[Lapg] Keyline design and holistic management at Pine Ridge reservation

[Cory Brennan]

We have two great teachers for this course, both recommended by Darren Doherty, and we're going to be implementing some major ecological rehab as a result of this course. Be part of the history at Pine Ridge Lakota reservation! More info at permacultureguild.us

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Are you interested in learning how to rehabilitate and regenerate degraded environments on a broad scale basis – 1000’s of acres?  Or on a small, one acre farm?

Would you like to see degraded, overgrazed lands at Pine Ridge Lakota reservation transformed to the rich, diverse prairie systems the Lakota enjoyed 150 years ago?

Would you like to find out how ranchers and farmers can reduce CO2 levels substantially while enhancing ecosystems and increasing profits?

This course will enable the Lakota at Pine Ridge reservation to begin the process of regenerating many thousands of acres of land on the reservation and managing herds in harmony with indigenous wisdom so that they help keep the prairies healthy instead of destroying them.  The project will create economic opportunity for the tribe in a cultural context while regenerating ecosystems.  Be a part of and contribute to this historic and exciting process.

Holistic Management can be considered a form of permaculture for ranchers.  It is a method of working with the energies and laws of nature to improve soil health and the biodiversity of rangelands and pastures and increase grazing and wildlife capacity while increasing annual profits and enhancing livelihoods.  Also covered is optimal rainfall usage, using herd animals to regenerate prairie, methods of reversing desertification, increasing food and water security and enhancing family relationships.  Whether you are a rancher or not, you will walk away from this course with a knowledge of principles that apply to any system – how human systems can enhance nature instead of harming her.

Keyline design is a method of capturing and controlling water, aerate soil and bring fertility and abundance back to degraded drylands quickly, while providing enough water to continue to build and regenerate a full, diverse, mature ecosystem.  It can be done on a small or large scale.  HM and keyline are responsible for regenerating thousands of acres of degraded and abused land, creating carbon sequestration, rich wildlife habitat and food systems such as agroforestry.

Two of the most experienced and well respected instructors/designers in the US will be teaching this course.  Between them they have decades of experience and walk their talk, using the principles on their own successful ranches.

Your course fees will help fund a keyline plow and other key expenses of getting this project implemented.

July 21-25 intensive

Opportunities for apprenticing and volunteer work after course.

Course fees: $795, includes materials

For more info write: cory at permacultureguild.us

Instructors:

Kirk Gadzia owns and operates Resource Management Services, a training and consulting firm located in Bernalillo, NM.   He is a certified Educator with Holistic Management International.  Kirk has over 25 years experience teaching the concepts of Holistic Management and has taught over 250 Holistic Management training seminars and workshops internationally.

The focus of his work is a holistic approach to agriculture and life, whereby land, animals, crops, wildlife and other resources are planned into the operation and financial picture.  The model for making this work is mimicking natural systems and balancing life style with long and short term goals. The decision making processed used to achieve this balance is called Holistic Management.

Kirk works directly with producers to achieve profitability in their operations.  He has extensive international consulting experience with many large ranching and agricultural operations throughout the United States and overseas.  In addition, Kirk also provides customized training and consulting to a wide variety of public and private business and conservation organizations.  Kirk is co-author of the National Academy of Science 1994 publication entitled Rangeland Health, and is working to improve rangeland health monitoring techniques in a wide variety of environments.

Years of assisting people on the land helps Kirk approach the course in an interactive, hands-on style.  His courses are known for their relaxed atmosphere, open dialogue and practical real-life examples.  He is uniquely qualified to help you achieve your own distinctive learning objectives.

Abe Collins is a grazier in St. Albans, Vermont.  He founded New Soil Matrix, Inc, and co-founded Carbon Farmers of America, a Vermont farmer-owned company that introduced the idea and practice of accelerated topsoil formation to numerous farmers and policy makers around the world.

Abe’s focus for the last 15 years has been studying and developing management tools to rapidly build new topsoil and reverse desertification.  He has carried that work through New Soil Matrix to enable farmers and policymakers to scale and monetize topsoil formation while cost-effectively meeting the environmental services needs of cities.

Abe worked with Native American communities focused on land restoration through the 1990’s.  Much of this time was spent working with the Black Mesa Permaculture Project (BMPP) while living on the Navajo Nation.  Through this work and practical trials Abe laid the foundation for New Soil Matrix decision-support software and ground-tested numerous soilbuilding tools.

From Abe:

“By combining Planned Grazing and subsoil (keyline) plowing we can convert subsoil to topsoil at astounding rates. The resulting robust photosynthesis and rapid decay of pasture roots transforms atmospheric carbon dioxide into stable humus in topsoil. If enough of us farmers embrace soilbuilding, we can reduce atmospheric CO2 from current levels to near pre-industrial levels within ten years. In other words, we can stabilize climate-change as a by-product of profitable, ecological farming._This discussion will go beyond using less hair-spray, driving less and the Kyoto protocol; we will address and examine policy and citizen action that can harmonize people, land, water and atmosphere. Energy and fuel issues will be tackled. Together, farmers and our conscious customers can restore biodiversity, build deep topsoil and stabilize CO2 levels. The choice of our legacy to future generations is before us; this presentation will give you new and empowering
 information to incorporate into your farm and daily life.”