2013 Southern California Permaculture Convergence: March 9-10, 2013

at the Sky Mountain Institute in Escondido, CA
Featuring Keynote Speaker Paul Wheaton (permies.com)

Tickets $75.00 - Buy Tickets HERE
Space is limited.

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Permaculture Earthworks Workshop with Paul Wheaton: March 6-8, 2013
at the Sky Mountain Institute in Escondido, CA

$400 Early Bird Rate (Paid in full by February 15, 2013)

TO REGISTER CLICK HERE
Space is limited.
Contact: Diego, diego.crfg@yahoo.com

Increase your knowledge of permaculture earthworks during this hands on 3 day workshop taught by Paul Wheaton. You will be able to watch a raw San Diego hillside side go through a permaculture design process. From mapping to final construction to planting out of the installations. It will all be done during these 3 days. Currently an estimated 350,000 gallons of runoff water runs down through the property untouched. Some of the earthworks (swales, ponds) designed and constructed in this class will be placed and designed to alter this erosive overland flow and to maximize water capture and retention in the landscape. Earthworks will be constructed to create cool zones to give plants a reprieve from the hot summer sun and shield them from the local winds. The earthworks will be mulched and the construction of a food forest will take place with the planting of cover crops, fruit trees, and support species trees. Course participants will have the opportunity for hands on participation and to contribute during the design process and work on all of the earthworks.
FULL WORKSHOP DETAILS HERE



Southern California Convergence Lectures and Workshops

Keynote Speech- Paul Wheaton- 60 Permaculture Tinkers in 60 Minutes, HUSP and More

Native Edibles Cooking Class- Alden and Ann Hough

Enjoy a wild edible plant walk around Harmony Grove with Alden and Ann

Food preparation class and find out how to:
   * Safely identify and respectfully forage wild edible plants
   * Incorporate these plants in their food forests
   * Prepare delicious, nutritious recipes

* Discover how our health can benefit from including these plants in our dietto add text, images, and other content

Fruit Tree Grafting & Care Workshop- Ben Kotnik

Learn about fruit tree propagation through grafting. Class will cover basic grafting principles and techniques applicable to many trees, as well as some more advanced aspects not shown in books or videos. A limited number of dwarf Apple trees will be available for participants to graft, and purchase if desired. We will also field graft a few established trees on the property to fit multiple varieties on one tree, conserving space in the garden and allowing for a progressive harvest. Grafting is fun and the best way to keep heirlooms and other rare varieties from disappearing forever. Permaculturists should also be propagators; after all it’s a generative process!

Passive Buliding Design- Candace Vanderhoff

Strategies and techniques to heat and cool buildings without using mechanical systems. Presentation is a hands-on, design workshop that will allow everyone to participate and contribute with the final outcome some very interesting ideas.

San Diego Water and Agriculture: Past, Present, and Future- Josh Robinson

Water and food go hand in hand and are inexplicably linked to habitation of Southern California. This slideshow will look at how people have lived and settled in the San Diego region from indigenous to early immigrants to modern day society as a means to understand how San Diego could look in the future

The Sun Crop Spectacular- San Diego Seed Company

Learn what plants grow best in our hot summers, how to care for them and what to watch out for. Learn the keys to year-round production and the secrets of pollination and seed saving.

Introduction to Permaculture Design- Michelle Bernson

Come learn the basic design principles to start planning a permaculture design. We'll go over the key concepts and design principles surrounding this vast subject. We'll dive into what is needed to start your design and how you can begin to change your landscape into a more earth friendly, responsible place.

The Importance of Including Wildlife Habitat- Diane Kennedy

What is the difference between dirt and soil? In this session we will examine soil samples, discuss the planting combinations in a food forest, and explain how plants communicate. We will also talk about why planting natives and providing for habitat is vital. Most importantly we will explore how you can use this knowledge to activiate your own garden soil organically without spending huge amounts of money.

Making Money Selling Directly to Eaters- Mark Wall

Learn how to generate income selling in your community and at local events including farmers markets. Testing what will sell, gathering information from customers and potential customers, and taking advantage of the new cottage food law that allows some home processing.

Uncovering Authentic Community- Raffi Aftandelian

Come for a short presentation and then a conversation based on the ideas presented. We are going to be talking about what a complex time we are living in, which requires more and more capacity for very different people and groups to be able to collaborate effectively. We are currently working on an unspoken assumption that if you bring people together who care about something, that it will all work out. But will it really? There is certain something, perhaps it can be called "authentic community", that is necessary. Community - in a sense- is soil for human life. Yet, it is worth examining what we mean by community, how it is created and how it is sustained.

Urban Backyard Chickens- Britt Cool

An overview of raising chickens in an urban yard, including explanations about:

- local laws and codes

- needs and requirements of chickens

- building a chicken coop

- proper feed for the birds

- care and feeding of urban chickens

- what to do with a sick chicken

- use of chicken poop in the garden

Tai Chi Flow- Claudia F.

