Archive for March, 2011
Partner wanted for new farm, East Meredith, NY
From: Carl Arnold <carlarnold>
Partner wanted for new farm
We’re looking for a farmer / farm couple with expertise in vegetables, berries, fruit, mushrooms, medicinal herbs and / or livestock to help re-create a farm, preferably using permaculture principles, on this 150-year-old former dairy farm. It’s 200 acres, about 50 acres pasture / meadow, most of the rest forest, in East Meredith, NY (Delaware County, near Delhi / Oneonta).
There’s plenty of water, sun and worms. There’s a house and garage but the barn is no more. The land is organic (unofficially). Would like to develop a relationship beginning with rent or lease, leading to some kind of cooperative arrangement.
This is a unique opportunity for the right people to establish an operation from scratch. To discuss possibilities, please call Carl Arnold at 718 788 5944 or 607 278 5820, or e-mail resume and letter to carlarnold.
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http://flxpermaculture.net
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Press Release – NOFA/Mass Sues Biotech Giant Monsanto
From: “Mindy Harris”
NOFA/Massachusetts
411 Sheldon Road
Barre, MA 01005
(978) 355-2853
www.nofamass.org
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jack Kittredge, NOFA/Mass Policy Director (978) 355-2853 or jack@nofamass.org
NOFA/Mass Sues Biotech Giant Monsanto
Suit Seeks Protection of Plaintiffs in Case of GMO Seed Contamination
NEW YORK – March 29, 2011 – On behalf of the Northeast Organic Farming Association/Massachusetts Chapter, Inc. (NOFA/Mass) and others, the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) filed suit today against Monsanto Company to challenge the chemical giant’s patents on genetically modified seed. The case, Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association, et al. v. Monsanto, was filed in federal district court in Manhattan and assigned to Judge Naomi Buchwald. Plaintiffs in the suit represent a broad array of family farmers, small businesses and organizations from within the organic and non-GMO agriculture community who are increasingly threatened by genetically modified seed contamination despite using their best efforts to avoid it.
“This case asks whether Monsanto has the right to sue organic and other farmers for patent infringement if Monsanto’s genetically modified seed should land on their property,” said Dan Ravicher, lead attorney in the case and PUBPAT’s Executive Director and Lecturer of Law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York. “It seems quite perverse that a farmer contaminated by GM seed could be accused of patent infringement, but Monsanto has made such accusations before and is notorious for having sued hundreds of farmers for patent infringement, so we had to act to protect the interests of our clients.”
Once released into the environment, genetically modified seed contaminates and destroys organic seed for the same crop. Soon after Monsanto introduced genetically modified seed for canola, for example, organic canola became virtually extinct as a result of contamination. Organic corn, soybeans, cotton, sugar beets and alfalfa now face the same fate, as Monsanto has released genetically modified seed for each of those crops, too. Monsanto is developing genetically modified seed for many other crops, thus putting the future of all food, and indeed all agriculture, at stake.
In the case, plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that if they are ever contaminated by Monsanto’s genetically modified seed; they need not fear also being accused of patent infringement. One basis for such a ruling would be that Monsanto’s patents on genetically modified seed are invalid because they don’t meet the “usefulness” requirement of patent law, according to Jack Kittredge, NOFA/Mass Policy Director.
This lawsuit filing comes on the heels of a recent controversial USDA decision to deregulate genetically modified alfalfa, the fourth largest crop grown in the US and a major source of feed to the nation’s meat producers. Arguments against genetically modified food crops include concerns about lack of long-term studies of its effects on human health, concerns for biodiversity within our crop varieties, and contamination of crops grown by organic and other non-GMO farmers.
The Northeast Organic Farming Association, NOFA/Mass http://www.nofamass.org/, is a non-profit membership association dedicated to educating the public about organic methods. The Public Patent Foundation, PUBPAT http://www.pubpat.org/, is a not-for-profit legal services organization affiliated with the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. PUBPAT represents the public interest against undeserved patents and unsound patent policy.
