Six-Part Workshop Series:
Permaculture Design: Applications & Inspirations
Presented by Salem Permaculture Guild
Six Consecutive Saturday Afternoons: 1 – 3 pm
March 9th – April 13th, 2013
At the Straub Environmental
Center (1320 A. St. NE, Salem)
Permaculture is a design
system that enables humans to interact in a positive and regenerative way with
our surroundings, as we consciously create lifeways that emulate natural
patterns such as diversity, connectivity, resilience, flow, and cycling.
This introductory/intermediate
workshop series will give a taste of the principles, applications, and
inspirations of permaculture, and provide an opportunity to see the depth and
breadth of its roots. It will be a
jumping-off point for understanding how natural systems work and how we can
design human environments that produce abundant food, water, energy, health,
and community. Each workshop will
be taught by a different instructor on a topic that best utilizes her/his
interests and experiences within the world of permaculture. Please see descriptions below for more
details on each workshop topic.
The hands-on learning focus of this workshop series is key to its
content. The workshops will be taught using description, images and videos,
group discussion, exercises, and other methods that suit a wide variety of
learning styles.
The
first workshop in the series will serve as a great beginning to the 6-workshop
series, though each of the workshops may stand alone as well (i.e. attendance
at the first workshop is not required to attend any of the other five).
_______________________________________________________________________
March
9th: Concepts and
Methods in Permaculture Design: We Are All Designers
(Kendy Radasky, M.S., Permaculture Designer and Educator)
In
this introductory workshop, we will learn about the ecological principles upon
which the concepts of permaculture are based (i.e. succession, resilience,
diversity, flow, cycles, yield...).
We will explore the process of permaculture design as an emulation of
natural patterns, and realize together that most of us already do this in our
daily lives! Finally, we will
introduce (and play with) selected techniques for the layering and grouping of
desired elements in a landscape design, as we are guided by the ethics and
principles of permaculture.
March
16th: Backyard Homesteading: Integrating Animals and
Edibles in Permacultural Design (Desta
Moore, Urban/Suburban Homesteader)
Explore
ideas to maximize food production in urban and small-scale rural permaculture
systems. Focusing on chickens, turkeys, ducks and goats, we will discuss
low-input ways to produce meat, eggs and milk while increasing soil health for
gardening.
March
23rd: Water Use: Efficacy, Efficiency & Ecology for the Home and Plant
Propagation (Karl Mohr,Viticulturist)
Explore
how swales, drainage modification, ponds, cisterns, and soil amendments can be
used to improve available water holding capacity, curb erosion, and lessen the
need for irrigation. Learn how to reuse/repurpose materials for creating
water infrastructure.
Additionally,
learn about plant propagation for locally-encountered plants: cuttings,
layering, bulbs of all kinds and seed-saving. We will discuss how particular techniques/habitats for
plant propagation might relate to the overall system one has in place at their
home.
March
30th: Embodied Ecology: Sustainability in Motion (Matthew Nelson, MFA,
Certified Laban Movement Analyst)
Ecology
studies the relationships between living systems. We are creative systems
within our own selves. In this class we will take the principles
of
Permaculture and apply them to the physics, philosophies, and lived experiences
of our bodies moving. This class is for every body, and will support you
to work at your own level. Come dressed to move! Contact me through
www.bodysensate.com if you have questions or concerns.
April
6th: Towards a
Permaculture of the Body: Patterns in Human Health and Nutrition (Janine Martin-Horst, Nutritional Therapy
Practitioner)
The
healthy human body is a diverse ecosystem including thousands of species of
bacteria and fungi. Unfortunately, just as broader ecosystems have been
devastated by industrial monocultures, so too have our internal microbiomes
been ravaged by poor nutrition and the indiscriminate use of pharmaceuticals,
including antibiotics. We will explore strategies and techniques for the
prolonged and thoughtful observation needed for intervening in human health,
and examine patterns in human health to restore our bodies to optimal
well-being. Respecting the diverse micro-ecology of the body, we will seek
to understand microbial niches and build resilient internal polycultures,
starting with delicious fermented snacks and an introduction to a vibrant,
health-building cuisine.
April
13th: Permaculture for Kids (and Kids at Heart)* – Ages 5
and up** (Roman Shapla, Youth
Educator, Children's Permaculture Guild)
Join
us as we introduce children to basic permaculture concepts and ideas.
Kids
will learn about sustainability through cooperative games, natural art, and
hands-on activities.
*This final workshop will be taught for and to children. However, if you (an adult) are
interested in learning (by example) some techniques for bringing permaculture
into the lives of children you love, please come and participate. By all means, bring the children, but
you are also welcome to attend alone (you must be willing to bring out your
child-energy!).
**This workshop is included in the full workshop series
price – bring a child or two.
As stand-alone workshop: $5 per child (adults free if attending with
child(ren)… Otherwise, $5
per adult.
