Seeking Common Ground and Patty Love of Barefoot Edible Landscape and Permaculture proudly present

Edible Forest Gardening In A Nutshell: An Introduction

Edible Forest Gardening (EFG) is an effective way to design home scale gardens in our climate that mimic forest ecosystem structure and function, but grow food, fuel, fiber, fodder, fertilizer, "farmaceuticals," and fun while we consciously apply the principles of ecology and permaculture. Join us for a hands-on skill-building experience in edible forest gardening. Learn to transform traditional lawn landscapes into abundant food-producing perennial forest gardens. Participants will learn the skills needed to get started at their own home or expand the abilities of a gardening business. We will get our hands dirty while we install and establish a brand new forest garden.

Have you wanted to:

• learn about Permaculture and/or Edible Forest Gardening?
• learn how to grow more food in less space with less weeding and watering?
• learn how to use organic gardening methods to produce healthier food for your family?
• learn how to build healthy soil?
• learn how to incorporate healthy nuts, fruits, and perennial vegetables into your garden space?

Whether you know a lot or a little about gardening, this class is for you!

What: A four hour intensive workshop open to everyone

Cost: $60.00

Location: Shimmering Light Farm in South Bristol, NY (45 minutes southeast of Rochester)

Date: September 18, 2010 (Limit 20 participants)

Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (followed by an optional potluck lunch)

Facilitator: Patty Love, Barefoot Edible Landscape & Permaculture

Topics covered:

An Introduction to Permaculture and EdibleForest Gardening

Basic Organic Gardening Techniques

The Design Process Using ForestGarden Pattern Language

Installing an EdibleForestGarden

For more information contact:

Patty Love, Owner, Barefoot Edible Landscape and Permaculture

patty@barefootpermaculture.com or phone: 585.506.6505

Deb Marie Denome, Director, Seeking Common Ground, Inc.
info@seekingcommonground.org or phone: 585-394-7610

From: Sonja Hedlund

The Office of Planning released a RFP for programs to hire a consultant. I have pasted in the text as sending an attachment to the list does not work. Here is some of the text. It is due On Friday, 9/3.
PS – there is a group of progressive farmers here, working hard to get the county to focus on ag economic development! Please consider applying…for background call
Cindy Gieger – dairy farmer – 845 – 482 – 5729
Sonja Hedlund – goats= sheep 845 482 4764

CONSULTANTS/FIRMS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SERVICES RELATED TO PRESERVATION, PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMLAND IN SULLIVAN COUNTY

FOR

SULLIVAN COUNTY DIVISION OF PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Prepared & Issued By:

Sullivan County Dept. of Purchasing & Central Services

Sullivan County Government Center

100 North St. – P.O. Box 5012

Monticello NY 12701

(845) 807-0515

Dated: August 27, 2010

RFP#: R-10-27

Intent

The County of Sullivan is seeking firms/consultants interested in providing technical assistance to the Division of Planning and Environmental Management (SC Planning) in areas related to the preservation, promotion and development of agriculture and farmland in Sullivan County. The position requires that the applicant have experience with agricultural related issues within New York State, specifically Sullivan County.

SC Planning is the lead-agency for this project and therefore will have oversight and provide direction to the selected consultant.

Background

Farming in Sullivan County is at a crossroads. There is the undeniable potential for Sullivan County to provide a safe healthy food supply chain to many local and metro markets, and there is the fact that the number of farms in operation have been steadily decreasing. The decline is due to many factors such as the economic climate, taxes, and land values combined with government policies and standard farm practices which have our farmers exhausted, exasperated, and struggling financially. Investing time in diversification, distribution and other ways of reaching the lucrative metro markets and finding local outlets is not easy time-wise for farmers, or even fiscally possible in most cases.

Understanding that the centerpiece of a coordinated effort to spur the economic growth and rebirth of the Agricultural industry in Sullivan County resides within SC Planning, the Division is seeking to engage a consultant to provide assistance in conducting Agricultural Strategic Planning, Programmatic Administration, Business Development, and targeted Community and Economic Development related to agriculture.

Responsibilities

The consultant/firm will be responsible for maintaining, developing and promoting a viable agricultural economy in Sullivan County through Strategic Planning, Marketing/Branding, Project/Program Administration, Small Business Development, Funding/Financing Procurement, and General Land Use and Real Estate Development. Working with the agricultural community, which includes farmers and agri-businesses, as well as potential linkages, such as restaurants and retail businesses, will be a necessary component of this proposal.