CONTACT:
PUBLIC PATENT FOUNDATION, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (212)545-5337
FULL TEXT OF THE SUIT:
http://www.pubpat.org/assets/files/seed/OSGATA-v-Monsanto-Complaint.pdf>
Jack Kittredge, Policy Director, NOFA/Mass (978)355-2853 or jack@nofamass.org
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The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute
offers its ninth permaculture design
certificate course Jully 22 – Aug 7, 2011
http://www.fingerlakespermaculture.org
###
Frolic Farm seeks volunteers, collaborators, and partners
From: Harmony Hazard
Reply to: frolicfarm@gmail.com
Frolic Farm is a new community farm and center for education, healing and wellness, multimedia arts, and environmental and social change. We are located in Callicoon, New York, about 3 hours from the city.
This is our first year and we are planning to put our fingers in many different jars. We will be growing a diversity of annual and perennial vegetables and medicinal herbs, possibly for market, possibly for a small CSA. We are inspired by free school models and will be offering popular education internships and classes. We will be doing local activist work against hydraulic fracturing and jails and hope to do a listening project to hear and document local stories. We will also be playing around with many permaculture tools, including building with cob, growing mushrooms, and using greywater. We will be making many things (bread, tinctures, pickles), learning things (screenprinting, greenhouse-building, how to throw dance parties in fields), and enjoying living in close community.
If you are looking for an established farm, this is not the place. But if you are looking for an immersion in collective living and organizing, where you have a chance for real participation and voice, then we would love to work with you. We believe we can empower ourselves and each other to learn and figure things out together.
Our priority is for those who can stay at least a month and perhaps the whole season, if it fits, and also for those with some skills, but we are open to all forms of participation. We are looking for people to come between mid April and
October. We are still figuring out housing, and will ask for some rent/food money, but are open to working things out. There is some space indoors and ample space for tents.
Get in touch:
frolicfarm@gmail.com
–.
The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute
offers its ninth permaculture design
certificate course: July 22-Aug 7, 2011
http://www.fingerlakespermaculture.org
–.
Edible Mushrooms Video from Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute
Steve Gabriel narrates a short video about mushrooms, their link to healthy soils and forests, and their potential for both home and commercial production.
See the video at http://FingerLakesPermaculture.org
Steve will be the lead teacher for the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute’s workshop this April and May in NY, PA, MA and RI. The workshops will teach how to inoculate shiitake, oyster, and stropharia mushrooms, including discussions of best management practices.
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Thursday: Community Book Swap Co-sponsored by Share Tompkins and MLK Community Build
correction – the event is THURSDAY!
Share Tompkins and the MLK Community Build are co-sponsoring a Community Book Swap!
Thursday, March 24, 6-8pm
The Kops/Klock/Muller Household
322 South Geneva St., Ithaca, NY
-Drop off books in readable condition or better, and swap them for books that are new to you.
-Sign up for a spot to recite your favorite poem or read an excerpt from a special book during Literary Open Mic time.
To make swapping super easy, we are trying out the process of swapping like for like:
- Give a paperback, get a paperback
- Give a children’s book, get a children’s book, etc.
Also available will be FREE copies of the special edition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” printed specifically for the people of Ithaca and Tompkins County through the vision and efforts of the MLK Community Build.
Children’s book donations will be accepted for distribution to the Family Reading Partnership’s Bright Red Book Shelf program, which recirculates gently used children’s books back into the community where they are made available free for families to own.
Usually we ask that unwanted items be taken back, but in this case, all leftover books will be donated to the Family Reading Partnership and Friends of the Library.
SO BRING YOUR UNWANTED BOOKS AND READ SOMETHING NEW!
RSVP on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140631359335346
Share Tompkins:
http://sharetompkins.wordpress.com
MLK Community Build:
https://sites.google.com/site/mlkcommunitybuild2
See you there!
Tuesday: Community Book Swap Co-sponsored by Share Tompkins and MLK Community Build
Share Tompkins and the MLK Community Build are co-sponsoring a Community Book Swap!
Thursday, March 24, 6-8pm
The Kops/Klock/Muller Household
322 South Geneva St., Ithaca, NY
-Drop off books in readable condition or better, and swap them for books that are new to you.
-Sign up for a spot to recite your favorite poem or read an excerpt from a special book during Literary Open Mic time.
To make swapping super easy, we are trying out the process of swapping like for like:
- Give a paperback, get a paperback
- Give a children’s book, get a children’s book, etc.
Also available will be FREE copies of the special edition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” printed specifically for the people of Ithaca and Tompkins County through the vision and efforts of the MLK Community Build.
Children’s book donations will be accepted for distribution to the Family Reading Partnership’s Bright Red Book Shelf program, which recirculates gently used children’s books back into the community where they are made available free for families to own.
