Blue Ridge Permaculture Network

Friday, September 3, 2010

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Greetings All,

Below you will find info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the near future in the central Virginia bioregion.

For more information about permaculture events, see our website: www.blueridgepermaculture.net. 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

1.
Stop by and see the Blue Ridge Permaculture Network table, with permaculture demonstrations, at this year's Heritage Harvest Festival, which will take place Saturday, September 11, 2010, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on the West Lawn of Monticello and the new Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center in Charlottesville, VA. Thanks to Vicky, Terry, Denise and the BRPN crew for being at the table!

For more info, see: http://heritageharvestfestival.com

2.
Appalachia Rising. A mass mobilization to end mountaintop removal.
Announcing the nation's largest summit and day of action to end mountaintop removal:
Appalachia Rising
September 25 to 27, Washington DC.
Mountaintop removal has already destroyed over 500 of the world's oldest mountains, more than 2,000 miles of streams, and has contaminated our nation's waters. Stand for the abolition of mountaintop removal with the named and unnamed heroes of coalfield organizing and celebrities Woody Harrelson, Ashley Judd, Gloria Reuben, Ed Begley Jr., Kathy Mattea, Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Bacon, Darryl Hannah, author Silas House, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and climate scientist James Hansen on the Monday, September 27 Day of Action!

Register Now! Click here or go to www.appalachiarising.org/registration/reg1.php
Join people from across Appalachia and America in building the movement to abolish mountaintop removal and create sustainable economies from the ground up: mobilize your friends, family, and community for Appalachia Rising by filling out this 5 question form by clicking here.

________________________________________

Solutions Journal has dedicated an issue to MTR
For a Sustainable and Desirable Future
See the article on Coal River Wind in the Appalachia Issue of Solutions.
On newsstands, by subscription and freely available Online - a Special Appalachian issue of Solutions….

Appalachia is a special place—one of the most biologically diverse and culturally rich regions on the planet. Central Appalachia has the potential to become a national model of the positive transition to America's clean energy future. Please visit www.thesolutionsjournal.com.

Please help support Coal River Wind
www.CoalRiverWind.org

3.
Join us August 12th for music and a movie at the Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville!

Appalachian Voices Board and Staff along with NRDC invite you to a gathering to celebrate how far we have come and to keep us fired up to win the battle against those who would tear down our mountains and pollute our water through mountaintop removal coal mining.

Come be inspired by the award-winning documentary, Coal Country followed
by music from the Judy Chops, a great local family band whose music is
featured in the film.

Help us build momentum by coming out to our "music, movie and movement-
building" event. If you have already seen the film, introduce a friend to the issue with some great music and company!

Get tickets (only $5) before it sells out!

7 PM - Doors open, cash bar opens
7:30 - Abbreviated showing of Coal Country
8:15 - Music from "The Judy Chops"
Get tickets at jeffersontheater.com or by calling 800-594-TIXX

More on the movie and musical entertainment:
Coal Country reveals the high cost of America's electricity, focusing on
mountaintop removal coal mining, in which the tops of ancient mountains are blown off to expose coal seams, and the rock and dirt dumped in valleys, obliterating headwater streams. In the film, we hear from activists who are fighting to stop this controversial practice, which is devastating water quality, forests and communities in the region, and from coal miners and officials who are fighting for their jobs and way of life.

The Judy Chops are a family band who were raised immersed in music, living through sound. Their music spans generations and genres. Music that moves your souls and makes you move.

See you there!

Kayti Wingfield
Wise Energy
Coalition Coordinator
540.470.0643
www.WiseEnergyForVa.org
www.iLoveMountains.org

4.
Between now and August 15th, Transition Studio [an educational sustainability organization started by one of the previous graduates of the Blue Ridge Permaculture class] is in the running for a 5,000 grant and needs YOUR help!

Please vote for Transition Studio, a non-profit start-up in Blackstone, VA who has been selected among many organizations across the country to be in the top 10 of Brighter Planet's 5,000 grant for this month!! Each Person can vote 3 times! [you can even click on the green bar at the top to sign in through facebook REALLY easily! (otherwise it takes less than a minute to create an account)]

please vote for us!!! we have been selected among many organizations across the country to be in the top 10 and have a real chance of winning with YOUR help!

http://projectfund.brighterplanet.com/projects/TransitionStudio

thanks for your help! [tell all your buddies] + feel free to follow us on facebook at "Transition Studio"

5.
Edible Landscaping Chicken Tractor workshop

Chicken tractor workshop will be at Edible Landscaping in Afton on Saturday August 28 at 10:00 A.M. Pierre Constans will be talking about chicken and their behaviors. We will be drilling and hammering. There will be chicken: Araucanas, black Australops, Cukoo Marans. For further information call Janet or Michael at 434-361-9134 to register.
www.ediblelandscaping.com
361 Spirit Ridge Lane Afton, Virginia 22920.

6.
Betty's 2nd Annual Potluck Picnic!
Riverview Park, Sun, Sept 12, 2010 3-5pm

Join us SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, from 3-5pm at RIVERVIEW PARK for a free family-friendly celebration of earth-water and all things green! Bring your own reusable bottle, place setting, and a side-dish to share. We will be giving away FREE water saving kits and a RAIN BARREL, Brita filter, Relay Foods gift basket and a dual flush toilet converter to lucky raffle ticket winners (5$ each or 5 for $20). We will have music and fun for kids including trash bowling! Riverview is near the new Onesty pool in the Woolen Mills area at the end of Chesapeake past Questions? email betty@betterworldbetty.org.

www.betterworldbetty.org

7.
Join CSBA, the Regional Manufacturing Institute (RMI), U.S. Green Building Council Maryland, B Lab and Senator Jamie Raskin on September 13, 2010 to celebrate the end of summer and Maryland’s passage of the nation’s first Benefit Corporation legislation.
Learn more about this innovative, first-in-the-nation legislation that will permit Maryland businesses to assume a new corporate form called the “Benefit Corporation” allowing investors and entrepreneurs to make money while making a difference. Hear brief remarks from and have a chance to ask questions of local business and political leaders about this landmark legislation and how it meets the needs of sustainable business leaders:
What’s a Benefit Corp and why would I want my business to become one?
How could it help my business and why is it important for our movement?
How does it actually work and what are the legal pros and cons for my business?
Come network with other sustainable business leaders and learn how you can benefit from this new legislation! Pre-register online by September 10, 2010.
WHENMonday, September 13, 2010
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM networking, heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM program and Q & A
8:30 PM – 9:00 PM networking and informal discussion
WHEREPSA Financial
11311 McCormick Drive, 5th Floor
Hunt Valley, MD 21031-8622
Free parking in front of the building
COSTCSBA/BLB/RMI Members $20 on or before Sept 10th / $30 thereafter
Guest/Non-Member $30 on or before Sept 10th / $40 thereafter
Student Member $20 on or before Sept 10th / $30 thereafter

http://www.csballiance.org/pages/monthlymeeting.html

8.
Market Central invites you and your family to experience the sounds, smells, and tastes of small farms in the Charlottesville area. The City Market is home to these growers on Saturday mornings, but the rest of the week, they are hard at work on their farms, and on Labor Day, they invite you to visit their farms, and to “Meet Yer Eats!”