Project Scope

The Consultant will be charged, at the direction of the Planning Commissioner, to expand upon prior work associated with the SC agricultural industry to develop a coordinated and comprehensive effort to create market demand for SC agricultural products through business development and strategic marketing professional services.

The Planning Commissioner may request specific services related to special projects as they arise. Consultant activities shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Regular meetings with SC Planning, Agricultural Organizations and the agricultural community;
· Prepare materials related to projects and/or administration of project funding;
· Provide marketing, strategic and financial expertise;
· Assist in the management and underwriting of Agricultural loan related documents;
· Assist in enhancing and promoting the Sullivan County agricultural industry.
· Identifying connections and linkages between the agricultural community and potential businesses (i.e. restaurants, retail, not-for-profits, etc.)

Contract Period

The Contract period shall be from September, 2010 through December 31, 2011. Upon mutual agreement, this contract may be extended, on a yearly basis, for an additional year.

Payment shall be disbursed on a quarterly basis upon receipt of quarterly reporting requirements.

Qualifications

The Consultant sought shall assemble a team with proven track record in:

· Strategic Planning;

· Marketing/Branding;

· Project/Program Administration;

· Small Business Development;

· Funding/Financing Procurement;

· General Land Use and Real Estate Development.

The consultant/firm should have experience working within the Agricultural Community (i.e. feasibility or planning studies) and be able to demonstrate their familiarity with the state of agriculture in the region.

The County reserves the right to reject any and all submittals, and to invite multiple firms to make presentations to SC Planning, the agricultural community, and to the Sullivan County Legislature.

Organization of Proposal

This section outlines the information that must be included in your response. Please respond with your information in the same order as the items in this section. All submissions shall be submitted as simply as possible and provide a straightforward, concise description of the capability of the proposer to satisfy the requirements of the RFP including resumes and machine specifications. Emphasis should be concentrated on accuracy, completeness, and clarity of content. All parts, pages, figures, and tables should be numbered and clearly labeled. Vague terms such as “consultant complies” or “consultant understands” should be avoided.

Cover Letter. Each response to the RFP should be accompanied by a letter that describes the key points of the proposal, summarizing the recommended approach for undertaking the task, and recommended budget and other cost considerations associated with the proposal and which is signed by an officer of the firm authorized to commit the Vendor to the obligations contained in the proposal. The cover letter should also include a phone number, fax number and e-mail address for the contact person.

Company Information. Provide information related to yourself or your company and any company you are proposing to use as sub-contractors. Specifically address the following:

· Work you have done for the agricultural community, specifically in Sullivan County.

· Familiarity with issues facing the agricultural community, specifically in Sullivan County.

Experience. Provide information that clearly demonstrates your organization’s prior experience and background (both business and technical) in engagements similar to this project. This section must include:

· A list of all clients/projects that related to agriculture and farmland preservation, promotion and development in the State of New York, specifically Sullivan County, along with the dates of engagement for each client and a summary of the services provided to the client.
· Names and contact information for at least three (3) references.

Qualifications. Provide information that clearly demonstrates that your organization is qualified and competent to provide the requested services:

· Résumés for the key personnel to be involved in providing services to the County.
· List any licenses, certifications, or education required to perform these services.

Scope of Work & Budget. Provide information that clearly demonstrates your objectives, activities/projects and timelines, as well as a detailed budget request for services. Hourly rates and/or generic fee schedules are not sufficient. The budget should clearly breakout costs for the remainder of 2010 and for the entire 2011 fiscal year. Final costs will be negotiated on a per project basis. Proposals that do not include a detailed budget will not be accepted.

Insurance Requirements. The Consultant shall procure and maintain at its own expense until final completion of the work covered by the contract, insurance for liability for damages imposed by law of the kinds and in the amounts hereinafter provided, issued by insurance companies authorized to do business in the State of New York, covering all operations under the Contract whether performed by the Consultant or by his subcontractors.

The successful Consultant shall furnish to the County all insurance requirements as outlined in the contract.

Submission of Proposals

Parties interested in seeking to be considered for Agricultural Consultant shall submit materials describing their proposal in triplicate, no later than 1:00PM, Friday, September 3, 2010.

