, teachers, environmental educators, community organizers, permaculturists, and more. This is really for anyone who wants to deepen their relationships with nature, family, friends, and neighbors.
To learn more please visit www.LivingEarthVa.com
3.
Virginia Association of Biological Farming
Richmond-Midlothian, VA - Jan. 31 - Feb. 1
We are making it easy to be early! The Early Registration Deadline for the Virginia Biological Conference has been extended to December 15th. Don't miss out on the special early rate - click here to register today!
Pre-Conference Workshops
Richmond-Midlothian, VA - Jan. 30
Also, take a look at our intensive pre-conference workshops. The following three day-long workshops require a separate ticket purchase and have limited space available.
- Wholesale Success - FamilyFarmed.org
- Profitable Management of a Diversified Organic Vegetable & Flower Farm - Stacy Brenner & John Bliss, Broadturn Farm
- Biodynamic Gardening & Beekeeping - Gunther Hauk, Spikenard Farm & Honeybee Sanctuary
4.
Southern SAWG Annual Conference
Mobile, AL - January 15-18, 2014
This year's Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference, sponsored by Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (Southern SAWG) will take place at the Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, AL. Events start on Wednesday January 15, with a choice of four Short Courses (lasting 1 1/2 days, ending Thursday at noon).
The general conference on Friday and Saturday offers the usual wide range of breakout session topics, and networking opportunities by state and by interest area. See attached flyer for more - note that the featured speakers includes VABF member Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. For more information or early bird registration (through December 20), click here.
5.
2014 Growers Academy Roanoke, VA
February 25 – April 1 • Tuesdays, 6-9 pm;
March 15 and March 29 • Saturday, 9 am – 1 pm
The Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center is offering the fifth annual Growers’ Academy, an 8-session series specifically designed to help new and transitioning agricultural businesses succeed. Focused on sustainable farming methods and business models, the course presents low-input crop production techniques and resources for launching your own agribusiness. Instructors include resource professionals and farm business owners. The Tuesday evening classes are offered at the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center in the Roanoke Higher Education Building at 108 North Jefferson Street; the Saturday sessions consist of farm tours at nearby locations.
Tuition for this 8-session course is $225.
Limited scholarships are available, please inquire.
Click here for more information and online registration.
Josh Nease
Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Manager
108 N. Jefferson Street, Suite 701, Roanoke, VA 24016
Phone: (540) 553-2311 or jnease@vt.edu
6.
Whole Farm Planning Workshops - VSU Beginning Farmer Program
Jan. 24th 2014 - R T Arnold Library, 110 E. Danville St., South Hill, VA 23970 (Preregister by 1/17/14)
Feb. 6th 2014 - Wedgewood Golf Center, 2131 Mountain Rd., Halifax, Va. 24558 (Preregister by 1/31/14)
Feb. 20th 2014 - Surry Co. Extension Office, 45 School St., Surry Gov. Center, Surry, Va 23883 (Preregister by 1/14/14)
The VSU Small Farm Outreach Program is proud to invite you to our new VSU Beginning Farmer Program Workshops. These workshops will cover the materials included in Module 1, Intro to Whole Farm Planning, of the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program.
These workshops will be free and open to any Beginning Farmer (producer who has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10 years). The Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program requires completion of Module 1, Intro to Whole Farm Planning, as a requirement for participation in the Virginia Farm Mentoring Program.
Lunch and light refreshments will be provided. All workshops will be from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Visit the VBFRCP website to learn more about our whole farm planning curriculum, mentoring, and state-wide programming.
Please register with Jim Hankins at jhankins@vsu.edu or call (804) 892-4492.
7.
VABF is offering three separate intensive workshops on Thursday, January 30, 2014 (one of which continues Friday morning, Jan 31), at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Richmond, VA (same location as the VaBF Conference). These workshops require a registration ticket purchase separate from the Conference and have a limited number of spaces available.
Thursday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm & Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Wholesale Success, Family Farmed.Org, Oak Park, Illinois ** Note this time change from original schedule
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-virginia-biological-farming-conference-and-preceding-vabf-workshops-tickets-8819795245?ref=ebtn
8.
Grow - 2014: A Celebration of Trees
Saturday, March 8, 2014, 9 AM - 3:30 PM
VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics Lexington, Virginia
Come join us for Grow - 2014: A Celebration of Trees, a premier horticultural symposium in 2014. Featured speakers are two renowned tree horticultural experts:
- Michael A. Dirr, diverse author, plant innovator, gifted teacher and speaker.
- Nancy Ross Hugo, author and columnist, skilled horticulturist, educator and speaker.
The symposium will be held on the campus of Virginia Military Institute in the recently constructed Center for Leadership and Ethics.
Symposium proceeds will benefit the Boxerwood Nature Center and Woodland Garden.
To be placed on our email list or for specific information on Grow - 2014, send an email to info@grow-2014.com.
9.
Cville Foodscapes Design Discount
Don't scramble in the Spring! Springtime is our busiest season, and our calendars book up fast. Now is the best time to contact us to begin design for Spring installations.
