WORKSHOPS

  • AQUAPONIC SYSTEM AND HOW IT COULD BENEFIT THE COMMUNICTY  (Celesta Vaillant )

Celesta became passionate about aquaponics about 4-5 years ago when I realized our "traditional good system" was NOT perfect at all.  Everyday, three times a day, we rely on our traditional food system to provide us with food (that we have to pay for) that we need in order to survive.   This got me thinking... How can I grow my food all year long around my house?  How can I become independent?

  • NATURAL BUILDING  (Thumbs Cassidy)

     This class will take place within a yurt harvested from the forest of North America. We will start by analyzing the structure you are in, because authentic yurt design is so different than traditional western architecture. At this point in the workshop it is also important to have an honest discussion on the current state of Mongolian nomadic culture and how it is weathering the crushing blows of globalization and climate change.  After that we will be ready to dive into the mind-bending art of wood bending. This is a skill you will be able to apply to a wide variety of wood-working projects from delicate home décor to a 500 ft2 yurt.

  • Ecovillage Ecosystem in a Global Network   (Nebesna Fortin)

  •  GEN, The Global Ecovillage Network, is a vast network across the world connecting changemakers with a common mission; to build a better future for all.  The connecting piece? Living communities built with the intention of being as ecologically designed as possible. Come to our intro to learn about the aspects of ecovillage living while exploring the inner workings of a movement that connects 10,000 eco-communities around the world!

     

  • Reforestation and food security in arid areas in India, Haiti and Kenya  (Aviram Rozin )

Globally, there are 133 million malnourished people living in arid areas who have private land but are not using it to grow food due to lack of water and agricultural knowledge. Sadhana Forest trains local people in India, Haiti and Kenya in the use of water-saving irrigation techniques and provides them with free seedlings to plant drought-resistant, indigenous, food-bearing trees around their homes. These indigenous food forests are well protected from cutting and animal grazing by their owners. Sadhana Forest won third prize at The Humanitarian Water and Food Awards in Denmark, 2010. Every year the organization's India, Haiti and Kenya 100% vegan centers host and train a total of over 1,500 volunteers, students, and interns from around 50 countries. https://sadhanaforest.org/

  • Roots To Rise: Applying Permaculture in Local Communities  (Stacey Doll, Santina Renzi, Emma Miles and Hugh Roberts)

Permaculture gardens for our senior communities and our veterans and a permaculture design and work party installation at a Brewery are all examples of the work the apprentices of Root to Rise are working on this summer. Come hear about our students’ experiences and their work applying permaculture in our communities, and learn about opportunities to get involved in future Root to Rise permaculture projects and hands-on learning experiences. Root to Rise is bringing permaculture education out of the classroom and into the real world. Come be a part of this movement!! 

 RESIDENTIAL SOLAR 101  - (Rex James)

During this primer in solar power, Rex will share: how solar works and the basics of net metering; financial benefits, incentives and rebates; how to understand your electric bill and how to offset your energy uses; project design and sizing; and solar equipment and their guarantees. The workshop will conclude with a question and answer period.

  • PERMACULTURE, POLITICS AND ACTIVISM - STORIES, LESSONS AND A CRY FOR HELP -  (SEAN CARNEY)

  • ORCHARD ECOSYSTEMS - (Michael phillips)

Our primary role as fruit growers is to build system health. Embracing forest edge ecology is an important starting point for biological advantage for fruiting plants. Equally apropos are fascinating ecosystem connections that keep insect challenges far more manageable. We’ll examine dynamics like beneficial accumulators, pollinator habitat, spider allies, even how plant growth cycles suggest particular task timing to enhance these connections. Holistic methods are about deep nutrition and competitive colonization … which are enhanced by knowing stewardship of the orchard ecosystem.

  • FUNGAL CONSCIOUSNESS -   (Michael Phillips)

This lively exploration of soil biology and healthy plant metabolism will rouse every gardener and fruit grower to think deeper. How mycorrhizal fungi enhance plant health is absolutely stunning. Nutrients are delivered by means of “fungus-root” synergy. A boost to green immune function helps keep disease at bay. Expansive fungal networks bring resiliency to ecosystems. Soil aggregate formation addresses carbon flow. Yet for the longest time, we have ignored basic soil biology and instead disturbed ecosystems at our own peril. Time to change all that, and fast!

  • TEN HERBS FOR FAMILY HEALTH – (Nancy Phillips)

Knowing the basics of herbal medicine – how to use plants to build health and treat common ailments – is a basic life skill. Learning about the healing power of plants helps us to take charge of our own health and reduce our reliance on “big medicine”. We’ll start off with a talk about the safety and toxicity issues of herbs, including general guidelines for using medicinal herbs alone or with other medications. Nancy will then share the healing qualities, growing habits, and harvesting tips for ten of her favorite herbs. She’ll discuss multiple uses for each herb and share how to make them into herbal preparations.