Proposals shall be submitted to:

Kathy Jones, Director

Sullivan County Office of Purchasing and Central Services

100 North Street

P.O. Box 5012

Monticello, NY 12701

Tel: 845.807.0515

Proposals received after the deadline will not be accepted. The County of Sullivan reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and select the proposal that best meets the needs of the County.

Hello permies!

We are looking to get some Austrian winter peas from http://www.lakevieworganicgrain.com/ up in Penn Yan. We will be using as a cover crop and to begin building the soil at our new place. It goes for $45 for a 50 pound bag and we only need about 1/4 of it. If you are interested in going in on this order, please email me offline or ring us at (607) 387-7799 after 6.

Joey

From: Marian Brown <mbrown>

Cornell University is sponsoring the Sustainable Earth, Energy, and Environmental Systems (SEEES) speaker series for Fall 2010, featuring all new speakers. The theme for this year is: the interwoven challenge of energy, climate, and the environment in the human and natural world. The series is designed especially for college freshmen and sophomores, but we are extending the invitation to all undergraduates at Cornell and Ithaca College, local high school students, and the greater Ithaca community. No registration is required. The series is co-sponsored by the Cornell Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and the Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future.

The series meets Monday nights, every other week, 7:30-8:45pm in 101 Phillips Hall on the Cornell Campus (TCAT #10, Sage Hall bus stop), and starts on Monday August 30th.

For more information: Louise P. McGarry (lpm3 or 607-342-0628)

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2010 Sustainable Earth, Energy, and Environmental Systems (SEEES)

exploring the interwoven challenge of energy, climate, and the environment
in the human and natural world.

PRIMERS: Energy, Society, Climate, and Life Systems
Aug 30: Carbon Energy and Society
Sep 13: New Energy Opportunities and Challenges
Sep 27: Changing Climates and Life Systems
THE CHALLENGE: Intersection of Energy and Ecosystems
Oct 4: Terrestrial – Marcellus Shale Case Study
Oct 18: Marine – Energy and the Marine Environment
ENGAGING the CHALLENGE: Intersection of Science and Society
Nov 01: Role and Response of Policy and Business
Nov 15: The Nature of Science and Science in the Media
RESPONDING to the CHALLENGE: Student Projects
(SEEES first-year writing seminar students)
Nov 20: (Saturday) Natural History at Noon – Museum of the Earth
TAKING ACTION
Nov 29: Cornell: Energy and the Environment

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FREE Compost With Confidence Workshop

Saturday, August 28, 12 Noon – 1:00 pm
Compost Demonstration Site at Ithaca Community Gardens, at the entrance to the Ithaca Farmers’ Market

Master Composter volunteers from Tompkins County Cornell Cooperative Extension will provide information and give hands-on demonstrations to help you set up and manage a compost system in any setting. This class also will cover compost maturity and uses. How do you know when your compost is ready to use? And if it is ready, what are some of the ways you can use it? Bring your composting questions! Sign-up for this FREE class by emailing Liz Falk at erf59, calling (607) 272-2292, or just drop in on your way to or from the Ithaca Farmers’ Market on Saturday!

NOTE: Class time for the FREE Compost With Confidence Workshops will change to 10:00 – 11:00 am in September 2010. Remaining workshops in this year’s series will be offered on September 25 ("Stealth" Composting (double-bin, indoor system) and October 30 (Preparing Your Compost Bin for Winter)

Share Tompkins Really Really Free Market at the North Star Market Bring what you can, take what you need!

Saturday, August 28, Noon-3pm
North Star Market
The Old Fall Creek Cinema Parking Lot
202 E. Falls St., Ithaca, NY

RSVP on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100499926676632

Share Tompkins’ third Really Really Free Market is part of the new Fall Creek North Star Market! Food, books, electronics, clothes – EVERYTHING in the RRFM area is free. Bring what you can, take what you need. The more we can provide for one another locally, the closer we are to sustainability!

We ask that you take back home any items that you bring that aren’t scooped up. Left-overs will be donated, but you can really help our volunteers by being responsible for your stuff

The North Star Market takes place every Saturday from 10am-4pm outside the Northstar House (the old Fall Creek cinema lot on E. Falls street). Offerings include coffee and tea by The Shop Cafe, produce from Burdock Farm (Alpine, NY), baked goods and bread by Edgewood Bakery, and Re-Cycle Bike Repair by Nis.

Acoustic musicians are also encouraged to come down and play!