Usually we ask that unwanted items be taken back, but in this case, all leftover books will be donated to the Family Reading Partnership and Friends of the Library.
SO BRING YOUR UNWANTED BOOKS AND READ SOMETHING NEW!
RSVP on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140631359335346
Share Tompkins:
http://sharetompkins.wordpress.com
MLK Community Build:
https://sites.google.com/site/mlkcommunitybuild2
See you there!
Maple Weekend continues next Saturday and Sunday
Sugarshack, open house, boiling party, pancakes and chili, LIVE MUSIC and more! NYS Maple Producers all over the state open there sugar houses to the public during the last two weekends of March to host syrup tastings and tours. Sapsquatch invites you to visit! Come during the day for tours at 1pm and 4pm Saturday or Sunday or come in the evening for festivities. Saturday night is the culminating boiling party of the season, so if you come out once this year, this is it! You can purchase syrup or pick up pre-ordered and work trade shares. NOTE: please park in the second parking area to the west of the house and exit on that side.
Sapsquatch is located 7 miles west downtown Ithaca 1/2 mile past the linking light in Enfield on Rt. 79. Turn in the first drive on the left past the big red barn.
Laying the Groundwork: Advanced PDC at Brooks Bend Farm
Please help us spread the word. Send to folks that might be interested. Thanks.
Dave Jacke of Dynamics Ecological Design and
Jono Neiger of Regenerative Design Group present:
Laying Groundwork: An Advanced Permaculture Design Course
At Brook’s Bend Farm, A Future Permaculture Research and Education Center
One 3-day weekend, two 2-day weekends, and one intensive 5-day design charrette:
May 13-15, June 3-5, June 17-19, July 13-17, 2011
Lay the groundwork for your deepening practice of permaculture design and for the establishment of a permaculture training and demonstration center at Brook’s Bend Farm. This Advanced Permaculture Design Course (APDC) offers you direct experience designing permaculture systems that will build your design skills, your confidence and your portfolio, and spur you to deepen your self-study of the field. At the same time, you will help plan the transformationof Brook’s Bend Farm into a thriving multi-dimensional permaculture and nature awareness training and demonstration facility.
Course Format:
Course staff and participants will together form a large-scale paraprofessional design team “hired” by Brook’s Bend Farm to resolve key design challenges and create a Schematic Master Plan. This plan involves integrating farming, livestock, forest garden, coppice, and building systems for the farm’s 90 acres of woods, streams, pastures, and farm buildings. We’ll dive into previous site assessment and design work by students of the Conway School of Landscape Design (CSLD). Each
participant will then focus on one of several key “design streams” relating to the whole design, such as: water supply and waste water treatment systems; food production, processing, storage, and distribution systems, livestock grazing and foraging, and buildings and energy systems. Each “stream” will take on design problems in a mentored group-learning environment. As a collective, we will synthesize these streams into a unified Master Plan and present
to a larger public audience by course end.
In this APDC, you will learn through design exercises, participatory classes, observation sessions, and self-study. The pre-course homework and the initial 3-day weekend will build knowledge of ourselves, each other, the design process, and of the project goals and site. Strengthen your basic permaculture knowledge and fill in gaps during the two 2-day weekends in June, while you engage in detailed site analysis and assessment. During the final 5-day intensive design charrette, you and your team will synthesize everything you have learned into design schemes and details to present to the clients and the public at the course’s end.
Please note that much of your learning of the details of permaculture systems in this course will take place on your own between classes. Class time will focus on giving you design experience, fostering effective and efficient design thinking and practice, and supporting your design process. The design process will be your main teacher; it will tell you what you need to learn. You will therefore have significant homework and research to do between all class sessions—make sure you account for this in your summer plans! Also, please note that the first weekend begins at 8:30 AM on Friday, May 13, and the 5-day design charrette also begins at 8:30 AM on July 13. The two June weekends begin after dinner on Fridays.