This year, we have 18 farms to choose from! From apples to zucchini, these growers provide a bountiful supply of vegetables, fruits, cheeses, meats and plants to the Charlottesville City Market community. They are proud of the work they do, and rightly so! These growers work hard at raising their crops while being responsible land stewards.

We encourage you to browse the website for more information on the farms, many of which have special programs and tours scheduled on tour day. Whether you’re looking for tips to improve your home garden, or just want to get the kids outdoors, this tour is for you! Whichever farms you choose to visit, you’re sure to enjoy getting this unique, inside look at some of your favorite City Market farms!

So c’mon -- Meet Yer Eats!
Kathy Kildea
Market Central
Farm Tour Coordinator

www.marketcentralonline.org

10 AM to 4 PM
18 Farms
$10 per car in advance
$15 per car day of event
marketcentralonline.org

We're also in need of volunteers to staff greeting tents on tour day.
Volunteers get a free car pass for the tour! Sign up for either a morning or afternoon shift, and get the rest of the day to visit other nearby farms! Email us for more information and do it quickly while you can have your first choice of farms!

Radical Roots in Keezletown is also participating in the tour, and they have a guided farm tour scheduled at 2:00 on 9/6/10 http://www.marketcentralonline.org/market_central_site/Radical_Roots_Farm.html

The Innisfree Village Farm Environmental Services (near Crozet) projects are an exploration into the potentials of developing a farm business model that will focus primarily on providing environmental services through land husbandry.

The Environmental Services Tour at Innisfree Village will include a walking and talking presentation of a soil carbon sequestration project. We will look at baseline tests that have been performed by a third party verifier and talk about the challenges and opportunities presenting themselves at are current stage of the project.

As part of our walking tour we will watch a demonstration of a Keyline subsoiler and discuss the unique elements of Keyline large Acre Permaculture Design. In addition to the keyline subsoiling, we will visit areas of the farm that we are experimenting with compost teas, sea minerals, and applications of raw milk. Finally, we will watch a demonstration of Holistic Planned Grazing, a system of grazing management that builds soil fertility and contributes in substantial ways to the carbon sequestration project.

This special tour will last approximately 2 hours and will happen rain or shine (there are some fascinating things to see when it rains!) All “Meet Yer Eats!” car pass holders are welcome to attend.

Please RSVP to Peter at farm@innisfreevillage.org for this special tour so that we can plan for handout materials.

9.
Common Good City Farm in D.C.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Common Good is happy to celebrate the summer’s bounty in partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Red Fruit Festival, highlighting regional farmers and connecting them with local chefs. This year’s fruit is an easy hit: the tomato! The Festival is holding a recipe contest open to food bloggers, home cooks, gardeners and tomato-enthusiasts – prizes will be awarded for best use of local tomatoes!

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Find more information and registration links at our Growing Gardens page.

August 14: Uncommon Uses for Common Herbs (third in a series of four herb workshops). 11am-1pm. Parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme -- you grow them in your garden and use them to flavor your cooking, but how else can they benefit you? Learn medicinal uses for the herbs in your spice rack, including fennel, mint, oregano, chamomile, and catnip by making teas and brews in this hands-on workshop. Teacher: Tricia McCauley of http://www.nutriciaconsulting.com/.

August 23: Preserving Summer Bounties. Monday, 5pm - 7pm. Naturally fermented pickles, sauerkraut and kimchi - Learn how to make healthy, naturally fermented foods in just a few days with simple tools and supplies. You won't believe how easy it is to make delicious crocks of sauerkraut and jars of pickles! No cooking is required - a great way to preserve food during the head of summer.

September 11: Preserving Summer Bounties. 11am-1pm. Canning: How to preserve tomatoes, pickles, jams and jellies - There's nothing better than opening up a jar of preserved tomatoes on a long, cold, dark winter night, and remembering the summer! This class will cover basic canning for the beginner. You'll learn how to safely preserve tomatoes, pickles, and jams with inexpensive equipment.

http://commongoodcityfarm.org/

10.
Win a $10,000 Home Energy Makeover and Help VDM

It’s not often that you have a simple, fast way to 1) have a chance to win $10,000 in home improvements 2) contribute to a sustainable community and 3) help VDM win $1,000.
From now until August 20, you can go green and help us win green!
The Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) is running the Charlottesville Home Energy Makeover Contest where two local homeowners will win up to $10,000 each in home energy and water efficiency improvements. To help spread the word about this exciting contest, LEAP teamed up with the Center for Non-Profit Excellence to give local charities like the Virginia Discovery Museum the opportunity to win $1,000 – three charities with the most contest entries (based on small, medium and large budget categories) each win the cash prize.
Please take 5 minutes today to go to www.cvillesaves.org and register for the Home Energy Makeover Contest*. Be sure to enter “Virginia Discovery Museum” in the “Non-Profit Challenge Organization” box on the form. Forward this email to friends and family and help VDM win $1,000 to support our important work. Act fast as the contest closes August 20.
*Contest open to residential property owners in Charlottesville and Albemarle. See the contest website for rules

11.
The Art of Fermentation
One-Day Class: September 25, 2010 in Charlottesville, VA
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

http://www.sacredplanttraditions.com/onedays.html

13.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY for COMMUNITY:

Permaculture community – 3 houses with acreage for sale near each other near other permaculture folks; contact Christine Gyovai at christinegyovai@gmail.com if wanting more info on neighborhood.

http://www.trulia.com/property/1092972430-2622-Pea-Ridge-Rd-Charlottesville-VA-22901

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2620-Pea-Ridge-Road_Charlottesville_VA_22901_1120388173

http://www.trulia.com/homes/Virginia/Charlottesville/sold/469382-2599-Pea-Ridge-Rd-Charlottesville-VA-22901

14.
Teaching Permaculture Creatively:
An Intensive Professional Permaculture Teacher Training Course
with Dave Jacke, Kay Cafasso, Chris Jackson, Kim Almeida and Trent Rhode
With an integrated 3-day course in Financial Permaculture!!!
September 16–27, 2010
The Farm, Summertown, Tennessee
Sponsored by The Financial Permaculture Institute and Gaia University Southeast.

Permaculture Teacher Training:
Given that events make the best teachers, it follows that our role as educators is to design learning events. In this teacher training, we will explore how to create events that teach permaculture, applying ecological principles and processes to the design of permaculture workshops, courses, and other experiences.

Learn how to create effective learning environments based on quick assessments of students and their learning modalities, eight intelligences, and other niche characteristics. Each student in this course will design and run short classes and exercises, speak in public, plan and budget for an event, and coteach a series of workshops during the integrated Financial Permaculture Course. What do whole learning systems look, feel and sound like? Come find out! The best way to learn is to do, and to have fun doing it! Join us!

To see what past course graduates are saying about this course, see the attached Student Outcomes document.

Limited to 30 certified permaculture design course graduates; significant pre-course preparation required. NOTE: This course has a prerequisite. Applicants must have received a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC).