You can post haves/wants to the Wall of Facebook event or to the Share Tompkins email list: https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/sharetompkins

Check out the Share Tompkins website:
http://sharetompkins.wordpress.com/

For more info about the North Star Market contact northstarmkt@gmail.com.

Become a Fan of The Shop:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ithaca-NY/The-Shop/50103444617

Please spread the word even if you can’t come!

Share Tompkins helps folks share and trade goods and services in Tompkins County, NY.

I’m totally bummed that this is the same time as our Earthdance benefit barn sale on saturday!!! What a great location – I’d love to be on your assistant list for the future!

On Thu, Aug 26, 2010 at 9:41 AM, Shira Golding <shiragolding> wrote:

Share Tompkins Really Really Free Market at the North Star Market
Bring what you can, take what you need!

Saturday, August 28, Noon-3pm
North Star Market
The Old Fall Creek Cinema Parking Lot
202 E. Falls St., Ithaca, NY


RSVP on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100499926676632

Share Tompkins’ third Really Really Free Market is part of the new Fall Creek North Star Market! Food, books, electronics, clothes – EVERYTHING in the RRFM area is free. Bring what you can, take what you need. The more we can provide for one another locally, the closer we are to sustainability!

We ask that you take back home any items that you bring that aren’t scooped up. Left-overs will be donated, but you can really help our volunteers by being responsible for your stuff

The North Star Market takes place every Saturday from 10am-4pm outside the Northstar House (the old Fall Creek cinema lot on E. Falls street). Offerings include coffee and tea by The Shop Cafe, produce from Burdock Farm (Alpine, NY), baked goods and bread by Edgewood Bakery, and Re-Cycle Bike Repair by Nis.

Acoustic musicians are also encouraged to come down and play!

You can post haves/wants to the Wall of Facebook event or to the Share Tompkins email list:
https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/sharetompkins

Check out the Share Tompkins website:
http://sharetompkins.wordpress.com/

For more info about the North Star Market contact northstarmkt.

Become a Fan of The Shop:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ithaca-NY/The-Shop/50103444617

Please spread the word even if you can’t come!

Share Tompkins helps folks share and trade goods and services in Tompkins County, NY.

Share Tompkins Really Really Free Market at the North Star Market
Bring what you can, take what you need!

Saturday, August 28, Noon-3pm
North Star Market
The Old Fall Creek Cinema Parking Lot
202 E. Falls St., Ithaca, NY


RSVP on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100499926676632

Share Tompkins’ third Really Really Free Market is part of the new Fall Creek North Star Market! Food, books, electronics, clothes – EVERYTHING in the RRFM area is free. Bring what you can, take what you need. The more we can provide for one another locally, the closer we are to sustainability!

We ask that you take back home any items that you bring that aren’t scooped up. Left-overs will be donated, but you can really help our volunteers by being responsible for your stuff

The North Star Market takes place every Saturday from 10am-4pm outside the Northstar House (the old Fall Creek cinema lot on E. Falls street). Offerings include coffee and tea by The Shop Cafe, produce from Burdock Farm (Alpine, NY), baked goods and bread by Edgewood Bakery, and Re-Cycle Bike Repair by Nis.

Acoustic musicians are also encouraged to come down and play!

You can post haves/wants to the Wall of Facebook event or to the Share Tompkins email list:
https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/sharetompkins

Check out the Share Tompkins website:
http://sharetompkins.wordpress.com/

For more info about the North Star Market contact northstarmkt.

Become a Fan of The Shop:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ithaca-NY/The-Shop/50103444617

Please spread the word even if you can’t come!

Share Tompkins helps folks share and trade goods and services in Tompkins County, NY.

> Volunteer Water Monitoring Training Workshop Series
> Our beautiful, clean watersheds of the Cayuta and Catatonk Creeks are up to us to preserve. With increased industrial activity slated for our area (from shale gas extraction), we need to be prepared. Gathering baseline data and monitoring stream health are powerful tools we can use to protect our water resources.
>
> Your help is needed! Do you have a favorite fishing spot or swimming hole? Do you live near a creek or in the watershed? Do you like spending time out doors? Do you want to participate in a community science project and learn more about your local environment?
>
> Please come and get trained by Dr. Stephen Penningroth, director of Community Science Institute on how to create and implement a water-monitoring project.
>
> Tentative workshop topics are:
> 1) August 29th, 3pm to 6pm. Maps, watersheds, and general land use impacts on water quality;
> 2) September 12th, 3pm to 6pm. Monitoring techniques: a) “Red flag” indicator tests for gas well contamination: temperature, conductivity, total hardness, pH and dissolved oxygen; b) Benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI); and c) Observational monitoring.
> 3) TBA. Identification of gas well permits; selection of monitoring locations.
> 4) TBA. A fourth workshop devoted exclusively to BMI could be added if there are volunteers interested in investing the time to learn this powerful biological monitoring technique.
> Workshops will be held at
> the Spencer Municipal Building (behind the library)
> 41 N. Main Street, Spencer, NY 14883
>
> For more information or to RSVP (appreciated but not required)
> Call Candace at 589-6412
>
catatonk_cayuta_watersheds.pdf