Instructors:
Primary instructors Dave Jacke and Jono Neiger co-developed and co-taught “design-centered” permaculture courses together over many years. Dave is primary author of the award-winning book Edible Forest Gardens, and teaches design, permaculture, and forest gardening across the USA and Canada. He has run his own design firm, Dynamics Ecological Design, since 1984, and is now working on his second book, Coppice Agroforestry, with Mark Krawczyk (www.edibleforestgardens.com). Jono cofounded the Regenerative Design Group, a Greenfield, MA design firm(www.regenerativedesigngroup.com), is on the faculty at the Conway School of Landscape Design in Conway, MA (www.csld.edu), and is on the board of the Permaculture Institute of the Northeast. Dave and Jono both graduated from CSLD, Dave in 1984, and Jono in 2003. Apprentice teachers, as well as a coterie of guest instructors and design reviewers, will also join the course’s faculty.
Course Cost:
Tuition and food: sliding scale $1,100-1,500. Scholarships will be available; inquire for more information. Tuition payments above the bottom of the sliding scale will be used for scholarships, so please be generous if you can.
Meals: For the first day of each weekend we ask you to bring your own lunch and a potluck dish for the first dinner. All other meals will be provided as part of the tuition.
Accommodations: Camping included in course fee. Indoor accommodations at Brook’s Bend (shared bedroom, shared bathroom, limited availability): $15/night.
Prerequisites and Registration:
• All course participants must have completed a certified Permaculture Design Course, and must furnish a copy of their course certificate with their deposit to hold their place in the APDC.
• A $300 deposit is required to hold your place in the APDC. The full balance is due by May 1, 2011. Make checks out to Dynamics Ecological Design and mail to the address below. Credit card/Paypal payments will incur a 5% electronic payment fee, and may be made at www.edibleforestgardens.com/events at the bottom of the right-hand column.
For more information:
Contact Suzanne Webber, Brook’s Bend Farm
119 Old Sunderland Road, Montague, MA 01351
413-367-2281 • suzanne
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UN Report: Agroecology Can Double Food Production in 10 Years
Mike and Steve, I have put together a design over the past couple of years. My thinking has become much more focused into a concrete proposal that I think is sound and needed to address what has now clearly emerged. I’ve been at the Rodale Institute for the past year but am free now and looking for something to do. If you wish send me an address and I’ll mail a copy to you and you can see what you think. Thanks, Eric Smith
On Tue, Mar 8, 2011 at 3:33 PM, Michael Burns <michael> wrote:
From: "Elizabeth Henderson" <elizabethhenderson13>
*NEWS RELEASE*
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*8 March 2011 *
*Agroecology Can Double Food Production in 10 Years, says new UN report*
GENEVA, 8 March 2011 – Small-scale farmers can double food production within
10 years in critical regions by using ecological methods, a new UN report*
shows. Based on an extensive review of the recent scientific literature, the
study calls for a fundamental shift towards agroecology as a way to boost
food production and improve the situation of the poorest.“To feed 9 billion people in 2050, we urgently need to adopt the most
efficient farming techniques available,” says Olivier De Schutter, UN
Special Rapporteur on the right to food and author of the report. “Today’s
scientific evidence demonstrates that agroecological methods outperform the
use of chemical fertilizers in boosting food production where the hungry
live — especially in unfavorable environments.”Agroecology applies ecological science to the design of agricultural systems
that can help put an end to food crises and address climate-change and
poverty challenges. It enhances soils productivity and protects the crops
against pests by relying on the natural environment such as beneficial
trees, plants, animals and insects.“To date, agroecological projects have shown an average crop yield increase
of 80% in 57 developing countries, with an average increase of 116% for all
African projects,” De Schutter says. “Recent projects conducted in 20
African countries demonstrated a doubling of crop yields over a period of
3-10 years.”“Conventional farming relies on expensive inputs, fuels climate change and
is not resilient to climatic shocks. It simply is not the best choice
anymore today,” De Schutter stresses. “A large segment of the scientific
community now acknowledges the positive impacts of agroecology on food
production, poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation — and this
this is what is needed in a world of limited resources. Malawi, a country
that launched a massive chemical fertilizer subsidy program a few years ago,
is now implementing agroecology, benefiting more than 1.3 million of the
poorest people, with maize yields increasing from 1 ton/ha to 2-3 tons/ha.”The report also points out that projects in Indonesia, Vietnam and
Bangladesh recorded up to 92 % reduction in insecticide use for rice,
leading to important savings for poor farmers. “Knowledge came to replace
pesticides and fertilizers. This was a winning bet, and comparable results
abound in other African, Asian and Latin American countries,” the
independent expert notes.“The approach is also gaining ground in developed countries such as United
States, Germany or France,” he said. “However, despite its impressive
potential in realizing the right to food for all, agroecology is still
insufficiently backed by ambitious public policies and consequently hardly
goes beyond the experimental stage.”The report identifies a dozen of measures that States should implement to
scale up agroecological practices.“Agroecology is a knowledge-intensive approach. It requires public policies
supporting agricultural research and participative extension services,” De
Schutter says. “States and donors have a key role to play here. Private
companies will not invest time and money in practices that cannot be
rewarded by patents and which don’t open markets for chemical products or
improved seeds.”The Special Rapporteur on the right to food also urges States to support
small-scale farmer’s organizations, which demonstrated a great ability to
disseminate the best agroecological practices among their members.