Contact us by February 15th and catch a 10% discount on design services.http://cvillefoodscapes.com/
10.
The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast
Written by Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, this new book gives home gardeners of the Southeast the regionally-specific information needed to succeed in our hot, humid climate. Learn more and snag your copy here.
11.
New City Arts Forum: Art, Food, and Community
March 6th - 8th, Charlottesville, VA
Food is something that our world considers necessary for human existence, whereas art is often seen as a luxury. And yet those who work in either the sectors of food or the arts (whether it be artists and farmers, patrons and chefs, or arts enthusiasts and foodies) seem to be working along parallel lines to address issues that we face in our modern world.
Artists, professors, curators, directors, chefs, writers, farmers, and foodies will present on a wide range of topics—Community Supported Art models, land-use art, food-based sculpture, art- and food-oriented social engagement, and everything in-between.
More, including registration information, here.
12.
Nature Wellness Programs ™ www.naturewellnessprograms.com
The 'MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS' ~Valentine-Making Group!
Led by LINDA CAPACCHIONE , LPC with NATURE WELLNESS PROGRAMS at River's Edge Wellness CTR, a conveniently located indoor/outdoor location on the picturesque Rivanna River & Trail in Charlottesville,VA.
FOR MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS OF ALL AGES. *(Group size is limited to no more than 14 participants.)
On FRIDAY AFTERNOON 4-6pm ~ Feb. 14, 2014~ Cost range for 2/$45-*$70 includes supplies; *optional scholarship donation beyond $40. Full/partial scholarships may be available by request if applicable.
FOR MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION, PLEASE CALL LINDA @ (434)296-1338 OR EMAIL
linda@naturewellnessprograms.com.
From our Friends at Transition Cville
13.
Saturday 1/25 (last one was 1/11) Garden Planning & Design Workshops
1-3pm at Living Energy Farm, 1022 Bibb Store Rd., Louisa VA 23093
Jan. 11 will cover topics such as fertility, crop rotation, and succession planting. Jan. 25 will focus on garden planning for seed saving. At both workshops we'll offer suggestions on what to plant, and some seeds will be available for sale. Weather permitting, these workshops will take place 1-3 PM at LEF, following a morning work day and a potluck lunch. All of these workshops are offered free of charge, but donations of labor, building materials, or cash are gratefully accepted. Please RSVP livingenergyfarm@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
14.
Mondays in January: Bicycle Repair & Maintenance Workshops, Starts 1/13
7-9pm at Woodfolk House, 912 Woodfolk Dr.
From Alexis Zeigler/Living Energy Farm: The first workshop (Jan. 6 postponed) will focus on judging quality and selection of a good bicycle, and how to ride in cold weather. We will start working on tire repair in the first workshop, and continue with tire repair and general lubrication in the second workshop (Jan. 13). In the third workshop (Jan. 20), we will demonstrate how to rebuild bearing (in wheels, bottom brackets, pedals, etc.) The fourth workshop (Jan. 27) will continue with maintenance and repair instruction, as well as road safety skills, based on how much we cover in the first three. Feel free to bring bicycles that need attention, and we will help you work on them as time allows. All of these workshops are offered free of charge, but donations to LEF of labor, building materials, or cash are gratefully accepted. Please RSVP livingenergyfarm@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
15.
Tuesday 1/14 Craft Cville: Craft Supply Swap
6-8pm at Firefish Gallery, 108 2nd St. NW
Come and purge your craftiness! Clean out your craft closet and bring any unused, gently used or unwanted craft supplies to share with fellow crafters. Feel free to bring unfinished or abandoned projects... Maybe someone will finish it and make it a masterpiece! $3 at the door.
16.
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Tuesday 1/14 StreamWatch Training for new Bacteria Monitoring Volunteers
5:30-7pm (times vary for other workshops)
StreamWatch is the Rivanna Watershed’s local stream monitoring organization. Our office is located in Charlottesville, and we monitor sites throughout Charlottesville and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene and Louisa Counties. In 2012, StreamWatch launched a special local bacteria monitoring program, which helps to detect potentially harmful levels of E. coli in our waterways. StreamWatch is seeking more volunteers to help monitor bacteria levels. Sites are located in and around Charlottesville, and most sites are monitored once per month. Full training will be provided. Workshops will be held on January 14, 18, 23 and 26. For more information or to sign up for a workshop, please visit http://streamwatch.org/volunteers or contact Rose Brown, Monitoring Program Manager at 434-962-3527.
17.
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Wednesday 1/15 Arts Incubator Monthly Dinner
6:30-8:30pm at McGuffey Art Center
Join The Bridge and McGuffey Art Center for a night of sharing and food, as local artists, writers, musicians, and designers meet to talk about work and build relationships. Revolutionary Soup provides two kinds of soup, so bring a bowl. This month we're expecting a larger group since we're teaming up with McGuffey, so please feel free to bring something sharable to eat or drink. Free.
18.