Hey folks,

We had a small but dedicated turnout yesterday at our work party. Thanks to all who came and for the work that was done to complete the butterfly garden and berry patch. There is more work to be done, thought, so if anyone would like to help out Thursday or Friday, I am planning on going back until everything is done. If there is a day and time that works for you, contact me and I will schedule my work to coincide with your availability.

Josh Dolan

Hey folks,

Gardens 4 Humanity will be getting together at 4:30 pm TODAY, Tuesday, Aug 24 at Southside Community Center (SSCC) 305 S. Plain St. to begin preparing the gardens there and at the St. James AME Zion Church just down the block for the fall and for the upcoming afterschool programs at SSCC. Extra tools such as wheelbarrels would be helpful if anyone could bring one. Gloves will be provided.

This is an opportunity for those looking to be involved in the community to engage in an ongoing project and to meet some of those who have been instumental in garden activism and advocacy in Ithaca over the last few years. The gardens at SSCC were started through a joint effort between Elan Shapiro of Sustainable Tompkins, CCE and Dan Flerladge of LACS in 2008. Beginning in spring 2009, Gardens 4 Humanity began to play a role at the center through multiple avenues. An initial community work party was held to create new garden beds and replant perennials to beatify SSCC entrance way. G4H has been working with the Southside Afterschool and Summer Camp Programs to provide gardening education, healthy snacks and fun exercise. The 5 sections of gardens serve both programs and feature herbs, veggies, fruits and a native butterfly garden.

Don’t forget about our Community & School Garden Training Series www.ccetompkins.org/garden/trainingseries

AND, make sure you sign up for the Gardens 4 Humanity Google group to stay up to date: http://groups.google.com/group/g4h_volunteers

Thanks and see you there,
Josh Dolan & Liz Falk
G4H/ CCE Community Food Gardening Educator

From: Maura Stephens

Bringing Renewable Energy Home
Saturday. August 28th, 2010 9:00 – 1:00 pm
Branchport Firehouse
For Immediate Release
July 28th, 2010
“Bringing Renewable Energy Home”
A Renewable Energy Workshop for Homeowners, Farms and Small Businesses

Contact: Megan Fenton
315-536-5123

BRANCHPORT – The Town of Jerusalem Open Space and Renewable Energy Committee, in partnership with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County, is pleased to present “Bringing Renewable Energy Home”; a workshop designed to give homeowners, farmers and small business owners practical information regarding renewable energy systems and strategies to save energy. The workshop will be held at the Branchport Firehouse on August 28th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p m., with plenty of refreshments provided.

Topics covered in the workshop will include current energy use assessments, low cost energy conservation strategies, solar thermal, geo thermal, solar electric and wind power. We are excited to welcome Jeff Stevens, Alfred State College, who lectures on electrical theory, national electrical code, and photovoltaic design and installation. Additionally, Stevens has obtained his pre-certification as a photovoltaic installer, continues studies with associated National Electrical Codes and Photovoltaic installations, and is currently helping to build a green home laboratory at Alfred State’s School of Applied Technology campus.

There will also be presentations from several other renewable energy and conservation educators and experts. In addition, a panel of homeowners will discuss their experiences installing and using renewable energy on a daily basis. The homeowner panel will field questions regarding implementing renewable energy. The event is open to the public and costs $10 per person to attend; space is limited so please preregister. Scholarships are available upon request. For more information or to register, please call the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County at 315- 536 -5123. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. CCE does not endorse or recommend any specific product or service. This program is solely intended to educate consumers about their choices.

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From: “Sharon K. Anderson” <ska2>

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County seeks applicants for a transportation community educator with the Way2Go program. Way2Go, now in its second year, works with individuals and organizations across the county to promote access to and use of transportation choices that save money, boost health, protect the environment and support community.