“Strengthening social organization proves to be as impactful as distributing
fertilizers. Small-scale farmers and scientists can create innovative
practices when they partner”, De Schutter explains.“We won’t solve hunger and stop climate change with industrial farming on
large plantations. The solution lies in supporting small-scale farmers’
knowledge and experimentation, and in raising incomes of smallholders so as
to contribute to rural development.”“If key stakeholders support the measures identified in the report, we can
see a doubling of food production within 5 to 10 years in some regions where
the hungry live,” De Schutter says. “Whether or not we will succeed this
transition will depend on our ability to learn faster from recent
innovations. We need to go fast if we want to avoid repeated food and
climate disasters in the 21st century.”*(*)* *The report “Agro-ecology and the right to food” was presented today
before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. This document is available in
English, French, Spanish, Chinese and Russian at: www.srfood.org and
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/food/annual.htm**END*
Olivier De Schutter was appointed the Special Rapporteur on the right to
food in May 2008 by the United Nations Human Rights Council. He is
independent from any government or organization.For more information on the mandate and work of the Special Rapporteur,
visit: www.srfood.org or http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/food/index.htm*Press contacts:*
Olivier De Schutter: Tel. +32.488 48 20 04 / E-mail:
olivier.deschutter
Ulrik Halsteen (OHCHR): Tel: uhalsteen–
Frederic Janssens
Communication Assistant
UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food
College Thomas More, Place Montesquieu 2 (Bte 15)
B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Tel : + 0032 (0)493 24 88 38
Website : www.srfood.org–
The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute
offers workshops, apprenticeships, and
permaculture design certificate classes.
http://www.fingerlakespermaculture.org
–
Mushroom Workshop (4/17) in Rhode Island (& NY, MA, PA)
The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute is pleased to announce an additional Mushroom Inoculation Workshop on
Sunday, April 17th
in Cumberland, RI
at the Providence Zen Center.
This is in addition to workshops scheduled for:
April 23rd in Montague, MA (Western Mass)
May 14th in Harleysville, PA (near Philadelphia)
May 21st and 22nd in the Finger Lakes region of NY (near Ithaca and Watkins Glen)
Our workshops introduce participants to the world of mushrooms, their link to healthy soils and forests, and their growing potential on both a home and commercial scale.
We will inoculate shiitake, oyster, and stropharia mushrooms and discuss how to successfully raise multiple harvests on a home and small commercial scale.
Workshop participants receive complete instruction from experienced growers and take home an inoculated log, coffee ground substrate, and instructional booklet with further resources.
Visit http://FingerLakesPermaculture.org for information and registration.
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March 24: Community Book Swap Co-sponsored by Share Tompkins and MLK Community Build
Share Tompkins and the MLK Community Build are co-sponsoring a Community Book Swap!
Thursday, March 24, 6-8pm
The Kops/Klock/Muller Household
322 South Geneva St., Ithaca, NY
-Drop off books in readable condition or better, and swap them for books that are new to you.
-Sign up for a spot to recite your favorite poem or read an excerpt from a special book during Literary Open Mic time.
To make swapping super easy, we are trying out the process of swapping like for like:
- Give a paperback, get a paperback
- Give a children’s book, get a children’s book, etc.
Also available will be FREE copies of the special edition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” printed specifically for the people of Ithaca and Tompkins County through the vision and efforts of the MLK Community Build.
Children’s book donations will be accepted for distribution to the Family Reading Partnership’s Bright Red Book Shelf program, which recirculates gently used children’s books back into the community where they are made available free for families to own.
Usually we ask that unwanted items be taken back, but in this case, all leftover books will be donated to the Family Reading Partnership and Friends of the Library.