Financial Permaculture Course:
The Financial Permaculture Course provides an organized and supportive container for permaculture designers, financial planners, business people, and regular folks looking to build a financially viable life to work together, share skills and information, and develop new models for creating viable livelihoods that regenerate planet, people, and communities. This year the course will offer a focus on creating viable permaculture teaching businesses, as well as permaculture workshops run by this year’s Teaching Permaculture Creatively trainees. You don’t need to be an expert in permaculture, finance or business to benefit from integrating permaculture principles with financial and business planning!

Course objectives:
• Participants experience and develop the complete suite of skills needed to begin successfully teaching short permaculture workshops and other events on their own.
• Participants leave able to contribute significantly to teaching certified permaculture courses under the mentorship of an experienced permaculture teacher.
• Participants experience taking the seat of the teacher multiple times during the course in a variety of settings, both within the course and in a public venue. We all grasp the essence and significant details of what it means to create effective learning environments and effective learning events.
• Participants come prepared to collaboratively co-create the teacher training course and teach a one day public permaculture workshop (specific requests for how to prepare will be laid out after acceptance into the program).
• Participants collaborate to create a community of learning teachers and teaching learners:
o we cocreate a safe, supportive, fun, healthy, and whole learning environment;
o we support each other to take risks, share ourselves, grow deeply, move through edges and perceived restrictions, explore new ideas, and try new teaching styles and approaches;
o we share and constructively evaluate each others’ work;
o we cooperatively develop shared resources for the larger permaculture teaching community.
• Participants clarify, articulate, and evolve their beliefs about what a teacher is and what is their teaching philosophy. We all experience putting that philosophy into practice consciously. We all have the opportunity to deprogram beliefs that inhibit our effectiveness as teachers and learners.
• We experience all of the above through learning events and experiences that express, embody, and demonstrate the principles of permaculture design in action.
• We engage in co-creating the Financial Permaculture Course (FPC), sharing our knowledge and experience, learning from and with others, and observing and evaluating the FPC as a whole and each part of it individually.
• We have a total blast doing all of the above.

Course Fee:
Course fees include tuition, room and board for both the Teacher Training and the Financial Permaculture Course: sliding Scale $1,800 - $2,100; $1,700 if registered before June 30. Some partial scholarships may be available; please inquire.

We are raising funds for scholarships to support folks who cannot afford this course to attend. If you would like to donate to this fund, please contact Dave Jacke, 308 Main St. #2C, Greenfield, MA 01301, 603-831-1298, davej@edibleforestgardens.com. We have also developed a Community Supported Educators program to assist you to raise your own funds for the course. Please contact Jennifer or Sheila at info@financialpermaculture.com or Dave at davej@edibleforestgardens.com for an information packet on this program.

For More Information or to apply:
Visit: http://www.financialpermaculture.com
Or contact: Jennifer or Sheila at The Financial Permaculture Institute at info@financialpermaculture.com 88-878-2434 ext. 2 or 913-796-1808

15.
Dear BuildingGreen Colleague,

In the seven years that BuildingGreen has partnered with the Boston Architectural College (BAC) on its online Sustainable Design Certificate Program, this is the most exciting list of courses we've yet offered! I'm thrilled to be part of BAC's effort and to pass along this invitation to participate.

BAC's continuing education curriculum in sustainable design is the largest and most comprehensive in the country. We are offering 29 different courses during the two fall sessions. These courses can be used to help fulfill four different BAC certificate programs in sustainable design, or they can simply help expand your background in various aspects of green building.

Take a look at the list of courses below for Session 1 (August 30th through October 23rd) or Session 2 (October 25th through December 17th). Some of these courses may fill up quickly, so if you're interested, I'd suggest you sign up as soon as possible.

To learn more (and register) go to www.the-bac.edu/green, call 617-585-0101 or send an email to the BAC's Director of Sustainable Design, Lance Fletcher, AIA, LEED AP.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

upcoming events

Greetings All,

Below you will find info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in
the near future in the central Virginia bioregion.

For more information about permaculture events, see our website:
www.blueridgepermaculture.net. 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

1.
Blue Ridge Permaculture Network is planning to have a display table at the
Heritage Harvest Fesival this year. The date is September 11. Festival info
here:

http://heritageharvestfestival.com/

If you'd like to volunteer an hour or two hanging out at the table and talking
about permaculture, let me know. It is very low pressure! We will have photos,
books, and other information on display. We'd also like to put together some
type of demonstration. I was wondering if a tiny sheet mulch example might
work
but would love to have some other ideas.

We also need someone with a tent (about 10'X10')or shade cover and a volunteer
to set up our space on Friday.

I know it is a long way off to commit for sure but, if you are interested, ,l
et me know. We have to reserve our space soon.

Thanks!
Vicky in Amherst
email me at vickycp@ntelos.net

2.
Teaching Permaculture Creatively:
An Intensive Professional Permaculture Teacher Training Course
with Dave Jacke, Kay Cafasso, Chris Jackson, Kim Almeida and Trent Rhode
With an integrated 3-day course in Financial Permaculture!!!
September 16–27, 2010
The Farm, Summertown, Tennessee
Sponsored by The Financial Permaculture Institute and Gaia University
Southeast.

Permaculture Teacher Training:
Given that events make the best teachers, it follows that our role as
educators
is to design learning events. In this teacher training, we will explore how
to
create events that teach permaculture, applying ecological principles and
processes to the design of permaculture workshops, courses, and other
experiences.

Learn how to create effective learning environments based on quick assessments
of students and their learning modalities, eight intelligences, and other
niche
characteristics. Each student in this course will design and run short
classes
and exercises, speak in public, plan and budget for an event, and coteach a
series of workshops during the integrated Financial Permaculture Course. What
do whole learning systems look, feel and sound like? Come find out! The best
way to learn is to do, and to have fun doing it! Join us!

To see what past course graduates are saying about this course, see the
attached Student Outcomes document.

Limited to 30 certified permaculture design course graduates; significant
pre-course preparation required. NOTE: This course has a prerequisite.
Applicants must have received a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC).

Financial Permaculture Course:
The Financial Permaculture Course provides an organized and supportive
container for permaculture designers, financial planners, business people, and
regular folks looking to build a financially viable life to work together,
share skills and information, and develop new models for creating viable
livelihoods that regenerate planet, people, and communities. This year the
course will offer a focus on creating viable permaculture teaching businesses,
as well as permaculture workshops run by this year’s Teaching Permaculture
Creatively trainees. You don’t need to be an expert in permaculture, finance
or business to benefit from integrating permaculture principles with financial
and business planning!

Course objectives:
• Participants experience and develop the complete suite of skills
needed
to begin successfully teaching short permaculture workshops and other events
on
their own.
• Participants leave able to contribute significantly to teaching
certified permaculture courses under the mentorship of an experienced
permaculture teacher.
• Participants experience taking the seat of the teacher multiple times
during the course in a variety of settings, both within the course and in a
public venue. We all grasp the essence and significant details of what it
means to create effective learning environments and effective learning
events.