We seek a well-organized, web-savvy, and skilled communicator who can expand and enhance the program website and internet presence, and work with and through employers toward transportation equity and sustainability. Experience as a community educator and with websites, as well as working with diverse audiences. Minimum: Associates degree and two years of work experience, or a High School or equivalent diploma and four years of experience.

To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and application to Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca NY 14850 by 8/27/10 or until suitable candidate is found. Job description & application available: email: css17 . Send application to Theresa Emerick, tee1

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County
615 Willow Avenue
Ithaca, NY 14850-3555
Phone: 607-272-2292
www.ccetompkins.org

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http://flxpermaculture.net
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From: Tom Ruscitti

*Timber Framing Workshop*

*& Barn Raising!!*

*September 12-19*

* *

*Instructor: Sarah Highland*

*Hosted by the PeaceWeavers at*

*Thunder Mountain Retreat Sanctuary, Bath, NY*

This week-long class will *teach all the basic skills needed to construct a simple timber framed building*. By cutting a barn frame, participants will be introduced to the square rule system of layout, mortise-and-tenon joinery, and scarfing together shorter timbers to make longer ones. Evenings will include slide show presentations, discussions of design and other topics. *The session will culminate in a barn raising!*

Instructor Sarah Highland loves to build and design with materials that feel alive, such as timber, clay, straw, and slate, as well as to build community through the creation of natural structures. She has led professional crews building houses and volunteers raising intimate play spaces for kids. As principal of Highland Artisan, Sarah specializes in working with owner-builders and community groups as consultant and build leader, as well as cutting timber frames, designing, and teaching. Sarah has been a presenter at Natural Building Colloquia here at Thunder Mountain and has designed and built several of the structures here.

Hosted by the PeaceWeavers at Thunder Mountain Retreat *Sanctuary in Bath, NY*

* *

*Cost: $1,000 includes all meals and accommodations*

*To register call 607-776-4060 or email pw@peaceweavers.com
*

* *

“Timber framing with Sarah Highland is an exquisite combination of delicate math, focused effort and pure magic. And this is true whether you are a skilled carpenter or have never picked up a tool. As a timber framer Sarah is incredibly competent and skilled, and as a teacher she is inspired, clear in her instructions and endlessly patient. Do your body and soul the same favor I did for mine — sign up!”

Share Tompkins Really Really Free Market at the North Star Market
Bring what you can, take what you need!

August 28, Noon-3pm
North Star Market
The Old Fall Creek Cinema Parking Lot
202 E. Falls St., Ithaca, NY


RSVP on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100499926676632

Share Tompkins’ third Really Really Free Market is part of the new Fall Creek North Star Market! Food, books, electronics, clothes – EVERYTHING in the RRFM area is free. Bring what you can, take what you need. The more we can provide for one another locally, the closer we are to sustainability!

The North Star Market takes place every Saturday from 10am-4pm outside the Northstar House (the old Fall Creek cinema lot on E. Falls street). Offerings include coffee and tea by The Shop Cafe, produce from Burdock Farm (Alpine, NY), baked goods and bread by Edgewood Bakery, and Re-Cycle Bike Repair by Nis.

Acoustic musicians are also encouraged to come down and play!

You can post haves/wants to the Wall of Facebook event or to the Share Tompkins email list:
https://lists.aktivix.org/mailman/listinfo/sharetompkins

Check out the Share Tompkins website:
http://sharetompkins.wordpress.com/

For more info about the North Star Market contact northstarmkt.

Become a Fan of The Shop:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ithaca-NY/The-Shop/50103444617

Please spread the word even if you can’t come!

Share Tompkins helps folks share and trade goods and services in Tompkins County, NY.

Ithaca Freeskool Call for Fall Classes: Deadline Sept. 1

Share what you know. Teach for us.
Classes for adults!
Classes for kids!
All ages. All free.

We are looking for folks who are passionate about their interests and would like to share their knowledge with the community by hosting workshops, skill-shares, discussion groups, or projects. You don’t have to be an expert! Got a collaborative project and want to involve the community? Have a skill that you are willing to share with interested folks? Want to get together with people to discuss books, issues, ideas?
The Ithaca Freeskool seeks teachers for the Fall/Winter session!

