Upcoming Events 

October 2016

Greetings all,
 Below is an amazing collection of upcoming events in the central Virginia bioregion!  Folks can sign up for the BRPN e-newsletter here.  Send us announcements to: blueridgepermaculture@gmail.com, or click here to view this email as a webpage. And check out the BRPN on Facebook here.

Best,
Christine, Terry, and the BRPN team
www.blueridgepermaculture.net 


1.  
Shape-shifting, Sensuality, and Slowing down: Connecting with the Spirits of Nature
November 10-13 in Berkeley Springs, WV

This is a 4-Day immersive and experiential retreat offered by Wild Spirit Healing Arts that will focus on ways we can shift from simply exerting our will in how we live, work and create on the Earth to the practices that allow us to work and live harmoniously with the wise and loving Spirit of the Earth. This workshop will teach methods for connecting with the spirits of nature for healing and to inform our decisions and is especially suited for people who work with the land in any way. However, we all ARE nature and this retreat can provide sublime encouragement and deep resources for anyone who wants to live with a more expansive, embodied, cooperative connection to Life.

For details on workshop topics, flow, and registration, please visit the Wild Spirit Healing Arts website: http://www.wildspirithealingarts.com/workshops.html.

The workshop is limited to the first 13 participants. Register by Oct 22^nd for an early bird discount.


2.
The 2017 North American Agroforestry Conference in Blacksburg, VA June 27-29, 2017

Please consider attending or submitting an abstract for the 2017 North American Agroforestry Conference to be held on Virginia Tech's campus from June 27-29, 2017. The conference is accepting submissions for oral presentations, posters, panels, and special topic sessions. Many permaculture systems include agroforestry practices and the Association for Temperate Agroforestry welcomes your ideas and experience. Abstract submissions are due December 9, 2016.

Come and join to learn about the latest advances in agroforestry research, practice, outreach, and policy; see innovative on-the-ground systems with agroforestry farmers; share your agroforestry experience, skills, and knowledge; and participate in pre-conference training and tours


3.
Stay tuned for future Permaculture Design Courses and events with the Shenandoah Permaculture Institute at: www.shenandoahpermaculture.co


4.
MEDICINE MAKERS GATHERING at Forrest Green Farm
October 29th, 2016  10-4
Harvesting Roots and Preparing For Winter
Projects planned for October Gathering:

• harvesting roots of burdock to take home ( use in soups,stir-fry, tincture, dry, pickle etc.)
• Make Burdock Pickles (pint Jar)
• Wild Cherry & Immune Boosting Cough Syrup (pint size)
• 1 Herb Honey (1/2 pint size)(your choice but traditionally we do elecampane honey sticks)
• 1 Hawthorne Heart Tonic Tincture ( 1/2 pint size)
• 1 Elderberry, Sumac, Ginger, Elixir (quart size)
• 1 Horseradish Cold & Flu Vinegar AKA Fire Cider (pint size)

Click Here for more and info


WINTER CSA at Forrest Green Farm:
Sign up now for November - January Session
Several options available for Forrest Green Farm's leafy greens, chicken, eggs, and teas.
Click Here for more info and pricing


5.
Learn how to grow great garlic in your own backyard with the Allegheny Mountain Institute:
Garlic is a delicious and versatile plant with incredible health properties and is normally planted in the late fall here in Virginia. Garlic expert Julianne McGuinness will share tips and advice on growing garlic, including a hands-on planting demonstration and discussion. The workshop will also include a tasting of different types of both hardback and softneck garlic.

Workshop will be held at the AMI Urban Farm
 at VSDB
on the campus of Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind,
located at 113 New Hope Rd in Staunton, VA. (MAP)
  


Workshop fee is $15.
Click here to register online with Staunton Parks and Recreation
Please register by November 4
 
For more information, contact Trevor at
trevor@alleghenymountainschool.org, or 540-886-0160


6.
From our friends at Transition Cville:
Tuesday 10/25 Cville TimeBank Orientation
5pm at the Northside Library
Everyone has something to give, and the TimeBank is a way to trade services and build community at the same time.  Potential members set up a profile on the member portal, and attend an orientation prior to having their Timebank account authorized.  Once your account is authorized, you can begin browsing current offers and requests – and post your own!  A second session is offered Tuesday, Nov. 8, 6pm at Mary Williams Center in the Jefferson School City Center.  cvilletimebank.com/membership-information/ 

