[Scpg] Season's Greetings from SARC! (UPDATE) SLO

[Santa Barbara Permaculture Network]

Holiday greetings from the SARC!

This has been a particularly fruitful year for the SARC and the Cal Poly
Organic Farm, with several new employees having joined our team and many new
projects under way.  Our newest staff member, Christine Casillas, joined SARC
this month as our new Outreach Coordinator.  Anastasia Killham (the former
Coordinator) has moved on to new adventures.  Welcome, Christine & many thanks
to Anastasia for her 2 years of dedicated service!

I would also like to acknowledge several College of Agriculture faculty
(http://www.calpoly.edu/~sarc/staff.htm) who have been particularly helpful
this
year in helping the SARC to define four new ‘Program Areas’
(http://www.calpoly.edu/~sarc/programareas.htm) through which many future SARC
programs will be offered.  Long-time Advisor to the Cal Poly Organic Farm, Dr.
John Phillips, will be helping the SARC to launch a ‘Cal Poly Organic
Initiative’ in 2007.  Dr. David Headrick will be directing SARC’s new
‘Professional Education Program’, offering trainings such as the annual
Sustainable Agriculture PCA Conference.  Dr. Ramon Leon is helping the SARC
develop an ‘International Program’, which we are hoping will re-inaugurate
student exchanges with EARTH University in Costa Rica (among other
institutions), and SARC Faculty Director, Dr. Neal MacDougall, will be working
with other College faculty to develop a SARC Wine & Viticulture Program to
advance ideas for sustainability in that growing arena.

FOR THOSE ATTENDING THE PCA CONFERENCE (Dec. 1-2), or for anyone interested in
resources on sustainable pest control, PLEASE NOTE: most of the presentations
given at that annual SARC event have been linked to the Conference agenda at:
http://www.calpoly.edu/~sarc/PCA06agenda.htm

Speaker presentations are downloadable in PDF format and offer a wealth of
information to growers and consultants in agriculture.  May thanks to speakers
and sponsors of this event; it was very well received by those in attendance!

You may also wish to check out pictures from the December Conference at:
http://www.calpoly.edu/~sarc/06pcapix.htm

And, recently updated pictures from our June Fundraiser Dinner at:
http://www.calpoly.edu/~sarc/06fundraiserpix.htm

CAL POLY MIXER at ECO-FARM: Our next public gathering will be at the annual
Ecological Farming Conference at the beautiful Asilomar grounds in Pacific
Grove (near Monterey). The Conference will take place Jan 24-27, 2007.
Keynote
speakers include Richard Heinberg on "Peak Oil: Forty Million Farmers Needed"
and Miguel Altieri of UC Berkeley on "Agroecology: Challenges and
Opportunities
of the Sustainable Agriculture Movement in the 21st Century. Visit the website
for details: www.eco-farm.org.  THE SARC WILL BE HOSTING A ‘CAL POLY
MIXER’
FROM 5:30-7:00 PM IN THE SURF & SAND LIVING ROOM ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 26TH. 
Please join us with Cal Poly friends and alumni for refreshments if you are
able!


Other announcements:

1. Join ECOSLO in the greening of SLO by PLANTING TREES: 12/9-1/27
2. Community SOLSTICE CELEBRATION in Santa Margarita: 12/21
3. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION available @ UC Davis: Reviews begin 1/1
4. Production and research BERRY INTERN POSITIONS available: App. 1/10
5. All are invited to CCOF’S “GOING ORGANIC PROJECT” Mtg. in Selma: 1/10
6. WINE TASTING TOUR & fundraiser for Leukemia Society: 1/19
7. Industry-sponsored COMPOST TEA Conference in FLA: 1/21
8. PRE-CONFERENCE on Organic Ag at ECO-FARM Conference: 1/23
9. 2007 AAIE Ecological Pest Management Conference: 2/4-6
10. Canon National Parks Science SCHOLARS COMPETITION 2007: Deadline 5/3
11. 6th  CA SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE seeking presenters: 6/24-27
12. Free SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE directory from the USDA
13. SLO Office of Ed. is seeking CURRICULUM REVIEWERS (Enviro. Initiative)
14. Like DUNGENESS CRAB?  Check out Casa Festiva Website’s December Issue
15. Odd job PRUNING Opportunity in SLO:  NOW
16. Robert Freeman Ford Dairy (Organic Dairying) INTERNSHIP FUND available!
17. Program Manager sought for AG. WATER QUALITY Coalition: Due 12/31