Submit classes by September 1st to: ithaca_freeskool or drop them by the Silent City Distro (115 E MLK Street, above Autumn Leaves in the Workers Center).

Send us:
Your name, phone and email (specify public contact info)
Name of your class
Location
Dates/Times
A short description
Any requirements for students (books, equipment, RSVP, etc.)

http://ithacafreeskool.wordpress.com/

Wondering what it’s like to be a part of Ithaca Freeskool? Check out this ten-minute video:
http://vimeo.com/11116231

Citizen Scientists Wanted

The Soil Insect Ecology lab at NYSAES is looking for volunteers to assist in a project monitoring the expansion of invasive crane flies in NYS. The goal is to utilize a network of citizen scientists to help survey, detect and monitor the expansion of these insects in the state. Of particular interest are the following counties: Chautauqua, Niagara, Erie, Monroe, Ontario, Tompkins, Tioga, Cortland, Jefferson, Oswego, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Saratoga, Warren, Fulton, Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam, and Nassau.

Participants would be asked to go out to areas of turf grass, such as home lawns, city parks, or sports fields, and, if present, collect a few specimens to be sent in for identification. No prior knowledge of these insects is required, and we will provide more detailed instructions to participants at a later date. This scouting activity would occur at the most two or three times a week over a two week period in September.

For more information contact Dr. Matthew Petersen mjp266@cornell.edu or Debra Marvin dem35@cornell.edu.

Community & School Garden Training Series
More information: http://ccetompkins.org/garden/trainingseries

The second annual Community & School Garden Training Series is for any Tompkins County resident using gardens as an educational tool when working in a community or school setting or somebody interested in this type of work. Gardens types are not limited to vegetable, ornamental, container, butterfly, flowers or trees. No experience is required. You may take one class or the entire series. Registration not required but preferred – contact Liz Falk erf59@cornell.edu or 272 2292, ext 268.

2010/2011 training SCHEDULE
Training classes are held from 5:30-7pm the 3rd Tuesday of each month. **A car pool will be leaving from the CCE-Tompkins Education Center at 615 Willow Ave. promptly at 5:15. If you are able to drive your car from CCE or need a ride please contact Liz Falk at erf59@cornell.edu or 272 2292, ext 268.

Tuesday, August 17. DeWitt Middle School
Topic: School Garden, Greenhouse and Garden to Cafeteria
Address: 560 Warren Road, Ithaca

The class will be led by Wayne Gottlieb, a 7th grade science teacher who facilitated the creation of the extensive Dewitt Garden over the last winter and spring and sells some of the gardens produce to the school’s cafeteria.

Tuesday, September 21. BJM Elementary
Topic: Perennials, Annuals, Gardening, Food and Fun with Kids Address: 302 West Buffalo, but meet on the Court Street side

The BJM garden has both raised beds and a “sheet mulched” in-the-ground garden (est 2010). To meet the multiple uses of the combined garden/playground site, these garden areas are being developed strategically with perennial edibles, herbs, rain garden plants and annual vegetables. Additionally, these gardens are connecting with the Fruit and Vegetable Snack program and in the classroom garden education so the kids get a full-circle of good food exposure.

Tuesday, October 19. Ithaca College Garden
Topic: Gardening, administration and profits – a small scale CSA. Address: TBA

This garden was established at IC in 2010 and is all volunteer student run. Students will give a tour, discuss how they got started and explain their faculty CSA program.

Tuesday, November 16. Southside Community Center
Topic: Winterizing your Garden and Extending the Season
Address: 305 Plain Street, Ithaca

January – March most likely held inside at CCE-Tompkins Education Center at 615 Willow Avenue due to weather unless host site has an indoor space to offer. Presentations on your projects are welcome. Please contact Liz or Josh with a bio of your project.

April – TBA (submit your project)

Liz

Plants for Dry Sites
Tuesday, August 17, 6:30-8:30 pm
CCE-Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca

A hot, dry, sunny site is just what some plants need to thrive. Dry shade is a little more challenging! This workshop will cover many plants that love heat and sun, and water-saving strategies such as mulch. We will also discuss plants that can withstand dry shade, with a little help. Fee: $5; pre-registration requested. Please call (607) 272-2292 for more information or to register.

Map and details here: http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/05/10/plants-dry-sites

I’m really getting a lot out of this discussion, so thanks to all. I came across this today:

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/05/10/plants-dry-sites

Could be informative.

regards,

Christine Karatnytsky