[Scpg] SUSTAINABLE AG Lecture Series SLO CA to begin 9/30! & more....

Tue Sep 21 14:11:14 PDT 2004

Hello all  

Cal Poly students and faculty:  Welcome back!  Hope this is the start of a 
great year for everyone.

A few quick announcements from SARC (Cal Poly, SLO):

1.  SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE LECTURE SERIES BEGINS on 9/30!
2.  SARC’s office has moved to Room 11-227.
3.  STRAWBALE RENOVATION continues at Student Farm:  Helpers welcome!
4.  Cal Poly ORGANIC ENTERPRISE class starts this week!
5.  MIDWESTERN FARMERS to talk about GE Crops in Arroyo Grande (9/22)
6.  Lecture on SUSTAINABLE BUILDING in SLO (9/22)
7.  SLOW Food  event will feature potluck delicacies in Santa Margarita (10/3)
8.  Forum on GE CROPS to be held at Cal Poly on (10/6)
9.  JOB OPENINGS in integrated pest management
10.  Water quality improvement GRANT OPPORTUNITY through SRWQCB

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1.  On Thursday September 30th at 5 pm in Cal Poly’s Chumash Auditorium (in
the

University Union), the Sustainable Agriculture Resource Consortium (SARC)
will 
present "WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?", the first in a year-long series of
lectures 
and presentations introducing and exploring sustainable agriculture and the 
ideas underlying it. This first lecture is designed to introduce the general 
idea of sustainability and show how it is addressed and implemented in 
architecture and city planning, engineering and, of course, agriculture.
Neal 
MacDougall, the Faculty Director of SARC and a professor in the Agribusiness 
Department will introduce the panelists which include Dr. Deanna Richards of 
the College of Engineering, a faculty member from the College of Architecture 
and  Environmental Design, and Dr. John Phillips of the College of
Agriculture.

There will be a question and answer session after the presentations. The
event 
will last until 6:30 pm. The event is free and open to public.

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2.  THE SARC OFFICE is no longer in Bldg. 10, but has relocated to the 
Horticulture and Crop Science Department in Bldg. 11 (next to the Campus 
Market), Room 227.  Stop by to say hello if you are on campus!

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3.  The SARC and Cal Poly Organic Farm would like to acknowledge and thank 
local sustainable builder Mikel Robertson and his crew for their on-going 
efforts in the improvement of the STRAWBALE BUILDING at the Student 
Experimental Farm!  This project will continue over the next few weeks.  
Student and community members who are interested in alternative building 
techniques (for trim, plasters, floors, etc.) are encouraged to help out and 
learn more.  Stop by the Farm, or contact Hunter for more info:  756-5086.

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4.  Cal Poly’s Enterprise for Organic Vegetable Production (CRSC 202) begins 
this week!  All students are welcome, and no previous ag experience is 
necessary.  Dr. Headrick tells me there is also some room left in “Biological 
Control of Insects” (PPSC 441).  All the issues and technologies involved in 
biocontrol (used in organic and conventional farming).  A great way to
explore 
the world of BUGS!  Pass it on...

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5.  “GE ON THE FARM:  Mid-Western farmers share their stories”, a panel 
discussion on GE crops will be held this Wednesday evening at 6 pm, at the 
American Legion Hall Post 136, on 417 Orchard Drive, Arroyo Grande.  
Genetically engineered corn, soy, canola and cotton have been grown 
commercially in the Midwest for almost a decade.  This panel will host
farmers 
who have experienced widespread adoption of GE crops and resultant market 
impacts, liability issues, weed resistance, seed contracts and patents.  
Speakers include Dan McGuire, CEO of the American Corn Growers Association, 
Bill Wenzel of the National Family Farm Coalition, a wheat farmer and a rice 
farmer.