SO BRING YOUR UNWANTED BOOKS AND READ SOMETHING NEW!
RSVP on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140631359335346
Share Tompkins:
http://sharetompkins.wordpress.com
MLK Community Build:
https://sites.google.com/site/mlkcommunitybuild2
See you there!
Correction: Upcoming Gardening/Farming Events at Cooperative Extension
Please note that the dates below are the correct dates for the Community Beautification Volunteer training, not on 2 Tuesdays as previously announced!
Community Beautification Volunteer Training
Tuesday March 22 & Monday March 28, 6:00-8:30 pm
at Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca NY
The Beautification Brigade takes care of public flower plantings in Ithaca. Have fun, learn gardening techniques, and keep Ithaca gorgeous. Free dinner provided at the trainings. Free and open to anyone who wishes to volunteer with the program. Email Dan Klein at dek22@cornell.edu, or call (607) 272-2292, for more information or a volunteer application.
Spring Field Ornithology begins in one week!
Looking for a great way to learn your local birds? Have you seen the pre-dawn flight of the woodcock? Want to know where you can see a nest of Great Horned owls chicks right here in Ithaca? Ever held a warbler that flew from Mexico in your hand? Want to know what to plant to attract birds to your garden? Spring Field Ornithology, a popular 8-week course offered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology begins next week!
The class consists of Wednesday night lectures, weekend field trips on Saturdays or Sundays to birding hotspots in central NY, and two optional overnight trips. The lecture section also includes two visits to the bird collections of the Cornell Museum of Vertebrates and a night ‘owl prowl.’. Instruction is by Steve Kress, Vice President for Bird Conservation for National Audubon, staff at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and local birding experts. The field trips are organized into beginning, intermediate and advanced levels so the course is suitable for complete novices to experienced birders. There is a sense of community that builds throughout the course, and many people enjoy the trips so much they return to take them year after year with their friends. Students may take the course for credit by making arrangements for an independent study with their advisor.
The course begins Wednesday, March 23 and runs through May 15th. If you think you might be interested, you can watch a video about the course, look at photos, review the course schedule and enroll at. You can see photos posted by last year’s students at http://sfocornell.ning.com/.
If you have questions, contact me at sfoclass or call 607-254-2466.
Happy birding!
Primitive Pursuits Spring Calendar
Primitive Pursuits Spring Calendar
After-school, Home School, School break -Teen & Adult Programs
To register for any of the following programs, or for more information, visit www.primitivepursuits.com, call (607) 272-2292, ext.195, or email PrimitivePursuits@cornell.edu.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
After School Program at Eco-Village
Tuesdays, March 22June 14 (no program 4/19) 3:30-5:45pm
at EcoVillage, Rachel Carson Way, Ithaca NY
A 12-week spring session for youth ages 6-12. Come discover the mysteries in your backyard, and gather natural resources for food, fire, and fun! Build a base camp in the diverse forest on the West Hill, and find yourself at home in the wild as you learn the trees and tracks around you. Craft tools, play games, and bring home your own tales of adventure each week. Cost: $140 – $210 (self-determined sliding scale)
Wilderness Explorers After School program
Wednesdays, March 23June 15 (no program 4/20, 5/18), 2:30-5:00pm
at 4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Road, Ithaca NY
An 11-week spring session for students in grades 3-5. What do you get when you cross several hundred acres of diverse wild spaces, skilled wilderness instructors, and a group of students eager for adventure? Come join the fun and youll find out! As one parent summed it up My son wants to live with your staff at Primitive Pursuits Activities will include: fire-by-friction, navigation skills, edible/medicinal plant use, team and solo challenges, shelter building, and primitive tool-crafting. Cost: $175 – $255 (self-determined sliding scale). Add $25 per child for Pick up and Drop off @ School (BJM, Fall Creek)
Belle Sherman Elementary After School Program
Mondays, March 21-June 13, 2:00-4:30pm (3 options available, below)
For 2nd5th grade students of BSE
What do you want your child to do after school today? How about sending them out into the world of singing birds and bursting spring buds to learn about themselves and the wilderness all around? Through games played and stories told in the woods outside their school, we will begin to learn to recognize the many unique species of trees, plants and animals that call Ithaca home. While making crafts & tools from natural materials children will touch on broader concepts of geology and ecology. We will explore and learn together, following trails of time and our animal neighbors. Primitive Pursuits welcomes your child to the outdoors with safe, fun challenges and adventures that are not to be missed.
