"From Cuyama to Kenya: Interweaving Permaculture & International Development"
excerpt from article by Zeya Schindler
read full article here
The wisdom and care that characterized the relationship between the residents and
the ecology of Quail Springs were mirrored in the quality and the delivery of the
course. The combination of practical knowledge and deep insight provided by Warren
Brush and a wealth of guest teachers spoke to a profound understanding of both the
challenges we face and the potential to meet and transform them by living with integrity
in our relationship to the natural systems that sustain us.
As I had hoped, what was on offer was not just instruction in practical aspects
of design but an opportunity to develop a different way of seeing and experiencing,
of valuing interdependence and designing for the kind of resilience that is only
possible through recognition of relationship to our ecology.
The course was a powerful confirmation of the value of bringing the principles of
permaculture into increasing connection with the world of development and international
aid. And that confirmation has shaped the unfolding of my own life as well. My relationship
to Quail Springs has grown and deepened in the years since my design course, with
frequent visits to learn and share.
In January of this year, I had the great fortune of traveling to Kenya with Warren
Brush to help facilitate that country's first ever Permaculture Training of Teachers.
Organized by Permaculture Research Institute Kenya, the cohort was an amazing mix
of community leaders, teachers and NGO staff from around East Africa and beyond,
developing their skills as permaculture teachers so as to impact their own communities
and enact positive change.
What began for me as an inquiry into the potential value of permaculture design
in development has brought me into connection with many amazing individuals and
projects also working to bridge those two worlds. Having one foot firmly in the
world of ecological design has not led me to reject the world of development....
My hope is that these many bridges will continue to take real and definite shape,
allowing the best of both worlds safe passage across.
read full article here
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Zeya Schindler is a writer, storyteller and photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
He holds a master’s degree in Development and Emergency Practice from Oxford Brookes University
and is a student of permaculture, ecological design and natural building.
Zeya Schindler
MA Development & Emergency Practice
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offered annually in the summertime, with upcoming dates June 21 - July 5, 2014, please visit the course webpage:
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Kolmi Majumdar
Quail Springs Permaculture
QUAIL SPRINGS PERMACULTURE 2014 CALENDAR
June 21 - July 5. Permaculture Design Course for International Development and Social Entrepreneurship
July 26-27. Quail Springs Summer Farm Benefit & Tour
August 9-10. Buckskin Moccasins, a Wild Series Workshop
September 26-28. Introduction to Permaculture Weekend
October 2-5. Land Restoration Training Course
October 16-19. Applied Aquaponics Course
October 25 - November 8. Quail Springs Permaculture Design Course
November 10-12. Applied Permaculture Design Weekend