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Wednesday 10/26  Medicine Maker Series:  Syrups, Oxymels and Fire Cider
6-9pm at The Elderberry, 1917 Commonwealth Dr.
Not a tea drinker and/or wanting to avoid alcohol-based herb preparations? Try an oxymel (a concoction of vinegar and honey)! Do you have lovely flowers in bloom that you want to preserve and enjoy throughout the winter? Try a honey! In this class you will learn how to make and oxymels, syrups and vinegars and their uses. You will experiment with making the above concoctions using a variety of herbs from heavy roots to flowers and leaves. The best part is the tasting!  $25. www.elderberryherbals.com/calendar/

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Thursday 10/27  Retrospective:  Waterpenny Farm
4-6pm at Albemarle County Office Bldg., Rm 235, 401 McIntire Rd.
Led by Eric Plaksin and Rachel Bynum of Waterpenny Farm in Rappahannock County, this workshop will share best practices and lessons learned from a small, diversified farm. An informal presentation and discussion will provide an excellent opportunity to learn from two talented farmers who have weathered the challenges of farm start-up to growing their business into a thriving operation that reflects their commitment to land stewardship.  $10.  RSVP to Adrianna@localfoodhub.org.

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Thursday 10/27  Remarkable Trees of Virginia with Jeff Kirwan
7-9pm at Ivy Creek Natural Area
Jeff Kirwan, professor emeritus at Virginia tech will talk about the “Remarkable Trees” project that resulted in the 2008 book, “The Remarkable Trees of Virginia,”  a stunningly beautiful presentation of the collaboration between the noted garden writer Nancy Ross Hugo and the photographer Robert Llewellyn.  Jeff will speak about the project and the program now called the Virginia Big Tree Program and Remarkable Trees Program.

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Saturday 10/29  Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms
9am-noon at Sharondale Farm, Cismont
Learn how to grow several different types of mushrooms using low-tech, low-cost methods in your garden or woodlot.  Get hands-on experience inoculating logs for mushroom cultivation.   Discussions will include biology and ecology of fungi, using mushrooms for personal and ecological health, and methods for cultivating shiitake, oyster, lion’s mane, reishi, and other mushrooms in wood, straw, and compost.  $75.  Sign up at www.sharondalefarm.com/workshops/.

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Saturday 10/29  Persimmon Festival
9:30am-3:30pm at Edible Landscaping, Afton
The persimmon is becoming a well respected addition to sustainable planting in every state in the US.  Large delicious fruits and a gorgeous tree. Tour the unique collection and savor some of the best persimmons from the world over. This is a great time for planting, and the festival offers tours and lectures, plus all plants are 20% off of regular prices.   Complete schedule of events at  ediblelandscaping.com/.

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Saturday 10/29  Introduction to Cheesemaking
11-noon at Fifth Season Gardening
If you’ve ever been curious about making cheese at home, join in for this free cheese-making demonstration. You'll learn all the basics of turning milk into cheese, PLUS you’ll get to sample some yummy treats as well!  Free.  fifthseasongardening.com/upcoming-classes-Charlottesville

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Tuesday 11/1  350.org Central Virginia Membership Meeting
6:30-8:30pm at the EcoVillage, 480 E. Rio Rd.
Come out to the Central Virginia chapter of this national movement and find out what you can do to help stop climate change.

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Thursday 11/3 Clean Energy Forum:  Exploring Wind and Solar
8:30am-12:30pm at the Paramount Theater
The Conservation and Beautification Committee of the Garden Club of Virginia presents a Conservation Forum on wind and solar energy.  This dynamic forum will feature speakers and panelists from government, private industry groups, and others.  $30.  www.theparamount.net/2016/garden-club-of-virginias-58th-conservation-forum-presents-clean-energy-exploring-wind-and-solar/

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Friday 11/4 Master Gardener Information Session
noon-1pm at the Northside Library
Enjoy gardening?  Want to know what volunteer services Master Gardeners provide the public?  Interested in applying for the Master Gardener Training Program?  Attend an information session to learn more!    piedmontmastergardeners.org/events/fall-information-session-1/

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Friday 11/4 Green Grannies of Charlottesville Rock the Vote
5:30pm at the central fountain of the Downtown Mall
The Green Grannies and other local environmental groups will gather to sing for climate action at the polls.  Come support them and help make climate action a top priorotiy for voters on Election Day!