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6.  NATURAL BUILDING PIONEER Joseph F. Kennedy will lead an evening of 
exploration of the world of natural building with a slide show and book
signing

event of the books The Art of Natural Building, and the recently released 
Building Without Borders.  Joseph F. Kennedy is a designer, builder, writer, 
artist, educator and cofounder of Builders Without Borders 
(www.builderswithoutborders.org ).  A fresh look at age old building 
technologies, The Art of Natural Building offers a thorough overview of 
material, techniques and resources from the leaders of the modern day 
movement.  Wed., Sept 22, 2004, 7 pm at the Ludwig Center on Santa Rosa St.
in 
downtown SLO. $5 donation requested.

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7.  TAPAS, ANTIPASTI, HORS D'OEUVRES!  The SLO Slow Food group will meet at 
Christine and Jim Maguire's beautiful Rinconada Dairy in Santa Margarita at 
3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 3.  You are invited to bring a fall-inspired
tapa,

antipasto or hors d'oeuvre to share, as well as wine or beverage of your 
choice.  This is a good opportunity to meet others interested in promoting
and 
sustaining local, seasonal, traditional and naturally grown and produced
food. 

It’s suggested that you assemble a "traveling picnic kit" with your own
dishes,

cutlery and glassware, rather than using disposable items.  A business
meeting 
will include a report of fund-raising efforts and membership drive.  If you 
have not joined SLO Food yet, membership applications will be available.
Call

or email Mimi Kalland for details:  528-0355 or mkalland at charter.net    

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8.  A panel discussion on issues surrounding the use of GENETICALLY MODIFIED 
CROPS will take place at Cal Poly on October 6th at 7 p.m. in the Performing 
Arts Center located on campus (Grand Avenue).  Panelists from both sides of
the

issue will share their views and how they relate to SLO County’s Measure Q 
(whose adoption would ban the growing of GE crops in unincorporated areas of 
the County).  Speakers TBA; details to follow soon.  (NOTE: As stated 
elsewhere, Cal Poly, as a publicly-funded institution, neither endorses, nor 
opposes Measure Q).

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9.  TWO JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS for pest control people:  A) Entomological
Services, 
Inc. (ESI) is looking for a motivated consulting entomologist. PCA License or 
the ability to obtain license required. Position is for the southern
California

area. We specialize in citrus and avocado IPM. Truck, 401K, profit sharing, 
medical & competitive salary. Send resume to ESI, P.O. Box 3043, Visalia, Ca 
93278 or contact Robert Walther at rhwalther at hotmail.com Office (559) 627-
1153.     B) Bio Ag Services Corporation (Kern County) is looking for an 
experienced or entry level PCA with a degree in pest management or a related 
field.  We specialize in IPM of grapes, tree fruit, citrus, and nuts.  The
job 
includes scouting orchards and vineyards, recommendations, sales of plant 
health and nutrition products, and contacting new clients for our pest 
management and biological control programs.  Send resume and list of relevant 
class work to Donald Thomas at 17459 S. 10th Ave., Hanford, CA  93230, or by 
email to drthomas at sti.net . For information call 805-838-4074.

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10.  Agricultural Water Quality Grant Program GRANT OPPORTUNITY:  The State 
Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Financial Assistance 
(Division) is accepting applications for the Agricultural Water Quality Grant 
Program (AWQGP) and Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319 Nonpoint Source 
Implementation Grant Program (Section 319).1 The AWQGP provides grants for 
projects that define, reduce, or eliminate the discharge of polluted runoff 
from irrigated agricultural lands. Applicants with projects that address 
Nonpoint Source Pollution from sources other than irrigated agriculture are 
invited to apply for Section 319 grant funds.  For more information, see 
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/funding/awqgp/docs/solicitationnotice.pdf,  or
contact 
Alison Jones, local Watershed Coordinator at 542-4646.

..............................................................................
Hunter Francis
Program Coordinator
Sustainable Agriculture Resource Consortium
c/o Horticulture and Crop Science Department
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, California  93407
(805)756-5086
Sustainable-Agriculture-Resource-Center/cpslo_unit at degas.artisan.calpoly.edu

Santa Barbara Permaculture Network
(805) 962-2571
sbpcnet at silcom.com
www.sbpermaculture.org

"We are like trees, we must create new leaves, in new directions, in order to
grow." - Anonymous