• Participants come prepared to collaboratively co-create the teacher
training course and teach a one day public permaculture workshop (specific
requests for how to prepare will be laid out after acceptance into the
program).
• Participants collaborate to create a community of learning teachers
and
teaching learners:
o we cocreate a safe, supportive, fun, healthy, and whole learning
environment;
o we support each other to take risks, share ourselves, grow deeply,
move
through edges and perceived restrictions, explore new ideas, and try new
teaching styles and approaches;
o we share and constructively evaluate each others’ work;
o we cooperatively develop shared resources for the larger permaculture
teaching community.
• Participants clarify, articulate, and evolve their beliefs about what a
teacher is and what is their teaching philosophy. We all experience putting
that philosophy into practice consciously. We all have the opportunity to
deprogram beliefs that inhibit our effectiveness as teachers and learners.
• We experience all of the above through learning events and experiences
that express, embody, and demonstrate the principles of permaculture design in
action.
• We engage in co-creating the Financial Permaculture Course (FPC), sharing
our knowledge and experience, learning from and with others, and observing and
evaluating the FPC as a whole and each part of it individually.
• We have a total blast doing all of the above.

Course Fee:
Course fees include tuition, room and board for both the Teacher Training and
the Financial Permaculture Course: sliding Scale $1,800 - $2,100; $1,700 if
registered before June 30. Some partial scholarships may be available; please
inquire.

We are raising funds for scholarships to support folks who cannot afford this
course to attend. If you would like to donate to this fund, please contact
Dave Jacke, 308 Main St. #2C, Greenfield, MA 01301, 603-831-1298,
davej@edibleforestgardens.com. We have also developed a Community Supported
Educators program to assist you to raise your own funds for the course.
Please
contact Jennifer or Sheila at info@financialpermaculture.com or Dave at
davej@edibleforestgardens.com for an information packet on this program.

For More Information or to apply:
Visit: http://www.financialpermaculture.com
Or contact: Jennifer or Sheila at The Financial Permaculture Institute at
info@financialpermaculture.com 88-878-2434 ext. 2 or 913-796-1808

3.
Cry of the Mountain show about mountaintop removal mining

My name is Addie Horan and I have constructed a one-woman-show about
mountaintop removal called Cry of the Mountain. I “play” many wonderful
people who might sound familiar including Judy Bonds, Jeff Biggers, Stephanie
Pistello, Ed Wiley, Vernon Haltom, Lynda Ewen, Matt Landon, Tammy Horn, Larry
Gibson, and four others.
Now my show is being produced this July in and around Charlottesville,
Virginia!

Here is a website that has more info: http://wholetheatre.org/mountain/ ;

After each performance we will be hosting a talk-back about the play and
mountaintop removal. Whole Theatre will be donating 30% of the box office to
those groups/causes that help participate in the talk-backs.

The shows are every Thursday in July at 8pm.

4.
Farm Aid’s has issued a new report, Rebuilding America’s Economy with
Family Farm-Centered Food Systems. www.farmaid.org/es
Inspired by Farm Aid President Willie Nelson, who has always said family
farmers are the backbone of the nation and the bottom rung of our economic
ladder, we are proud to offer the report as a resource to individuals,
businesses, organizations, and local and state governments seeking to create
thriving family farm-centered food systems in their communities, revitalizing
the economy of America as a whole.

Rebuilding America’s Economy underscores what we at Farm Aid know as a simple
truth: Supporting family farmers and family farm-centered food systems is a
powerful strategy for jumpstarting our fragile economy and revitalizing
communities across America.

The report recounts the true costs of an industrial food system to our rural
economies and communities, and the ripple effects of a troubled farm economy
beyond the farm gate. The heart of the report highlights the untapped
potential
of America’s family farmers to rebuild our nation’s economy through local
and regional markets, and further enumerates what we have to gain by investing
in both direct markets and emerging “mid-scale food value chains.” In
addition to capturing some of the best research out there modeling the impacts
of family farm-centered food systems, the report showcases the stories of
innovative farm entrepreneurs finding success in local and regional markets
and
building better food economies in their communities.

We are proud of this report, but even more proud of the farmers and
entrepreneurs it showcases, who are transforming our food system, rebuilding
economies, and strengthening our country from the ground up.

If you have any questions, or would like bound copies, please contact us. For
a
downloadable pdf, please go to www.farmaid.org/es. In addition, we have
compiled a list of federal funding resources available for developing family
farm-centered local and regional food systems, which can be accessed by
visiting www.farmaid.org/opportunities.

All the best,
Glenda Yoder

5.
Charlottesville Community Design Center.
http://www.cvilledesign.org/ ;

Charlottesville Civic Action | June 4 - July 30
Charlottesville Civic Action was created as a joint partnership between CCDC &
the Center for Nonprofit Excellence challenging local non-profits to address
the question: What is the most promising opportunity to strengthen our
community over the next decade and what action will your organization take to
make a difference? The 12 non-profits with the most compelling responses
teamed with local graphic designers to create a poster illustrating their
answer to the question. The posters will be on display in the CCDC gallery
through July 30. The public is invited to attend a community forum with the
selected non-profits and elected officials on July 27th. To see thumbnails,
click here.

CCDC EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
AIA Lunch: Arab Islamic Cairo: Building Preservation & Heritage Conservation
Originally scheduled for Tomorrow, June 25 at noon-NOW RESCHEDULED for July 16
Brian Broadus will cover an introduction to historic periods of Cairo and the
city's sudden modern growth and sprawl; an overview of basic Islamic-era
religious and charitable building types/furnishings, including the Arabic
terms, and the traditional ownership and management of the properties. Also
discussed will be the current impediments and challenges to historic
preservation in Arab-Islamic Cairo, including failed past Arab Republic
preservation efforts, future Arab Republic threats to Arab-Islamic Cairo, and
recent successful historic preservation and heritage conservation projects in
Arab-Islamic Cairo. Free & open to all. 1 learning unit available.

2010 Design Marathon Information Session
Friday, July 2 Noon-1pm
CCDC will host a brown bag information session to provide general information
about the Design Marathon and how to get involved as a non-profit or designer.
This is a great opportunity to meet the Design Marathon organizers, see the
space where it happens, and have your questions answered before the August 16
application deadline. Bring your lunch. For directions to CCDC, visit
cvilledesign.org.

OTHER EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) Press Event
Wednesday, July 7 1:30pm--CitySpace at the CCDC
LEAP will be holding a press conference and launch event to promote exciting
new local initiatives, "The Home Energy Makeover Contest" and "Home
Performance
with Energy Star" programs. Also to announce $1 million worth of energy
efficiency incentives available to local residents. For more information,
please contact LEAP at 434.825.0232 or their website.

Open House-Plans for Neighborhood Revitalization
Tuesday July 13 6-7:30pm--Carver Recreation Center (324 4th St. NW)
The Charlottesville Redevelopment & Housing Authority is wrapping up the
beginning rounds of brainstorming for transforming its Public Housing
Neighborhoods. They invite individuals to join them for an Open House to give
a final round of feedback to include in the Master Plan-a tool that will guide
discussions during the implementation phases. For more information please
visit their website and view the attached flyer.

