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Free Permaculture workshops and presentations |
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Written by Sallie Maron
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Wednesday, 26 May 2010 10:48 |
If the word “permaculture” doesn’t roll off your tongue, then you probably haven’t met Chuck Estin, our local permaculture expert. Chuck has been practicing and teaching the principles of permaculture for many years. This year he’s launching a series of free workshops and presentations to introduce more people to this growing movement, which was developed in the 1970’s as a way to create sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural eco-systems.
For anyone interested in sustainable food production and communities, these workshops are a generous gift. Chuck said, “My interns and I are offering these presentations at Real Foods Cafe, and Saturday workshops at various locations around the Island. All presentations and workshops are free, because we would like to encourage more local food growing and community self-sufficiency.”
Chuck is also in the process of modifying the Lytle Road Community Garden, a private community garden managed by the neighbors. It will include a whole permaculture edible landscape in addition to the pre-existing annual veggie beds, and will be available for viewing as a “demonstration” permaculture site for visitors.
Whether you attend a workshop or visit the community garden, you’ll find lots of ‘food for thought”! Here’s the list of free presentations and workshops. If you’d like more information, please contact Chuck at:
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Workshops
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Workshops
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Workshops are 1:00 to 5:00 on Saturday afternoons as various locations around the Island. Each workshop will have an informational component and a longer hands-on part.
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June 19
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Mushrooms
4380 Old Mill Road
(from Winslow, take Wyatt to "head of the bay"; continue up steep hill and take a left on Old Mill Rd; go 1.6 miles just past left hand bend in road; site is on the left side)
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Hands-on preparation of a variety of different mushroom cultivation systems. Take home a sample mushroom kit for growing your own oyster mushrooms in your house. Please bring cordless drill with 5/16th inch drill bits if available. The workshop is at a property recently purchased to develop a "mini"-Permaculture demonstration and teaching farm. Some time will be spent looking at this site through the eyes of "Permaculture designers" to share the process being used to design this suburban farm site. Please let Chuck know if you plan to attend.
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July 17
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Winter gardening/Garden bed construction
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Learn to create a variety of different garden beds to choose what the best system is for your needs. Essentials of winter gardens (which should be planted in July-August).
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August 21
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Fruit trees: grafting, summer pruning and year-round maintenance of fruit trees and berries
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August is the best time to prune “water-sprouts” on fruit trees. Learn by doing pruning and bud-grafting of new fruit trees. Year-round maintenance for healthy fruiting trees and shrubs.
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September 18
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Plant propagation
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Why buy plants from us when you can propagate your own? Propagation methods from cuttings, layering, root division and more.
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October 23
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Sheet mulching and garlic
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October is the time to plant garlic. Got an empty field? Learn this low-work, low-maintenance method of garden bed production that is perfect for garlic.
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Presentations
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Presentations begin promptly at 8:00 pm, and will finish at 9:00 pm. Informal questions and discussion may continue afterwards. Real Foods Café will host the presentations.
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May 13
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Spring garden amendments and Seed Saving Exchange
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Getting ready for spring planting:
Test your soil to add the right amendments to revitalize your garden for spring planting.
Seed exchange: bring your own saved seeds to trade with others. Packets of Fedco’s best open-pollinated seeds for sale.
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June 10
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Permaculture Design and Retro-fitting the suburbs into sustainable communities
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Principles of Permaculture design for the backyard, farm or neighborhood.
How could we “retro-fit” the suburbs to become food-producing, sustainable communities?
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July 8
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Greenhouses: solar, conventional and growing strategies
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Examples of solar and conventional greenhouses for the Pacific Northwest. Crops, seasons and efficient food production in our area.
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August 12
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Water catchment and storage
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Going beyond the “50 gallon rain barrel” How to design a water catchment system appropriate for your irrigation needs. Calculations, example systems and methodologies.
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September 9
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Composting, vermiculture, and chickens
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Turn your waste into garden gold. Want it fast, or want it no-work? Critters can help you out: worms & chickens.
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October 14
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Food storage and preservation
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Solar and conventional food dryers; traditional preservation; fermentation systems and more.
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Workshops are 1:00 to 5:00 on Saturday afternoons as various locations around the Island. Each workshop will have an informational component and a longer hands-on part.
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