Get "in the Zone" through flowing gentle movements like Tai Chi and other arts, that will stretch your body and awaken your senses. Tai Chi is an ancient Martial Art originated from China, practiced for self-defense and for its health benefits. No skills needed for this easy-to-follow class. Focusing the mind solely on the slow movements helps achieve a state of mental calm and clarity similar to deep meditation.

Become a Sustainable Family- Amy Hite

A sustainable family creates a safe, positive, and supportive environment allowing all family members to thrive and develop their fullest potential. Topics of discussion will include communication, parenting, and growing food, reducing waste, finances, self-sufficiency, holistic health, community and more.

Introduction to Fertility Awareness- Hannah Ransom

This talk will include what fertility awareness is, discussing the difference between fertility awareness and the rhythm method, the hormones of the menstrual cycle, how the hormones change biologic markers that are apparent to you (thus forming the basis of the use of this method as birth control or pregnancy achievement), how to learn the method, benefits you can get from charting, and who is an appropriate candidate for using fertility awareness as birth control.

Hillside Gardening- Connie Beck

There is more to planting a slope than ice plant! This class will help you choose wisely for hillside plantings relying on a variety of types of plants for interest, beauty, and soil stabilization. Pathways, steps, mulching and irrigation methods will also be discussed. The PowerPoint presentation features many photos to illustrate examples of good ways to handle slopes as well as less successful plantings you will want to avoid.

Companion Planting- Michelle Bernson

Companion planting throughout the landscape is an important part of integrated pest management. Learn how to use Companion planting as a holistic concept that will fit perfectly into your permaculture designs. By using companion planting, many gardeners find that they can discourage harmful pests without losing the beneficial allies. Companion planting can combine beauty and purpose to give you an enjoyable, healthy environment.

Greywater Reclamation- Bob Lloyd

Get a Virtual tour of an experimental greywater reclamation system that includes a constructed wetland which supports a wide diversity of aquatic life including dragonfly larva, tadpoles, frogs, diving beetles, and many other native aquatic organisms. Water from the constructed wetland is used for all current irrigation needs, supplying a drip system to a garden and 50 small fruit trees. Along with a 10,000 gallon pond/rainwater catchment/Koi system. 1 inch of rain yields about 1000gal. Get a peek at a liner that was designed to withstand sunlight exposure and has other superior characteristics to commercially available liners. We’ll wrap up with a brief presentation on environmental toxins and even look at some water samples!

Peak Phosphorous and N-Pee-K: Urine in Agriculture Today and Tomorrow- Charles Anacker

The class will present the facts about Peak Phosphorus and how this critical resource to our agriculture is only found in significant quantities in the United States, China, and the disputed territory of the Western Sahara that is currently controlled by Morocco. Even this supply is running out and the cost to agriculture is going to significantly decrease and crop yields will go down and people will be without food. Currently, we are literally flushing this valuable resource away as we have broken the bicycle and we harvest minerals and other nutrients from the soil, never returning them, and so we are depleting our top soils at a frightening rate. Sweden and Finland, two countries that have no phosphorous to mine, have taken a leading role with creating systems to collect and recycle urine as a fertilizer, capturing significant quantities of NPK and other valuable and plant absorbable nutrients and have also shared this information along with the World Health Organization with third world countries that cannot afford chemical fertilizers and other imported agricultural inputs. The result has been an increase in crop yields, improved soil fertility, improved sanitation, and prosperity. The class will suggest easy methods to apply this to home gardens, aquaculture, and farms.

Raw Food Class- Jenn Shultz

Join Raw Food Chef Jenn Shultz as she teaches you to make two Alchemy & Craft dishes with local & raw ingredients!

The class includes a step by step demonstration of how to prepare a delicious meal with organic, vegan, gluten free and raw ingredients. We will make a creamy hummus dip and a delicious, filling wrap with local ingredients, many of which you can grow in your food forest or while wild foraging! Each participant will receive written instructions, recipes and samples.

Holistic, Local, Seasonal Foods- Jessica Kramer

Come join me for this super fun, hands-on discussion focusing on the health benefits of eating local, sustainable foods! Emphasis on "Spring Cleaning", how to use the abundant foods of spring to feel like a million bucks! You will learn where to get these amazing foods and how to turn them into magically delicious treats for you & those you love. We will also discuss the dangers of processed foods, labeling deceptions and how to avoid them.

Building a Beehive and Introduction to Bee Keeping- Erik Collins

Come for an Introduction to Bee Keeping and get some hands-on experience on building your own bee hive!