************************************************************************

1. Join ECOSLO in the greening of SLO by PLANTING TREES: 12/9-1/27
ECOSLO is planting trees behind the City Water Treatment Facility on Prado Rd.
Volunteers are welcome to meet in the parking lot of the City Corporation
Yard,
at 25 Prado Rd., every Saturday from the 9th of December until the 27th of
January at 10am (except for the 23rd and 30th of December). The tree planting
parties last from 10am until 2pm! ECOSLO will provide all the tools, but
please
bring your own gloves, water, and snacks. For more information, contact
Patrick
Kirby at (805)544-1777 or patrick at ecoslo.org

2. Community SOLSTICE CELEBRATION in Santa Margarita: 12/21
Coyote Road and the Tread Lightly Farm are sponsoring a Winter Solstice
Gathering and Celebration of Community on Thursday, December 21 between 10AM
and 10PM in Garden Farms (Santa Margarita). There will be family-oriented
activities for all including learning firemaking, gourd painting, cobb
building, art, music and dancing.  Please bring: vegetable to add to soup,
warm
clothes, potluck dish and eating utensils.  There is a suggested donation
of $5
for this event. For directions and to RSVP, please call or email Rob & Karyn
Kimmell at zigge at kcbx.net 438-5745.

3. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR POSITION available @ UC Davis: Reviews begin 1/1
The University of California at Davis is looking to fill the position of
Assistant Professor of Agricultural Sustainability and Society. A Ph.D. degree
in anthropology, geography, planning, political science, rural sociology, or
sociology is necessary to qualify for the position. Preference will be
given to
those whose research is publishable and concentrates upon the relationship
between agricultural sustainability and communities in the U.S. For further
information about this position, please contact the Chair of the Search
Committee, Stephen Brush (sbbrush at ucdavis.edu). For technical or
administrative
questions regarding the application process please email the Search Committee
Coordinator, Jeri L. Sorensen (jlsorensen at ucdavis.edu). To apply, candidates
should begin the application process by registering online at
http://hcd.recruitments.ucdavis.edu. Please include statements of research and
teaching interests, curriculum vitae, publication list, and the names, e-mail
addresses, and telephone numbers of at least four professional references.
Review of the applications will begin January 1, 2007.The position will remain
open until filled.

4. Production and research BERRY INTERN POSITIONS available: App. 1/10
Driscoll’s (www.driscolls.com), the largest year-round berry producer in the
world, is offering two paid internships.  The Production intern will assist in
the operations of a strawberry and or raspberry ranch.  The research assistant
intern will assist in the process of conducting applied research activities in
strawberry and raspberry crops.  Both positions are three month paid
internships in Mexico.  Housing and transportation will be provided.  The
positions are available from March-May 2007.  Applications for these positions
must be filed by the 10th of January.  (Summer internships are also available
– deadline is April 10 to be considered for those.)  To apply, e-mail
resume,
cover letter, and a faculty reference to Wendy.acevedo at berry.net.  Include
your
language skills.  Questions may be directed to Cal Poly AGB Professor McCorkle
in Room 10-225.

5. All are invited to CCOF’S “GOING ORGANIC PROJECT” Mtg. in Selma: 1/10
The upcoming CCOF meeting of their new ‘Going Organic Project’ is a great
opportunity to brush up on or learn about organic farming and certification
issues while meeting new and current organic growers. The event will be held
from 9am-3pm on the 10th of January and is located at the Spike and Rail
Steakhouse (2910 Pea Soup Anderson Blvd. Selma, CA 93662).  A free organic
lunch will be served to all who attend. All interested parties are welcomed.
For more information on the event please visit www.ccof.org/goingorganic.php

6. WINE TASTING TOUR & fundraiser for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: 1/19
Join Mike Sinor, one of the premier Central Coast winemakers and owner of
Sinor-Lavalee Wines, on a guided tour of Sinor-Lavalee, Churchill & Claiborne,
Saucelito Canyon, Ortmann, and Wolff Vineyards. Sinor’s tour will feature
conversations with vineyard/winery owners and winemakers, who will share their
growing practices and wine making methods. The tour will take place on January
19th and begin at 1pm at Claiborne & Churchill (2649 Carpenter Canyon Road,
San
Luis Obispo). Tickets for the event are $100 per person and include all
tasting
fees, bus transportation, special wine purchase discounts, and entry in a wine
and merchandise raffle. This event is a fundraiser for the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society/Team in training. For more information, about the LLS please
visit www.teamintraining.org. For more information about this event, please
contact Steve Moore at sfmoore at earthlink.net.