  • Tour of the farm: (Pierre Miron)

Take the tour of New Earth Organic Farm, the ecovillage's small-scale diversified organic farm. During it, learn about how we implement permaculture techniques and principles on the farm, intertwined with the organic practices and our particularities of being part of an ecovillage. From intensive culture used in our annual gardens and thoughtful combinations of perennial systems, through the holistic approach of dealing with pests and other challenges, and to projects and researches done on the farm, the visit will provide ample opportunities for discussion, sharing, and discovery.

  • Natural cheese-making for beginner (Lauviah Charboneu)

This workshop offers a different approach to cheese-making than the conventional way of doing it. While the industry uses laboratory cultures and chemicals, we use simple, natural ingredients: good fresh milk, kefir grains, rennet and sea salt. It's all you need to make the most delicious cheeses!

In this workshop, we will discuss the basic principles of cheese-making, and we will make fast mozzarella cheese.

  •  Shiitakes: (Luc Lamirande)

Mushrooms are exceptional in the kitchen and in the pharmacy too. And what about in the gardens; what can they bring to the system, and how do we grow them?  Come see New Earth Organic Farm’s shiitakes, 1000 logs outside installation. Luc will be more than happy to discuss with your tips and production techniques from the wood harvest and inoculation process to the mushroom harvest and much more. Additionally, there will be a hands-on to inoculate logs with shiitake and implant a wine cap patch.

  •  Seed saving 101: (Gloria Fortin)

During the workshop, Gloria will explain the basics of seed saving, broad principles, and different methods. Through a walk in the garden, we will discover easy plants to save seeds from, or to multiply vegetative. The techniques discussed will provide participants enough knowledge, and hopefully confidence to begin, or continue doing their own seed saving at home. Everybody will leave with seeds processed during the workshop.

  • A wild mushroom’s walk and discussion ( Social permaculture/people, environment & health): (Ann-Marie Jackson )

A discussion of the medicine found in mushrooms, a few of which are also culinary, and many that are not edible but only medical. Points will be made about safety; proper identification, allergies, and contradictions.

  • "Designing Ecosystems with Farm Animals"  (Marty Castriotta)

This workshop will explore the coevolution of productive ecosystems with farm animals.  Depending upon your own site and goals, farm animals might be the perfect elements to integrate into your permaculture design.  Whether it be small animals like rabbits, ducks or chickens or big ones like sheep, cows and pigs, this workshop will help you create a lens by which to determine how to best harness their natural tendencies and, in turn, how to best co-create the environment that suites their needs and desires

  • Home Gardens in the Caribbean: What can we learn from the tropics?: (Leon Malan)

 To many Americans, the Caribbean is associated with coral reefs, white beaches and luxury resorts.   These islands are also home to societies affected by climate change and food insecurity. This region of the world is experiencing increased temperature, ocean level rise, extreme weather events, and disruptions to their food system.

This discussion will share the experiences of a PDC on the island of St. Vincent where we designed and implemented home gardens for single female home owners. In addition to addressing food sovereignty and empowering women to shape their destiny, the designs aimed at greater climate resilience and carbon capture.  We will conclude by drawing some lessons and implications for a temperate climate.

  • The Art of Creating A Permie Business

    (Jesse Labbe-Watson & Patty Love)

Jesse and Patty will share their experiences in creating a permaculture business, using permaculture techniques and based in the ethics and principles.  

  • Does Living a Sustainable Lifestyle Make You Happy?

    (Dr. Suzanne Moberly, EDd)

Discover the correlation between individual well-being and living a sustainable lifestyle.  This workshop provides a framework to think about how changes within mainstream communities and individual choices contribute to creating healthier, greener communities and a deeper level of personal well-being.

  • Designers’ Lounge!: Sponsored by PAN

A Networking and Hangout Event for Established, New and Aspiring Permaculture Designers…

  • Are you an experienced permaculture designer able to share an example of your work?
  • Are you a newer designer looking for feedback on your work?
  • Are you an aspiring designer looking for ideas on what different techniques can look like?
  • Are you simply a PDC graduate looking to hang with some of your people?
  • Do you have a super-snazzy ‘lounge’ outfit to dress-up in? Monocle? Fancy hat? Bring it! Bring your best lounge lizard game!

Then join us for a casual session we’re calling The Designers’ Lounge at the end of the day on Saturday (kind of a “happy hour” before supper).  If you can join us, drop Jesse a line (below) and bring along a sample design or portfolio, supporting written materials (questionnaires, intake forms, establishment/maintenance plans, etc.), photographs of projects and anything else that would be fun to share and show off.  Bring a cache of business cards to distribute to your compatriots and potential clients as well!
Contact for this session:

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