Beginning June 29, a 72 hour Permaculture Design course will be offered at the Leon County UF/IFAS Extension.  For details, click the link below.  Many of the techniques used in the VegHeadz vegetable demonstration garden are derived from permaculture sources.  What is permaculture?  Click on the link to a recent article published in the Tallahassee Democrat. 

Permaculture Design course information: 
htthttp://blogs.tallahassee.com/community/2016/06/21/what-is-permaculture/

What is Permaculture:
https://www.facebook.com/events/169397130577102/?ti=icl

Upcoming Permaculture Events

Permaculture structure at LuLuLand

There are a number of events coming up for those who want to learn more about permaculture.  They all look very interesting and include hands-on activities as well as opportunities to connect with others.  All are welcome.  Thank you Anna Lee!!

October 1st - Garden Tower Workshop at Bless The Waters - 1311 Tom Still Rd. Tallahassee 32305

   
      This is a great excuse to come visit the developing Bless The Waters Urban Permaculture Site as well as to participate in erecting two Garden Towers.  These towers are a terrific design for growing over 50 plants in a small space and using vermiculture to feed them.  Bring a seedling to install once the tower is up!  

         We'll begin by 11 AM and likely run until 3 PM, weather dependent. Bring seedlings, snacks to share, and an open mind !

  

October 8 - Brains Brawn & Beauty - Women in Permaculture Workshop at LuLuLand - 4560 Charires Cross Rd Tallahassee 32317. 

        This is a day long workshop focused on women's particular attributes and perspectives on healing ourselves & our planet through permaculture design.  Areas of discussion and demonstration will include:

        -  Breaking the Grass Ceiling
        -  Remembering women's contributions through history
        -  Communing with Nature
        -  Loving Self, Loving our Planet
        -  Beauty and Function in Permaculture Design
        -  Empowering women to design& build structures we need
        -  Using tools well - with special guest Bill Oterson (and perhaps another guest) 
        -  Working with your body's needs in mind
        -  Hands on building project (weather dependent)
        -  Building our social network
        -  Moving forward

Women of all ages welcome and needed.   

We'll gather at 9 AM, begin the workshop at 10 AM and go into the evening.  Sun sets at 7 or so, and a fire can happen then if there is a desire stay longer to enjoy this for a while (weather dependent). .Bring chairs or blankets, food to share in potluck, Work gloves and clothing.  Donation of $20 suggested or trade in work time.

BIG EVENT COMING!!!  

North Florida Bio-Regional Permaculture Gathering  November 3, 4 & 5 at LuLuLand

All ages welcome!  We'll work wiuth parents to set up a special play and learn space for children.

Just interested in Permaculture and want to know more?  Come with an eager and open mind to learn and participate!

Think you are well versed in permaculture and still want to know more?  Come share your experience with others, learn more, and build our community!

This will be a camping out event at beautiful LuLuLand.  Of course, you don't have to camp here, but you would miss out on some of the adventure and fun!  Water and tea will be available, but food is bring your own & share as a potluck as you choose.  Having someone bring prepared food is a possibility if there are enough people who want that and are willing to pay in advance...you'll have to let us know if this is your preference.

There will be an entry fee, but teams will be needed to make this event happen and work time can be scholarship

ed in lieu of entry fee.  Sign up ahead of time to be assigned to a team as more information details are released.  Team members will be encouraged to come on Thursday November 2nd to set up your personal camp and to get instructions and team building play time ahead of the event opening on the 3rd.

This is a fun and fullfilling permaculture opportunity for anyone seeking information about permaculture, how-to coverage of a multitude of subjects, hands on experience, interactive dialogue, inspiration, connection, relaxation, music  & FUN! 

 

Does Humanity Have a Future?

TALLAHASSEE PRESENTATION BY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR PAUL HANLEY
Monday, May 2, 2016 – 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM

Where: Leon County Extension Office, 615 Paul Russell Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Author Paul Hanley is dropping into Tallahassee next week. In his new book ELEVEN, this 26-year veteran environmental columnist with the Saskatoon StarPhoenix goes a long way toward demonstrating that virtually “everything that needs to be done to make the world just and sustainable is being done somewhere, successfully, already.”

Paul will be giving a talk and answering questions at Leon Extension next Monday, May 2^nd, 6:30-8:15 pm. The talk is free and open to the public without prior registration.