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Friday-Sunday 1/17-1/19 Transition Launch! Training
6pm Friday, 8am-5pm Saturday and Sunday, Salem/Roanoke, VA
Want to get more involved in the Transition movement? The Transition LAUNCH! course provides a detailed introduction to the most important skills necessary to successfully set up, develop, and run a Transition project in your community. It’s designed for people who are already in a Transition group working to achieve this, or are thinking of creating such a group. The Transition movement is a grassroots campaign dedicated to developing environmental resilience within local communities. More information available at http://www.transitionus.org/event/transition-launch-training-salem-va, or contact daniel.jay.waters@gmail.com.
19.
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Tuesday 1/21 350 Central Virginia Meeting
6:30-8:30pm at Charlottesville Friends Meetinghouse, 1104 Forest St.
350 CVA, the first officially recognized Virginia chapter of international 350.org, meets on the third Tuesday of each month. At least one hour of the monthly meeting is set aside for activist program work. Everyone is welcome, from high school students up to adult seniors. Light refreshments are provided. We seek to grow in numbers and effectiveness, specifically effectiveness for changing our future to one that is safe from the looming, catastrophic amount of climate change that science predicts, unless we quickly and greatly reduce or replace our use of coal, oil and gas for energy.
20.
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Monday 1/27 2014 Albemarle County Agri-Business Marketing Conference
8am-1pm at the Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Rd.
A special opportunity for vineyard owners, crop farmers, livestock farmers, and all those in between farm and table who help serve locally-sourced food. Panel discussion topics will include lines of business to supplement farm income, small farm marketing, social media, where to sell, food regulations, Buy Fresh/Buy Local guides, and branding and marketing resources. Registration is limited to 85. Early bird registration before Jan. 1 is $15 ($25 afterwards). Register online at www.cvsbdc.org. Sponsored by Albemarle County Economic Development and the Central Virginia SBDC. For more information contact Susan Stimart at 434-296-5841 ext. 3263.
21.
Open House on Wednesday, January 15th, 2014 at the Prince Edward County Cannery and Commercial Kitchen. Reservations are not required but appreciated. If you are unable to attend but would like to schedule a separate tour, please contact us via Info@VirginiaFoodWorks.org. The goal of the facility and our services is to increase the number of local value-added food products in the marketplace. We have been offering commercial food processing assistance since April of this year and the project has been met with much success. We have assisted in the production of thousands of jars of various recipes, using a majority of Virginia-grown ingredients. Examples include tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, onions, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, concord grapes, peaches, edamame, carrots and apples.
For more information, please see our two websites detailing commercial food processing options: Virginia Food Works, a non-profit providing hands-on assistance to food producers interested in renting the facility for their own use: www.VirginiaFoodWorks.org
Homegrown Virginia, a fee-based contract packing company that provides full-service processing—taking fresh ingredients and processing them into labeled containers ready for resale: www.HomegrownVirginia.com
We hope to see you at the Open House!
Prince Edward Cannery and Commercial Kitchen
7916 Abilene Road
Farmville, VA 22903
434-960-8958
22.
Feb. 1-29, 2014 Seminar
Permaculture Through the Heart – Training in Bali
Jiwa Damai Retreat Center
http://jiwadamaibali.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/permaculture-through-the-heart-seminar/
23.
OFRP Surveys Still Needed
Dear Virginia Farmer,
My name is Lorien MacAuley, and I am a Master’s Student in the Department of Agriculture and Extension Education at Virginia Tech. I would like to invite you to please spend 15-20 minutes of your time to fill out an anonymous online survey for the On-Farm Apprenticeship Research Project (O-FARP). O-FARP is researching how farm apprenticeships are currently structured, common practices, how learning occurs in farm apprenticeships, and the types of farms that host apprentices.
If you are a Virginia farmer, farm manager, or other supervisor who has worked with apprentices, please click here to fill out the survey.
For the purposes of this research, an on-farm apprentice:
- May be referred to as apprentice, intern, or on-farm student
- Is over 18 years of age
- Works on the farm for a specified length of time
- Can be paid or unpaid
- There is an expressed agreement that the farmer teaches them how to farm.
You were selected for this invitation based on your involvement with Extension. Your participation is in no way required or compulsory. Your identity will remain anonymous in all resulting documents, published materials, and findings from the study. There are no known risks to participating in this study, and the benefits include informing how agricultural service providers might best serve and support on-farm apprenticeships. If you have complaints, suggestions, or questions about your rights as a research volunteer, contact the staff of Virginia Tech’s Institutional Review Board, at 540-231-4991.
If you would like to learn more about O-FARP, please e-mail me at lorien@vt.edu, or, feel free to call me anytime, at (703) 789-7748. Thank you very much, in advance, for your involvement in O-FARP! Survey can also be accessed at: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9Rd3E7LZeDCmWih
Sincerely,
Lorien MacAuley
24.
New Farming Opportunities Listed at VABF.org
The following ads are now up on the Opportunities page of our website!
- APPRENTICE
- CARETAKER/FARM MGR
- EXPERIENCED FARMER WANTED
- ORGANIC FARMING INTERNSHIPS
- Broadfork Farm
- LAND MANAGER
- Kinloch Farm in The Plains
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