2010 Bike Ballot
Cast votes by July 15th!
Bike Charlottesville and ACCT cordially invites individuals to participate in
the 2010 Bike Ballot. The ballot consists of a short series of simple
questions that invite you to choose the most important projects to make the
Charlottesville area more bicycling-friendly. The community feedback will be
used to develop an action plan to drive progress towards making bicycling
safer, easier, and more convenient. For more information!

7.
Permaculture email listserve (different from this newsletter listserve)

Vicky Peterson, a grad from the first Permaculture Design Course, has set up a
yahoo group for discussion of all things relating to permaculture in the
Central Virginia region. From Vicky: With your help, the group will be a
place to ask questions, share information and help permaculture take root in
our area.
Here is a link to follow if you would like to join:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/BRPermaculture/

There should be a blue button that says "Join this Group!"

If you know of anyone else who might be interested in joining, please feel
free
to pass this info along.
Other questions? Email me.
Thanks!
Vicky Peterson
vickycp@ntelos.net

8.
News about small capital grants from the USDA’s Community Facilities Program
for farmers markets. These grants, which can be between $40,000 and $60,000,
are only available to communities with a population under 20,000. (See
further details below)

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HAD-CF_Grants.html

If you are interested, you should send a short project description and
application to your Rural Development Director. A list by state of the
Directors is accessible at :

http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=rd

You must apply in the next two months, as funds are tied to the Recovery Act
(Stimulus Funds).

Grants may be used for the following:

Farmers Markets

Grants can finance farmer’s markets that primarily sell fruits and
vegetables. Grants cannot finance flea markets. Farmers markets that sell
25%
or more in items that are not food products cannot be financed with CF
funding,
but may be eligible for funding under Rural Development’s Rural Business &
Cooperative Programs.

• New construction
• Purchase building
• Renovations

Community Gardens

• Purchase real estate
• Water source access – the necessary infrastructure to connect to
the water source and/or provide irrigation.
• Ineligible – small tools

Community Kitchens
Community kitchens can provide classes for families to learn how to prepare
healthy meals. They can also be used to prepare meals for various community
programs.

• Renovations - applicant must own, or be purchasing, facility
• Equipment - must be removable if the applicant does not own the
facility and equipment must be primarily used for the community initiative
• New Construction

Here is more information about the grant program:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HAD-CF_Grants.html

Community Facility Grants

Objectives: Community Programs provides grants to assist in the development of
essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in
population. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in
small communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher
percentage of grants. Grants are available to public entities such as
municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as non-profit
corporations and tribal governments. In addition, applicants must have the
legal authority necessary for construction, operation, and maintenance of the
proposed facility and also be unable to obtain needed funds from commercial
sources at reasonable rates and terms.

Fund Uses: Grant funds may be used to assist in the development of essential
community facilities. Grant funds can be used to construct, enlarge, or
improve
community facilities for health care, public safety, and community and public
services. This can include the purchase of equipment required for a facility's
operation. A grant may be made in combination with other CF
financialassistance
such as a direct or guaranteed loan, applicant contributions, or loans and
grants from other sources.

The Community Facilities Grant Program is typically used to fund projects
under
special initiatives, such as Native American community development efforts;
child care centers linked with the Federal government's Welfare-to-Work
initiative; Federally-designated Enterprise and Champion Communities, and the
Northwest Economic Adjustment Initiative area.

Maximum Grant: The amount of grant assistance for project costs depends upon
the median household income and the population in the community where the
project is located and the availability of grant funds. In most instances,
projects which receive grant assistance have a high priority and are highly
leveraged with other loan and grant awards. Grant assistance may be available
for up to 75% of project costs. Grant funding limitations are based on
population and income, economic feasibility, and availability of funds.

Projects will be selected based on a priority point system. Projects that will
receive priority are those that:

Serve small communities - with the highest priority going to projects located
in a community with a population of 5,000 or less.

Serve low-income communities with the highest priority going to projects
serving communities with median household incomes below the higher of the
poverty line or 60% of the State non-metropolitan median household income.

Provide healthcare, public safety, or public and community services

Limitations: Grant funds cannot be used to:

Pay any annual recurring costs, including purchases or rentals that are
generally considered to be operating and maintenance expenses

Construct or repair electric generating plants, electric transmission lines,
or
gas distribution lines to provide services for commercial sale

Pay costs to construct facilities to be used for commercial rental where the
applicant has no control over tenants and services offered

Construct facilities primarily for the purpose of housing State, Federal or
quasi-Federal agencies

Finance recreational facilities or community antenna television services or
facilities
Basic Instruction: 7 CFR 3570, subpart B

For more information about this program, or to file an application, contact
the
local Rural Development
office in
your
area.

http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=rd ;

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

upcoming events

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

upcoming events

Greetings All,

Below you will find info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the near future in the central Virginia bioregion, including a talk this evening at the University of Virginia (see below).

For more information about permaculture events, see our website: www.blueridgepermaculture.net. 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

1.
"Food Rebels and Smart Cookin' Mamas: Fighting Back in the Age of Industrial Agriculture"

Even while local food systems are careening into mainstream American culture, today's economic climate is also prompting a brand new segment of the American population to utilize food stamps and other measures against increasing hunger. How do we confront the obstacles to realizing a sustainable food system with fairness and sensitivity? Food insecurity expert Mark Winne, author of Closing the Food Gap as well as former Executive Director of the Hartford Food System, will speak on these and other community food system topics including local and regional agriculture, community food assessment, and food policy. Reception to follow.

Where: UVA, School of Architecture, Campbell Hall, Room 158
When: Tuesday, April 6, 5:30-6:30pm

2.
Forrest Green Farm in Louisa, VA will open for spring on April 15th.
Hours are Thursday thru Sunday 9-5 or by appointment on other days.

The family run farm offers culinary and medicinal herb plants, vegetable
plants (including a wide variety of heirloom tomatoes), and flower plants.
We also specialize in pastured poultry eggs and registered Miniature
Hereford cows.

We have expanded our workshops this year. We have workshops for adults and a
children's summer program. New this year is a foundational course in whole
living from the ground up. Great for someone who wants to learn hands on
gardening with herbs, how to use herbs for daily healthy living, and
connecting with the plants, seasons, and nature. For more on our workshops
check our website or call the farm.
http://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/workshops.html
http://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/wholeliving.html
http://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/meetherbs.html
http://www.forrestgreenfarm.com/childprgm.html

You can contact us at:

Forrest Green Farm LLC
Rob and Krista Rahm
(540) 967-1165
(434) 882-2648 cell
www.forrestgreenfarm.com

3.
Earth Week Eco-Fair

Sunday, April 18, 11am - 7pm at the Charlottesville Pavilion

1:00pm - Trees on Fire Meets the Beatles (Acoustic)
1:50pm - Naughty Dynamic and the Design
2:50pm - Beleza Brasil
3:55pm - William Walter and Co.
4:45pm - Harvey Wasserman speaks
5:00pm - Larry Keel and Natural Bridge

Local food, local beverages (remember the Anheuser-Busch brewery in
Williamsburg!), local government agencies working to preserve and protect the
environment, green businesses, conservationist organizations, and all sorts of
interesting, eco-friendly, and informative stuff.