7. Industry-sponsored COMPOST TEA Conference in FLA: 1/21
The US Composting Council & the Compost Tea Industry Association
(www.composttea.org) will be co-sponsoring a unique workshop: ‘Compost
Tea —
Beyond the Basics’ in Orlando, FL on Sunday, January 21, 2007. This workshop
is intended for those who already have a basic understanding of compost tea
production and applications. A brief ‘compost tea primer’ will be given at
the beginning, but the majority of the session will focus on biological and
chemical attributes of compost tea, analytical methods to evaluate quality,
and
interpretation of analytical data for designing effective application
programs.
Findings from current research investigating the effects of vermicompost
tea on
plant growth and suppression of diseases and pests will also be presented. For
a details and a workshop description, please see:
http://www.compostingcouncil.org/pdf/07_Compost_Tea_WS.pdf.  To register,
visit:
http://www.compostingcouncil.org/pdf/07_Con_Reg_form.pdf

8. PRE-CONFERENCE on Organic Ag at ECO-FARM Conference: 1/23
Join colleagues just prior to the Eco-Farm Conference (www.eco-farm.org) this
year in a dialogue about the future of organic agriculture. This conference
will examine national and federal priorities for organic agriculture. Organic
agriculture in this country has a future beyond a Federal program – help to
map it out and stay on course. Collaborate with organic advocates around the
U.S. to initiate a dialogue to develop a National Organic Action Plan and a
National Summit on Organic Food and Agriculture in 2007/2008. Such a plan is
necessary to realize the fullest potential of organic and to ensure that the
farmers, the public and the progressive organic businesses can help to
strategically shape its future. The workshop will be offered just prior to the
Eco-Farm conference on Tuesday afternoon, January 23 (1:00 – 5:30), and all
day (8:30 – 5:00) Wednesday, January 24 at Asilomar. Please register for
this
through Eco-Farm registration (www.eco-farm.org). The cost for the workshop,
including lunch on Wednesday, is $25. Questions? Contact Liana Hoodes:
Liana at hvc.rr.com or 845-744-2304.

9. 2007 AAIE Ecological Pest Management Conference: 2/4-6
The Association of Applied IPM Ecologists will host another information-packed
conference of pest management at the Embassy Suits Napa Valley this February
6-7. This year’s conference offers a program packed with high caliber
speakers and high priority topics, built around the famous AAIE spirit of
discussion and dialog. General Session Presentations: “New Spray Technology
to Reduce Drift and Dust”, “Precautionary Principles in Practice”,
“Exotic Pests”, “Radiofrequency for Disinfection and Disinfestation”.
Concurrent Session Topics: Grapes Mites and Vine mealybug, Citrus, Landscape
IPM, Tree Fruit and Nuts, Integrated Weed IPM, Soils and IPM, and Structural
IPM. With plenty of informal networking time interspersed throughout the
program sessions, you’ll be able to meet and follow up with IPM pros who can
help you with ideas, products, and expertise. Continuing Education Units have
been applied for from California Department of Pesticide Regulation,
California
Certified Crop Advisors, and California Structural Pest Control Board.
Registration is available now!! To view registration form visit
http://www.aaie.net/documents/EcologicalPestMgmtConfReg2007.pdf

10. Canon National Parks Science SCHOLARS COMPETITION 2007: Deadline 5/3
The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program has announced its
2007competition. The program annually awards doctoral dissertation
scholarships
to support graduate student research in national parks. The program is a
collaboration among Canon (http://www.canon.com/), the American Association
for
the Advancement of Science
( http://www.aaas.org/ ), and the US National Park Service (
http://www.nps.gov/
). The program will be awarding eight $80,000 scholarships to Ph.D. students
throughout the Americas to conduct research critical to conserving the
national
parks of the region. In 2007, the program will award eight scholarships based
on two separate competitions: four Canon National Parks Science Scholars will
be selected from students studying at universities in the United States; and
four Canon National Parks Science Scholars will be selected from students
studying at universities outside the US. Visit the program's Web site at
http://www.nature.nps.gov/canonscholarships/ for complete grant guidelines and
application procedures.

11.  6th  CA SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE seeking presenters: 6/24-27
The University of California at Santa Barbara invites you to its 6th annual
UC,
CSU, CCC Sustainability Conference. This conference unites administrators,
staff, students, and faculty who are making major changes on their campuses to
talk about the successes they have had and challenges they faced in the areas
of: Agriculture & Food Systems, Green Building: LEED NC, EB, and CI, Energy,
Institutionalizing Sustainability, Transportation, Procurement, Waste
Reduction, Water, Student Affairs, and Curriculum and Research. If you are
interested in presenting and have a creative idea for a non-lecture style
presentation format, you are encouraged to apply, please visit:
http://geog.ucsb.edu/sustainability/conference2007/sessions.php.
Submissions are
due no later than Jan.15th. For examples of sessions at last year’s event
please visit http://www.sustainability.ucsb.edu/conference. Registration fees
will be determined in January. For More information please email
turningthetide at geog.ucsb.edu