Hanley is a recipient of the Canadian Environment Award (2006) and the Meewasin Conservation Award (2014). He is editor and co-author of Earthcare: Ecological Agriculture in Saskatchewan (Earthcare 1980) and The Spirit of Agriculture (George Ronald 2005).

ELEVEN received the University of Saskatchewan President’s Award for Non-fiction (2015) and the ABS North America Award for Distinguished Scholarship (2015).

Anyone interested in the future of the earth and humanity will find it enlightening and inspiring to hear Paul's review of existing proof-of-concept "solutions" in various places around the world. These include local farmer-initiated projects to restore abused and degraded lands to productive ago-ecosystems using techniques of “restoration agriculture,” including conservation practices that get water back into arid landscapes that have been driven into desertification.

Paul also addresses resource depletion, caused by unsustainable increases in waste/pollution, population growth, and of course climate change. He discusses “proof-of-concept” examples of rethinking our prevailing socio-economic systems to enable humanity to embrace restorative solutions that already exist.

Paul is the father of FSU Assistant Professor of History Will Hanley. The talk is being sponsored by the Indianhead Acres Neighborhood EcoTeam, and hosted by Leon Extension.

http://iefworld.org/node/708

Aquaponics Workshop, January 8, 2016, Leon County Extensiuon Office

An Extension Sea Grant Agent, Dr. Laura Tiu, will be giving an Aquaponics in the Panhandle workshop on Friday, January 8th, 2016, from 1 - 5 pm at the Leon County Extension office.

Please help spread the word to anyone you think may be interested!
You can pre-register at this Eventbrite link: http://aquaponics-leon-extension.eventbrite.com

Flyer with more details

Register now for two must-do Agri-Workshops!!

Workshops for Organic Farmers and Gardeners on how

we CAN restore our waters, our soil, and our health.

January 17-18, 2015 – Two day course for $85 (lunch included)

Agroecology and Food Sovereignty
with Dr. Miguel Altieri

• Design for bio-diverse, productive and resilient farms. 
• Soil enhancing techniques: Bokashi, organic soil management, composting, compost teas, green manures, cover crops, etc. 
• Pest management (biological pest control, crop diversification, rotations, etc.) and conversion strategies (how to get there from monocultures).
• Assess and strengthen sustainability of farms, gardens and local food sovereignty
• Hands-on learning as well as presentations and discussions

About Dr. Aliteri:  Professor of Agroecology at UC Berkeley since 1981 in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management. Education at the University of Chile, a Ph.D.  Entomology from the University of Florida.   Author of 230+ publications, and numerous books on The Science of Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity, Pest Management ,, and the Search for a Truly Sustainable Agriculture.

                   Register at  famu-agroecology-altieri-2015.eventbrite.com

                                                                                                         

January 26-27, 2015 - $80 (lunch included)

Healthy Farms, Healthy Lives
with Dr. Don Huber & Jim Gerristen

Dr. Don Huber, Purdue/Emeritus Professor  - topics to include:

• impact of present agricultural systems on soil, plants, insects, and human health. 
• managing soil health, controlling plant diseases, micronutrients, GMOs and glyphosate - best management practices. 

Jim Gerristen, organic farmer and visionary - topics to include:

• organic farm strategies, certified organic seed operation, seed purity issues
• building and maintaining healthy soil and organic matter, crop rotations 
• the role of insects, enhancing biological systems
• harvesting for market, post-harvest handling issues, and tips on marketing for profit
• Hands-on demonstration

Register at  foginfo.org/2015-sustainable-development-session

All events will be held at:  FAMU Viticulture Center, 6506 Mahan Drive Tallahassee, Florida  32317. 