ACCT's Children's Bicycle Rodeo from 1-3 in the Lexis Nexis parking deck -
bring the bike!
Children's Corner activities include tee-shirt painting, face-painting, hands-on
educational activities, demonstrations, etc.

Raffles include a 2010 Toyota Prius - tickets are only $25 and fund student
environmental education trips.
Other raffles (tickets $3, 2/$5):
-Compost Bin - Blue Ridge Eco Shop
-(3) 1-month memberships in the Outdoor Adventure Social Club
-Garden design and consultation by C'ville Foodscapes
-Gift Basket from Sustain, Inc.
-Gift Certificate from Green Irene
-(3) gift certificates for a 1-hour massage
-Gift certificate - EcoDry Cleaners
Get tickets at Blue Ridge Eco Shop in Preston Plaza, and at EcoDry Cleaners
on Main St.

Check out EarthWeek.org for more info on events, and a link to our forum and
online calendar
Check out earthweekuva.wordpress.com for tons of events by and through
UVA.
Check out the Earth Week forum and calendar, add your own events, post
your own topics, start your own discussions, etc.

QUESTIONS??? info@earthweek.org

4.
Roanoke: Urban Farming Course

URBAN FARMS SPROUTING IN ROANOKE

Farmers are changing the way food is produced.
New farmers are looking to their own backyards to produce food close to their city markets. No longer are barns and tractors de rigueur for a family farm. Small plots of land, managed for intensive production is the key. It boils down to two things: start up costs are low and the food is good.

VT EarthWorks and instructor Kathy O Hara have partnered to offer a 4-week series on urban farming on Tuesday nights beginning on April 6. We d like to spread the word about urban farming, and the management tools one needs to create a space that is both productive and profitable, Kathy O Hara said. Start up costs are pretty minimal for this kind of business, and the idea is to create a network of small intensive plot farmers who can share their experiences, knowledge, and markets.

VT EarthWorks, an entrepreneur acceleration program for agriculture and natural resource businesses, is working with regional food producers to provide business development services, including learning networks and connections to potential retail outlets (e.g., restaurants, institutions, farmers markets, grocers), to help build viable businesses and a vibrant regional food system. VT EarthWorks has partnered with Downtown Roanoke to offer graduates of the urban farming series space at the city market on Tuesdays. We worry about having access to fresh, healthy food and how far our food has travelled. Urban farming is a great way to supply more fresh food for your family and to the community and businesses of Roanoke.

Go to Urban Farming Class for additional information or to register, please go to http://www.cpe.vt.edu/reg/vtew.

5.
Lynchburg Green Spring Expo
Date: 4/10/2010 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Cost: Free Location: Lynchburg City Armory
1219 Main St (upper level)
Lynchburg, Virginia 24504
This event will serve to educate citizens of Lynchburg and the surrounding counties to the wealth of community resources available to those interested in pursuing lifestyles of health and sustainability. Participants will have exposure to the vendors, practitioners and volunteer service providers who comprise this resource and best represent its value.
Its purpose is to acknowledge and promote the people, businesses and organizations who are helping to make our community healthier and stronger by taking the lead in the local green movement.

Contact: Mr. Mike Cundiff 434-528-1100

You can also visit the Lynchburg Farmer's Market which is right next door to the armory.

6.
Permaculture speaker request

We are co chairman of the Nelson County Master Gardener Intern Training Program being held this fall. We were interested in having someone come to our intern training for master gardener class to talk about permaculture and composting. Would you be able to suggest anyone? Tentatively, the date is Tuesday, Nov. 9th from 9 to 12 (or shorter) at the Nelson County Community Center. Please let me know. Thank you for your help.
434-263-8045
Nora & Charlie Harris

7.
Gaia Gathering for Women
April 30 - May 2

Join us again or for the first time as we celebrate Beltane by honoring our Earth Mother and the call of the Divine Feminine. Together we will honor the power of women’s community and help our world shift into the new consciousness of peace, healing and community living.As Alice Walker’s book title states “We are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For”.

The weekend will be about collective ceremony, song and learning skills for gardening, medicine making, stewarding the earth and so much more. The fee includes camping at beautiful Camp Albemarle, four delicious wild and organic meals, and most class materials. There are also rustic cabins available. We will begin Friday evening and end with our traditional web ceremony after lunch on Sunday. Now more than ever is the time for us to know how deeply we are connected.
This event is becoming wonderfully popular and unfortunately we needed to close registration last year towards the end. We are committed to keeping the price the same and as you can imagine, organic food, space rentals and fabulous teachers all add up to a great value. Our intention with this Gathering is not to become large but to create a deep and strong web of women energy for our bioregion and to bless the environs of Charlottesville with peace and security.

Fee for the weekend is $175.00. PLease call or visit website to register or find more information.
.
www.sacredplanttraditions.com

8.
Plant Walks
and Introductions to Plant Skills
Monthly excursions into the world of plants
May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11, Oct. 9
At Wildcrofthollow Botanical Sanctuary, Amherst, VA

To be able to walk out of your door and find the things that you need to; eat, heal yourself and others, make fabrics, dye those fabrics, make baskets, rope, string, sounds like you live in paradise, doesn't it? You do. We always have. The ability to do these things is something that used to be common knowledge. These one-day introductory classes will give you personal introductions to many of the plant folks. They will also acquaint you with some of the possibilities those plants offer you. Each class is a plant walk for half of the day and an introduction to some of the skills you can learn to work with those plants for the second half of the day.

5/8 Plant walk/Introduction to Understandable Botany
How to become a plant sage
6/12 Plant walk/Introduction to Edibles and Foraging
What you can eat and how to find it
7/10 Plant walk/ Introduction to Medicinals
Local healing herbs
8/14 Plant walk/Introduction to Basketry
You always need someplace to put your stuff
9/11 Plant walk/Introduction to Dyeing
Color your world
10/9 Plant walk/Introduction to Cordage
Strings, ropes, fabrics

Tuition is $75/day or, if you pay ahead of time, $180 for three classes or $300 for all six. Lunch, with the wonderful Miz Lena's cooking, will be provided. $25 non-refundable deposit if you don't pay ahead. Please send to: David Welker, 1083 Sardis Rd., Amherst, VA 24521 Questions: call 434-946-7020

9.
Radical Roots Community Farm in Keezletown, VA, is expanding its Charlottesville Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program!

The farm has 50 shares available, with weekly pickup on Wednesdays from 3-7 pm at the Meade Park Farmers Market. For $450 ($25 per week), you will receive Radical Roots' Certified Naturally Grown produce from June through September. To learn more about Radical Roots and their CSA, visit www.RadicalRootsFarm.com or call (540) 269-2228.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to support ecologically-minded agriculture and to eat well!