12. Free SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE directory from the USDA
USDA’s Alternative Farming Systems Information Center at the National
Agricultural Library publishes a free, annual “Educational and Training
Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture” directory.  All those
interested in
viewing the newly-updated directory should visit
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/edtr.html

13. The SLO Office of Ed. is seeking CURRICULUM REVIEWERS (Enviro. Initiative)
The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education is seeking highly-qualified
educators and technical experts to participate in the Education Working Group
(EWG) and the Content Working Group (CWG) for California's Education and the
Environment Initiative (EEI). Members of the EWG will participate in the
review
of education-related aspects of the draft instructional materials being
developed as part of the EEI Curriculum. Members of the CWG will
participate in
the review of the technical accuracy of the draft instructional materials
being
developed as part of the EEI Curriculum. Please go to
http://www.creec.org/stories/storyReader$198 for detailed information and
application materials for the EWG and CWG.For more information on the Model
Curriculum Plan developed over the past two years, see
(http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Education/EEI/documents/ModelPlan.pdf).  Curriculum
development will be occurring for approximately two years, until late 2008 up
until the time it goes before the State Board of Education for curriculum
approval. Currently, grade 9-12 writers are being solicited. Also in the works
is to contract with 20 school districts throughout California to field test
and
pilot test the EEI Curriculum.  Questions regarding this Request for
Qualifications should be directed to eei at seer.org

14. Like DUNGENESS CRAB?  Check out Casa Festiva Website’s December Issue
"Dive into Dungeness" is featured in the December 2006 "e-issue" of Casa
Festiva (along with other local food ideas & links) at:  www.casafestiva.com

15. Odd job PRUNING Opportunity in SLO:  NOW.  Any Fruit Science students or
other tree lovers out there who would like to make a few dollars pruning some
fruit trees (nine trees: apple, apricot, nectarine, pear and persimmon)?  The
trees are on property located at the end of South Higuera, about midway
between
the SLO city limits and Avila Beach.  If interested, please contact Lou
Robinson at cloverridge at hughes.net.

16. Robert Freeman Ford Dairy (Organic Dairying) INTERNSHIP FUND available!
The Robert Freeman Ford Dairy internship fund is designed to underwrite the
transportation, housing, and other per diem expenses of a College of
Agriculture student taking on the responsibility of an internship in Sonoma
County which focuses on the organic aspects of the dairy industry.  The
organic
dairy industry is a rapidly growing sector of the US food industry.  For more
information about the fund, please contact Dairy Science Department Head, Dr.
Mark Shelton at mshelton at calpoly.edu or 756-2161.

17. Program Manager sought for AG. WATER QUALITY Coalition: Due 12/31
The Central Coast Agricultural Water Quality Coalition is currently seeking
applications for a highly motivated Program Manager to assist in the
development and implementation of a new program aimed at demonstrating the
compatibility of agricultural water quality and food safety.  The Central
Coast
Agricultural Water Quality Coalition (Coalition) is a public benefit nonprofit
corporation organized by farmers and ranchers with the purpose of protecting
water quality. Additional information can be found at www.awqa.org. A
successful
candidate will have direct experience working in specialty crop production
agriculture, specifically in the field of water quality protection.
Successful
candidates will possess solid experience in working under grant deliverables,
schedules, and budgets. Three years professional experience, including three
years in the capacity of managing and coordinating agricultural water quality
improvement programs/projects. Two years experience working with grant funds
and multi-partner collaborations. Bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences,
social sciences or engineering including: ecology, biology, agronomy,
planning,
environmental science, civil, agricultural or environmental engineering,
hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental studies, environmental
toxicology. Spanish fluency. Financial compensation will be negotiated,
commensurate with experience ($50,000-$60,000 annually).  Applicants must
submit a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for at least 3
professional references to: Dawn Mathes, Central Coast Agricultural Water
Quality Coalition,7960 B Soquel Drive #409, Aptos, CA 95003.  Applicants are
also strongly encouraged to concurrently submit application materials
electronically to agwaterquality at aol.com. Contact Dawn Mathes for more
information at 831-728-2892.  Due 12/31.  The position is open until filled.

***************************************

Hunter Francis, Program Associate &
Christine Casillas, Outreach Coordinator

Sustainable Agriculture Resource Consortium
c/o Horticulture and Crop Science Department
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, California  93407
(805)756-5086
www.calpoly.edu/~sarc

***************************************

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Santa Barbara Permaculture Network
(805) 962-2571
P.O. Box 92156, Santa Barbara, CA 93190
margie at sbpermaculture.com
www.sbpermaculture.org

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

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