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Sunday 11/6 Property Rights Revival
1-5pm at the Rockfish Gap Community Center, Afton
Come out and revive the spirit of the Constitution!  Music, refreshments, dynamic speakers, and games for kids.   Join the Friends of Nelson and other citizens, groups, organizations, and property owners along the routes of the ACP & MVP for a super-charged, foot-stomping, and exhilarating day of rejuvenation - celebrating and honoring our constitutional property and citizen rights! Bring the kids too ... they are our future!   friendsofnelson.com/calendar-event/property-rights-revival/

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Sunday 11/6 Casa Alma Open House
4-6:30pm at 911 Nassau St.
Casa Alma, Charlottesville's Catholic Worker community, sponsors an open house and community supper on the first Sunday of each month. Tours of this urban homestead and Q&A are from 4-5pm then food preparation and set-up from 5-6pm, with supper at 6pm.  All are welcome! Contact Laura at cvillecw@gmail.com for more information. 

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Saturday 11/12 - Sunday11/13 Herbal First Aid Kit
9am-5pm at the Living Earth School, Afton
Using herbs for first aid has been practiced as long as humans have been roaming this planet.  In this class you will learn some beginning herbal first aid techniques, including a basic wound salve and a bug bite/skin irritation salve, basic tincture making, Elderberry syrup, and how to make a poultice.  You will also make a bag to hold your first aid makings and a smaller pouch to hold your other first aid supplies such as bandages.  $225.  Register at  http://livingearthva.com/event/herbal-first-aid-kit-making-virginia/?instance_id=998.

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Saturday 11/12 - Sunday11/13 Artisans Studio Tour
10am-5pm at various studios
For one weekend every fall, artisans in Central Virginia open their doors for you to explore their working spaces. This fall see where they create; learn why they create; and examine how they create. It's a fun, unique opportunity and a great way to spend
a fall weekend!   Free.  www.artisanstudiotour.com/about/



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Sunday 11/13 Homebrew for Hunger
1-5pm at Fifth Season Gardening, 900 Preston Ave.
Come by to sample a wide variety of craft beers from local homebrewers and area craft breweries.  Whether you enjoy brewing your own, or just drinking the good stuff, this is a great opportunity to mix and mingle with folks who really know their beer.  With over 100 hand crafted beers flowing, Homebrew for Hunger Charlottesville is the place to be for beer lovers. You can also try small batches from craft brewers from across the region.  All proceeds will go to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.  $30.  homebrewforhunger.com/charlottesville/

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Visualizing Electric Vehicle Sales
Check out this fun graphic discovered by EnergizeCharlottesville! on the progress of EV sales:  energy.gov/maps/visualizing-electric-vehicle-sales.

Help wanted. Share your skills!
Transition worldwide is creating awesome local economies that care for people and the environment... and hopefully saving humanity from climate change while we're at it. It ain't easy, but it's FUN!

info@transitioncville.org
www.transitioncville.org
www.facebook.com/transitioncville


7.
From Common Good City Farm in DC
Next Saturday, October 29th, we will be combining our annual Season Closing Party with the LeDroit Park Civic Association to host a fun community day in the park.  Activities begin at 10am in The Park at LeDroit and include music & performances, crafts, Halloween costumes (for all ages & dogs, too), and opportunities for community members to provide input into future improvements to the park.  From 11 am-1 pm, Common Good City Farm will join in on the fun and celebrate an amazing 2016 growing season with a free cookout, cooking demo, soap making demo, and pumpkin painting.

The good news is, although the farm is "closing" for the season, we will be holding pop up Farm Stands into November.  Please check our website and social media outlets for Farm Stand announcements.

We hope to see you on the farm October 29th!


8.
Community Voices Presents Anthony Flaccavento
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA - October 24, 7 pm

Anthony Flaccavento is an organic farmer, innovator and sustainable development pioneer from Abingdon, Virginia. He will be the featured Community Voices speaker on Monday, October 24, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Alexander Black House, 205 Draper Rd., Blacksburg, VA. Following the talk, he will be selling and signing copies of his recently-released book, Building a Healthy Economy From the Bottom Up (University of Kentucky Press, 2016).

Anthony Flaccavento will participate in an informal luncheon roundtable discussion on October 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room C of the Graduate Life Center, 155 Otey Street. The roundtable will include a light lunch that is available for $5, or attendees may bring their own. Please, RSVP to Regina Naff by Friday, October 21 at noon to sign up for lunch (regina50@vt.edu and/or 540-231-6775).

For more information, interview requests, or if you need accommodations for the public presentation, please contact Andy Morikawa at the Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance: andymorikawa@vt.edu or (540) 230-1492 mobile.
The Community Voices fall series is sponsored by School of Performing Arts; Department of Landscape Architecture; Virginia Tech Graduate School; School of Public and International Affairs; Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education; Office of Associate Vice President of Engagement; College of Architecture and Urban Studies; Department of Political Science; and the Institute of Policy and Governance.