RadicalRootsFarm.com
3083 Flook Ln.
Keezletown, VA 22832
(540) 269-2228

10.
Charlottesville Community Design Center (CCDC) NEWS & EVENTS

JRGBC Luncheon: Saving Energy with the Local Energy Alliance Program
Tuesday, April 13 beginning at noon
Cynthia Adams, Executive Director of central Virginia's Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), will give a presentation on energy efficiency and the community-based nonprofit which will be launching in the Charlottesville area. LEAP is a public-private partnership whose mission is to facilitate unprecedented energy savings in buildings through retrofits and occupant behavior. Discussion topics will include national legislation pertaining to energy efficiency, some building science basics, and information about Home Performance with ENERGY STAR – LEAP’s flagship residential program. Free and open to all - pre-register here - www.jrgbc.org/

Architecture Week is April 23-29
Architecture Week brings together design professionals and the public to celebrate the excellence, innovation and leadership within the architectural community. Visit the Architecture Week website for a complete schedule of events: http://aiacv-archweek.org/

More Than Just Bricks: A Social & Design History of Charlottesville's Downtown Mall
Current CCDC exhibit
Created in partnership with Preservation Piedmont and the UVA School of Architecture, More Than Just Bricks explores the historical and contemporary significance of Lawrence Halprin's design for Charlottesville's pedestrian mall.

COMPETITION ANNOUCEMENT
Stay-Space: 2010 James River Green Building Council Green Spaces Competition
This year’s James competition challenge is meant to provide real and inspiring solutions to the land-use questions that face the City of Richmond. Building off of last year’s Play Space challenge, this year’s entrants are asked to look at the remaining 34 +/- acres on the Greater Fulton Gas Works site and develop a plan or design for that land that provides space for living, working, recreation or something entirely different if it feels right. The site can be designed for residential, commercial, industrial or agricultural development or something different and unexpected. Students and professionals are invited to enter the competition. Individuals may enter although interdisciplinary teams are encouraged and may be composed of students and professionals. Entries are due by May 21. http://www.jrgbc.org/greenspaces/

www.cvilledesign.org

11.
Permaculture email listserve (different from this newsletter listserve)

Vicky Peterson, a grad from the first Permaculture Design Course, has set up a yahoo group for discussion of all things relating to permaculture in the Central Virginia region. From Vicky: With your help, the group will be a place to ask questions, share information and help permaculture take root in our area.
Here is a link to follow if you would like to join:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/BRPermaculture/

There should be a blue button that says "Join this Group!"

If you know of anyone else who might be interested in joining, please feel free to pass this info along.
Other questions? Email me.
Thanks!
Vicky Peterson
vickycp@ntelos.net

Thursday, March 4, 2010

upcoming events

Monday, February 8, 2010

upcoming events

Greetings All,

Below you will find info on upcoming permaculture and sustainability events in the near future in the central Virginia bioregion – lots of exciting happenings coming up including a permaculture potluck and community talk with Dave Jacke, author of Edible Forest Gardens, this Sat. Feb. 13, and Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden, on Thurs. Feb. 11 in Harrisonburg! We hope to see you there!

For more information about permaculture events, see our website: www.blueridgepermaculture.net. 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

1.
PERMACULTURE COMMUNITY PRESENTATION and POTLUCK in Harrisonburg, VA

Come One, Come All!

With special guest Dave Jacke, for a talk on “Ecosystem Agriculture and Forest Gardens”

Sat. Feb. 13th, 2010
Potluck 6:30 -7:30 (bring a dish and utensils)
Talk from 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Location: Martin Chapel, located in the Seminary building at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA
Click on the Map link from the website:
http://www.emu.edu/map/sem.html

For additional information, see the website:
www.blueridgepermaculture.net

RSVP and Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required, by emailing Terry Lilley at:
tygerlilley@gmail.com

2.
Biomimicry: Our Plant Mentors,
Learning from the World’s Flora

with Toby Hemenway
Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7:00
James Madison University Arboretum in Harrisonburg, VA

Biomimicry is a new discipline that imitates nature’s best designs and processes to solve human problems in sustainable ways. Plants, in particular, are marvelous and ingenious teachers, showing us non-toxic ways to add color to industrial products, create waterproof, breathable fabrics, design biodegradable yet sturdy packaging, and inspiring our designs and goods in countless other ways. Using stunning images and clear lively explanations, Toby Hemenway will take us to the frontiers of ecological designs.

Mr. Hemenway is the author of the first major North American book on permaculture, Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home Scale Permaculture, an adjunct professor at Portland State University and a Scholar in Residence at Pacific University. His current project is developing urban sustainability resources in Portland, Oregon teaching and lecturing on ecological design.

This lecture is open free to the public. Visit the arboretum website at www.jmu.edu/arboretum to learn more information about the annual Frances Litten Lecture, or to learn about any of the many public events and programs offered seasonally, or call (540) 568-3194 weekdays from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm.

3.
Forrest Green Farm
Rob and Krista Rahm
www.forrestgreenfarm.com

2010 Full Time Apprentice

This position is for someone who is dedicated to working full-time on the farm May- September. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is serious about learning to become self-reliant and learn herb and vegetable farming. The apprentice will have the opportunity to work on all areas of the farm. Learning all aspects of herbal growing from seed to harvest, preserving, medicine making, culinary herbal cooking, vegetable growing, producing for and selling at farmer’s markets, helping with and attending group workshops (if desired), canning and preserving of vegetable & fruit crops.

The successful applicant should be independent, resourceful, hard working, passionately interested in herbs (culinary and medicinal) and vegetable growing. They should also be comfortable living in a family farm setting (children & animals…dogs, cats, horses, cows, and chickens) and dealing with the public. Serious folks only that are willing to make a season commitment. No drug users!
Tent camping or house space available, basic foods, access to on farm vegetable garden, and at least one cooked meal a day provided. Also included are the herbs for your medicine making to create your own herbal medicines.

2010 Part-Time Apprentice
This position is for someone wanting to work 1-2 days a week on the farm. We ask for a commitment of at least 6 weeks any time from March-October. This position is flexible and for the person who desires to gain some working knowledge in any aspect gardening at Forrest Green Farm. Focus can be concentrated on herbal knowledge or vegetable growing or any combination of the two.

A meal is included for the days you work on the farm, vegetables from our garden, and herbs for medicine making are included for this position. If desired, tent camping is available for the part-time position.

Please contact us to find out more about the apprenticeship positions and/or schedule an interview. 540-967-1165 or 434-882-2648

4.
February 15 Monday

7:30 P.M. "Regenerative Commerce: Healing the Planet and Her Peoples with Trade and Investment" by Greg Landua
Martin Science Building 315
Greg Landau is an eco-social entrepreneur whose interests lie in permaculture design, ecovillage design, teaching, and regenerative commerce. Learn about his project, Booyacacao, a "beyond fair-trade" chocolate business, and find out how sustainably farmed chocolate can help heal the world.

http://web.randolphcollege.edu/newsevents/calendar.asp
-scroll down to Feb 15th

5.
Sharondale Farm Mushroom Workshops:
www.sharondalefarm.com

March 20th or April 3rd - Growing Mushrooms at Home: an introduction to cultivating gourmet and medicinal mushrooms- Sharondale Farm, Cismont (http://shop.sharondalefarm.com/) $55.