2015 Sustainable Development Sessions for Farmers and Gardeners

Follow links below for additional details regarding the program and speakers for the upcoming Sessions scheduled for January 17-18 and January 26-17, 2014 at the FAMU Viticulture Center on Mahan Drive and several local Organic Farms.  Please share the flyer with your contacts.  This is a unique opportunity for all who are involved in the local food movement.    Agroecology Sessions Flyer

For the first time in Tallahassee, two upcoming multi-day sessions will include workshops and farm tours with two of our country's most knowledgeable leaders in the fields of Agroecology principles and implementation, sustainable organic agriculture, and sustainable food systems---sometimes called simply Earth and Agriculture Restoration.  Enhance your knowledge and claim your place in the local sustainable food movement through these crucial and timely capacity building sessions. You will learn how conventional GMO agricultural strategies impact our local non-GMO agricultural farms and environment.  Learn agroecological principles and applications to design bio-diverse, resilient farms. Discover soil enhancement and soil remediation techniques.   Learn critical methods to assess and strengthen sustainability of farms/gardens and local food sovereignty.  We can restore our waters, our soil, and our health.  Learn more about how at these 2015 Sustainable Development Sessions.

Register at Eventbrite.  Early registration for both events discounted at $140. 
 Early registration ends January 10. 2015. 

January 17-18, 2015 - $80 early registration through Jan. 10; $100 after Jan. 10 or at the door

Agroecology and Food Sovereignty/Dr. Miguel Altieri

Dr. Altieri has been iProfessor of Agroecology at UC Berkeley since 1981 in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management.  He received his education at the University of Chile, and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Florida.   He is author of more than 230 publications, and numerous books including Agroecology:  The Science of Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity, Pest Management in Agroecosystems, and Agroecology and the Search for a Truly Sustainable Agriculture. 

January 26-27, 2015 - $80 early registration through Jan. 10; $100 after Jan. 10 or at the door

Agroecology—Healthy Farms, Healthy Lives/Dr. Don Huber and Jim Gerritsen

Dr. Huber will examine the impact of GMOs and Glyphosate on soil, plant, animal and human health; Best Management Practices.  Dr. Huber is Emeritus Professor at Purdue University in Botany and Plant Pathology and an internationally recognized plant pathologist  whose research has focused on the epidemiology and control of soil-borne plant pathogens with emphasis on microbial ecology, cultural and biological controls, and physiology of host parasite relationships.  Dr. Huber has issued stern warnings about shockingly devastating effects of genetically engineered food crops.

Agrarian Elder and Organic Farmer Jim Gerritsen  co-founded and now serves as President of the national farmer-run membership trade organization, Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA). OSGATA is headquartered in Washington, Maine and acted as lead plaintiff in the landmark organic community Federal lawsuit, OSGATA et al v. Monsanto. OSGATA's mission is to develop, promote and protect the organic seed trade and its farmers.  Gerritsen will talk about organic farm strategies, his certified organic seed operation, seed purity issues; building and maintaining healthy soil and organic matter, crop rotations, the role of insects, enhancing biological systems, harvesting for market, post harvest handling issues, and tips on marketing for profit; and critical issues for every organic farm.  Hands-on demonstration.  

Both events will be held at:  FAMU Viticulture Center, 6506 Mahan Drive,  Tallahassee, Florida  32317.   Food trucks available on site or bring your own lunch.  For more information:  famu.register@gmail.com  Jennifer Taylor 850-879-6895 or Sue Hansen 850-264-5929

Provided in collaboration with FAMU State Wide Small Farm Programs,

PGG, Local Small Farmers, and Community Collaborators.

Organic Farming Workshop, December 14, 2014 at Full Earth Farm in Quincy

Florida Organic Growers (FOG) is partnering with Full Earth Farm in Quincy to offer an Organic Farming Workshop in Gadsen County, Florida. The workshop will take place on Sunday,December 14th from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. The work­shop will provide practical information and advice about sustainable/organic farming such as soil and weed management, cover crops and farm planning. The workshop is designed for beginning and new farmers, as well as those inter­ested in transitioning to organic methods. Full Earth owners and operators Katie Harris and Aaron Suko will lead a farm tours, and discuss production and weed and pest management strategies. There will also be a special presentation on season extension, Herman Holley of Turkey Hill Farm will discuss the importance and methods for sustainable soil fertility and management, and Cheryl Macko­wiak with the University of Florida North Florida Research and Education Center will present on her research on perennial cover crops and sod rotation. Admission is $10 and includes lunch, scholarships are also available. The workshop is open to the public and will be held at the Full Earth Farm located right outside Quincy, Florida. Please contact Travis Mitch­ell with Florida Organic Growers at travis@foginfo.org or at 352-377- 6355 for more information. To register go to http://www.foginfo.org/ organic-farming-workshop-registration-form/