9.
Making the Food System more Just and Diverse - a public seminar by Karen Washington
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA - October 25, 11 am - 12 noon

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Diversity Council at Virginia Tech is excited to host food justice advocate and farmer, Karen Washington, from Rise and Root Farm
Karen Washington’s free, public seminar will be held on October 25th at 11 am in the Fralin Life Science Auditorium on the Virginia Tech Campus.

Karen Washington is a community activist, community gardener advocate, farmer, board member of the New York Botanical Gardens, and James Beard Foundation Leadership Award recipient.  She has worked with Bronx neighborhoods for nearly 30 years to turn empty lots into community gardens; co-founded the Black Urban Growers (BUGS) organization for growers in both urban and rural settings; and has traveled globally to talk about the importance of social justice and community resilience in our food and farming systems.

To learn more about Karen and her work, please visit:
www.nytimes.com/2014/09/21/realestate/urban-farmings-grande-dame-karen-washington.html?_r=1
http://www.riseandrootfarm.com/karen-washington/

Please see the attached flyer for more details. Thank you.


10.
Dine for a Cause - Anthony Flaccavento on Small Town Economic Success
Floyd, VA - October 25, dinner at 6, presentation starts at 7

Floyd, Virginia – Anthony Flaccavento, author of the new book, Building a Healthy Economy from the Bottom Up, will be the keynote speaker at SustainFloyd’s annual “Dine for a Cause” at the Floyd EcoVillage this Tuesday evening, October 25 at 6 p.m.  The evening features a beans and rice dinner and is free of charge. Contributions to SustainFloyd are welcomed.  There will also be a cash bar featuring wine and beer.  The event will take place at the Celebration Hall at the Floyd EcoVillage, behind Wall Residences, 718 Franklin Pike SE, Floyd

Everyone is invited. You do not need to be a member of SustainFloyd to attend “Dine for a Cause.”  There will be an opportunity to purchase signed copies of Flaccavento’s new book.

For more information, contact SustainFloyd at info@sustainfloyd.org, 540-745-7333


11. From our friends at VABF
Retrospective of Waterpenny Farm - Local Food Hub 2016 Workshop Series
Charlottesville - October 27, 4 - 6 pm

Don't miss our last workshop of the year!! Led by Eric Plaksin and Rachel Bynum of Waterpenny Farm in Rappahannock County, this workshop will share best practices and lessons learned from a small, diversified farm. An informal presentation and discussion will provide an excellent opportunity to learn from two talented farmers who have weathered the challenges of farm start-up, growing their business into a thriving operation that reflects a deep commitment to land stewardship.

Waterpenny Farm is a 10-acre vegetable farm in Rappahannock County, VA. Since their first growing season in 2000, Eric and Rachel have been committed to running their farm in harmony with the environment, using sustainable growing practices, with all organic inputs and no chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Their market outlets include farmers' markets, a CSA program, and on-farm sales, with a customer base that extends from the local community into the Washington DC / Northern VA  region.

LOCATION: Room 235, Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville - Please note this is NOT the County Office Building on 5th Street!

COST: $10

QUESTIONS? Email Adrianna Vargo, Director of Grower Services, at adrianna@localfoodhub.org .

Click here to RSVP


12.
Whole Farm Planning Program
Greene County Extension Office, October 27 and November 3, 6 - 8 pm 
        - or - Louisa County Extension Office,  November 9 and 17, 6 - 8 pm

Are you interested in starting or growing a farming enterprise?  Do you want to learn from other new and beginning farmers?  Come join us as we create a group of like-minded beginning farmers.  Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to later become part of a group that will meet and further explore topics of interest.  Program participants will also receive a copy of the entire whole farm planning curriculum.

There will be two sets of workshops- one in Greene County October 27 and November 3 from 6 pm - 8pm and one in Louisa County November 9 and 17 from 6 pm - 8 pm.

 http://offices.ext.vt.edu/greene/whats-new/whole-farm-planning-flyer.pdf

13.
Winter Conferences - Save the Dates
2017 Virginia Biological Farming Conference 
January 9 (pre-conference) -10-11 I(general conference) - Hot Springs, VA
Registration opens October 15 at http://vabf.org/conference/
Flyer attached

2017 Organic Agriculture Research Symposium
January 25-26 - Lexington, KY  - Held in conjunction with Southern SAWG Conference 
Scholarships available (apply by January 5), and the call for abstracts for presentations remains open through October 15.

2017 Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms - the 2017 Conference of the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
January 25-26 (pre-conference events, including OARS), and Jan 27-28 (general conference)
http://www.ssawg.org/january-2017-conference/