The Secret Life of Plants: How Plants Control the World Around Them- Jill Richardson

Puke, Purge and Sweat: The Logic of Western Herbal Therapeutics- Joanne Odenthal, Cindy and Rebekah

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Learn the logic behind Western herbal practice and the types of herbs that induce different reactions in the body. In order to choose the appropriate herb or herbs for a condition, it’s important to know whether the effect will be diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, purifying or tonifying (to name a few actions). We’ll discuss the actions of a number of important Western herbs, share samples, and demonstrate one way to create an herbal formula.

Beginning Herbal Remedies Demonstration Workshop- Joanne Odenthal, Cindy and Rebekah

Level: Beginner

Learn how to make basic herbal remedies for yourself and your family. Joanne, Cindy and Rebekah are Clinical Herbalists who believe in grassroots, community herbalism. We’ll demonstrate techniques and share samples, including some of our favorite remedies to add to your home remedy toolkit. Recipes provided!

Tour of Sky Mountain Institute's Permaculture Demonstration Gardens- Alden Hough

Join Alden for this tour when he will show you the many permaculture features that have been created in the Sky Mountain demonstration gardens. These include rainwater harvesting earthworks, grey water systems, roof water catchments, ponds, food forests and many more!

Aquaponics: an Introduction- Rob Howard

Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines raising fish and plants in a symbiotic environment. Fish waste accumulates in the water, increasing the ammonia content. Water is pumped through material friendly to bacteria, breaking down the ammonia into nitrates and nitrites for the plants to grow. The plants absorb the nitrogen and leave clean water to flow back for the fish.

Rob’s system is a series of ponds and waterfalls that lead water through planting areas. It is heated with a rocket stove mass heater. It was created using cement ponds, holes lined with rubber, and modified food storage “totes.” Topics will include creating water flow, types of fish and plants to use, best materials for bacteria, use of worms, application of permaculture principles, construction of the mass heater and rocket stove, and water collection. Time will be made for group discussion and sharing of experiences and trial and error.

What We Can do to Help the Bees- Geoff Kipps-Bolton

Bees are absolutely vital to provide abundant, varied food. Beekeeping is a rare example of mankind introducing a non-native species for his own benefit and it not becoming a disaster. Geoff believes that not only are the bees at risk, beekeepers are also under threat. If we don’t allow, no, encourage, people to accept bees and even learn how to keep bees, a valuable skill will be lost, one which mankind may not be able to do without!

So you may ask, ‘What can we do to help the bees?’ Come and find out!

Ruminations on Environmental Remediation- Ryan Unmack

Ryan has begun to put together a new talk about environmental remediation for a permaculture audience. It will be sure to include information about the conventional remediation process with shared practical experiences with ground water cleanup, soil gas mitigation, and soil remediation. I will also pull in divergent experiences in low cost bio-remediation for the developing world based on experiments being conducted as part of a PhD study by Henry Haller Co-founder of Finca Montesano. In presenting an approach for the developing world and conventional remediation practices for the developed world, it is sure that some interesting and perplexing permacultural questions will be raised.

Building a Food Forest- Joey D'Elia

Let's explore the layers and function of a forest. Come for an outdoor look at a food forest and how to create one. If you like trees this class is for you! Learn about the needs and wants of trees and how they enjoy living together. Looking to the wisdom of the forest is a very nice path to permanence.

Practical Perspective for Homescale Water Design in Southern California- Brook Sarson

Remember the first Principle of Permaculture Design: Long and Thoughtful Observation. Let's observe how rainwater tanks, greywater systems, and earthworks can Work together to empower Southern California homeowners to work towards water consciousness.

There are many elements to assess when designing for home-scale water resources in Southern California. As Permaculture Designers, we want to ensure that we aren't simply picking a "cool" strategy as a one-size-fits-all solution. We can present the best options to our clients and our communities by careful observation and a deeper understanding of our area's water portrait.

We will explore some common, simple solutions that are working in San Diego including costs, materials, best practices, and resources.

Basic Ecology for Permaculture- Jane Higginson

As defined by Bill Mollison, founder of permaculture, it is the “conscious design … of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems … Permaculture design is a system of assembling … components in a pattern which functions to benefit life in all its forms … working with, rather than against, nature.”

But what are ecosystems, especially “natural” ecosystems? What makes them resilient? What could be meant by “benefit life in all its forms”? This lecture will explore these and other pertinent questions you may be asking yourself such as: “Why are there so many gophers in my yard?” “Am I at the tippy-top of the food chain?” “Ouch -- am I in a biodiversity hotspot?” “What is ‘edge’ and how can I get more of it?” Does energy flow -- or does it cycle, or does it loop the loop?” “What habitat is that?” “Is my site succeeding in succession?”

Your observations, questions and comments will be (briefly) entertained.

Becoming a Sustainable Family- Amy Hite

Riparian Landscapes- Jacob Hatch

This will be a hands-on class on the installation, maintenance and importance of the Riparian Landscape in a natural pond setting.