March 27th- Got Mushroom? Growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms in urban and small spaces- Tricycle Gardens, Richmond (http://tricyclegardens.org/programs/). $50

April 10th –Got Mushroom? Growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms in urban and small spaces- Alexander House Cooperative, Charlottesville. $50.

April 17th - Got Mushroom? Growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms in urban and small spaces- New Community Project/ Muddy Bike Garden, Harrisonburg. $50.

Events and Classes:

February 20th- Specialty Mushroom Production- Virginia Association for Biological Farming Conference, Danville (http://vabf.org/)

Spring 2010- Introduction to Mushroom Culture – J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College- Goochland (http://www.jsr.cc.va.us/_schedules/2010_Spring/HRT.htm
www.sharondalefarm.com

6.
Common Good City Farm events (in Washington DC)

EVENT: Saturday February 20, all day long
ROOTING DC: A FREE forum for urban gardening and all people who eat food
You are invited to attend this forum designed to bring DC gardeners together to reconnect. Join us to share resources and foster partnerships between those who are working towards common goals of a greener, healthier DC! The day is filled with talks, workshops and lectures on almost every food and garden related topic. Lots of snack and free seeds provided.
More information at www.rootingdc.org

7.
Charlottesville Community Design Center

James River Green Building Council Luncheon: Transforming the Making of Things
Tuesday, February 9 at 12 pm
Tish Tablan and Emily McDermott of McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry will share their firm's perspective on a broad range of critical environmental health issues as they relate to material specification and environmentally preferable purchasing. The presentation will also feature a behind-the-scenes perspective on MBDC's innovative Cradle to Cradle Design paradigm. JRGBC lunches are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Register http://www.jrgbc.org/

6th edition Olio
Friday, February 26 at 8 pm
Olio is an open forum for the presentation of creative pursuits that seeks to spark new collaborations, conceptions, and relationships in the Charlottesville art and design community. Each speaker has 20 slides and 20 seconds per slide to present their work. There are still three spots open for presenters, email Lowell at: contact@olionight.org if you are interested.

http://olionight.org/

UPCOMING EXHIBITION

Our Water Our Future | March 1 - 31
In March Charlottesville Tomorrow will share its independent analysis and history of Charlottesville-Albemarle's long-term water supply plans in an engaging and interactive exhibit. The public will get factual and objective information about our water supply goals, details of the 50-year water plan, the costs, the environmental advantages and disadvantages, potential alternatives, and an outline of the next steps that will move our community forward. Please join us for the First Friday opening reception on March 5.
http://www.cvilledesign.org/

COMPETITION ANNOUCEMENT
Stay-Space: 2010 James River Green Building Council Green Spaces Competition
This year’s James competition challenge is meant to provide real and inspiring solutions to the land-use questions that face the City of Richmond. Building off of last year’s Play Space challenge, this year’s entrants are asked to look at the remaining 34 +/- acres on the Greater Fulton Gas Works site and develop a plan or design for that land that provides space for living, working, recreation or something entirely different if it feels right. The site can be designed for residential, commercial, industrial or agricultural development or something different and unexpected. Students and professionals are invited to enter the competition. Individuals may enter although interdisciplinary teams are encouraged and may be composed of students and professionals. Entries are due by May 21.
http://www.jrgbc.org/green-spaces-competition-gallery-display/

8.
FIGHT TO KEEP OUR MOUNTAINS AND STREAMS

For the first time ever, the Virginia General Assembly has the opportunity to vote on a bill that would protect these treasures from mountaintop removal coal mining! The Stream Saver Bill - SB 564 - would end the burial of our headwater streams with strip mining spoil and curtail the destruction of our mountains in southwest Virginia.

Follow your heart and join us Thursday February 11th at 3:00 PM at the bell tower on the General Assembly grounds in Richmond for a RALLY FOR THE MOUNTAINS and a special Senate Committee hearing on the issue at 4:00 PM.

This is a rare opportunity to proclaim your love for the mountains and the clear mountain streams that flow from them. It is your opportunity to speak up for one of the Commonwealth's greatest treasures.

https://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5020/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=18300

9.
Permaculture email listserve (different from this newsletter listserve)

Vicky Peterson, a grad from the first Permaculture Design Course, has set up a yahoo group for discussion of all things relating to permaculture in the Central Virginia region. From Vicky: With your help, the group will be a place to ask questions, share information and help permaculture take root in our area.
Here is a link to follow if you would like to join:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/BRPermaculture/

There should be a blue button that says "Join this Group!"

If you know of anyone else who might be interested in joining, please feel free to pass this info along.
Other questions? Email me.
Thanks!
Vicky Peterson
vickycp@ntelos.net

10.
FREE SOLAR WEBINAR

The Solar Living Institute Presents:

Opportunities in Solar: Business, Investment, Jobs
With Charles Liu, President of Everbright Solar
Join us for a Free Webinar on February 18

This Webinar is FREE!
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/533398536

The Solar Living Institute is proud to announce the launch of our new webinar series! Join us each month as we bring you high-value current information and insightful perspectives to advance your solar knowledge. Check our course calendar and newsletter as we add future topics.

http://www.solarliving.org/workshops/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=5b997c3c47-Solar_Business_Training_Series_Sept_20098_12_2009&utm_medium=email

11.
Shelter for Haiti Tent Drive through Blue Ridge Mountain Sports stores with assistance from Convoy of Hope.

Beginning January 27th, all Blue Ridge Mountain Sports locations began serving as drop-off points for the Shelter for Haiti tent drive. In an effort to provide critically needed shelter for victims of the January 12th earthquake that struck Haiti, Blue Ridge staff will be collecting tents in good working condition with all parts accounted for and any new tarps people are willing to donate.

All tents & tarps will be inspected and shipped to Convoy of Hope in Missouri, a 501(c)3 non-profit aid relief agency with staff working directly out of the Convoy of Hope warehouse outside of Haiti's capital city, Port-au-Prince. Since the earthquake, Convoy of Hope has shipped 12 shipping containers of badly needed food & supplies in addition to their staff providing medical aid to injured Haitians.

Following President Rene Preval's request for 200,000 tents, Blue Ridge
Mountain Sports contacted Convoy of Hope among other aid agencies
searching for an outlet to ship donated tents.

"Competition for the canvas homes has boiled into arguments and machete
fights, a sign of the desperation felt by the hundreds of thousands of people without homes struggling for shelter in this wrecked city. Haiti's president has asked the world for 200,000 tents and says he will sleep in one himself."

Next to food and medical supplies, shelter is the next primary concern as Haiti begins to see increased temperatures & rain moving into the spring months.

"Outside of the food area, the two prime worries are: one, medical services or medical equipment, and, two, shelter," said Lewis Lucke, U.S. special coordinator for relief and reconstruction."

As an additional incentive, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports is offering 20% off all tents & tarps with the donation of an old tent or new tarp for Haitian aid relief. Thanks go to Mountain Hardwear & MSR for their additional assistance.
To find the nearest Blue Ridge Mountain Sports location, visit
www.brms.com/insideBRMS.