Early Spring session (5 weeks): March 21 April 25 (no program 4/18). Cost: sliding scale of $65-$90
Late Spring session (6 weeks): May 2 June 13 (no program 5/30). Cost: sliding scale of $80-$100
Full Spring session (11 weeks): March 21 June 13 (no program 4/18, 5/30). Cost: sliding scale of $140-$200
South Hill Elementary
(4) Fridays, April 1May 6 (no program 4/15, 4/22), 2:00-4:30pm
For 3rd5th grade students of South Hill Elementary
What do you want your child to do after school today? How about sending them out into the world of singing birds and bursting spring buds to learn about themselves and the wilderness all around? Through games played and stories told in the woods outside their school, we will begin to learn to recognize the many unique species of trees, plants and animals that call Ithaca home. While making crafts & tools from natural materials children will touch on broader concepts of geology and ecology. We will explore and learn together, following trails of time and our animal neighbors. Primitive Pursuits welcomes your child to the outdoors with safe, fun challenges and adventures that are not to be missed. Cost: sliding scale of $60-$90
HOME-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Spring Tracks & Trails (Ages 5 9)
Mondays, March 21June 13, 11-week session (no program 4/18, 5/30), 9:30am-1:00pm
at EcoVillage, Rachel Carson Way, Ithaca NY
For homeschooled youth ages 5-9 (and their parents). From songs and stories to games, foraging, and fire-building, this spring the adventure continues as the spring sap flows. Along with our small community of students, parents, experienced instructors, and teen-mentors, we are excited to be joined by red-winged blackbirds, spring peepers, blooming maples, red squirrels, wood nettles, wild mint, and many other special teachers. Come catch the nature-bug with some of the wildest two-leggeds around! Cost: $250-$350, sliding scale.
Youth Nature Awareness Program
Thursdays, March 24June 16, 12 week session (no program 4/21), 9:00am-1:30pm
at 4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Road, Ithaca NY
For homeschooled youth ages 6-14. If you’ve heard great things about Primitive Pursuits, chances are they happened here! Youth are invited to immerse themselves in a long-term relationship with the wild and empowering world of nature. Through the use of primitive and naturalist skills, stories, games and challenges we are able to create a powerful community experience. Come find out why our longest running program remains our best attended program, and find out why Primitive Pursuits is "Not Your Typical Classroom".
Cost: $350-$450, sliding scale.
TEEN PROGRAMS
NEW! Mentor-In-Training (M.I.T)
Youth ages 14 – 17 may participate at many of our regular scheduled programs as Young Mentors in training. Participants will shadow Primitive Pursuits instructors developing their own set of mentoring tools and learning the skills of an environmental educator. Space is limited and interested teens must apply. As with many trades, apprenticing is perhaps the best way to gain certain valuable skills that shape us as individuals and that we may call upon for the rest of our lives. As a Mentor in Training youth will be receiving just that.
When: Schedules will be created on a case by case basis in conjunction with one of other regular scheduled programs
Where: Locations will be dependent on site of the program where you are mentoring
Cost: Seasonal fee of $150 – $300 self determined sliding scale allows participants to mentor at as many programs a week as they desire.
Survival on Saturdays (S.O.S) NEW Program!
(4) Saturdays, March 19, April 16, May 7 & June 4, 9:30am1:30pm
Various natural areas near Ithaca
For youth Aged 14-17 Its time. You know who you are. You want skills. We want to challenge you. Whether youre a Primitive Pursuits old-timer, or just ready to dive in, well meet you out there. Each Saturday will be led by a rotation of your dream team of primitive instructors, including Tim Drake, Akiva Silver, Heidi Bardy, and Luke Learningdeer.
(For those of you who want to know what were doing, youll know that were famous for never telling ahead of time.)Cost: Sliding scale of $75-$150
SCHOOL BREAK PROGRAMS
Spring Camp 2011 (April school break)
Monday, April 18 Friday, April 22, 9:00am 3:30pm*
*Early drop-off at 8:30am. Late pick-up to 5:00pm pre-registration required.
at 4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Road, Ithaca NY
For youth ages 6-14. Primitive Pursuits is a year-round wilderness immersion program. We offer completely outdoor programs, led by seasoned wilderness instructors. We emphasize mentoring through community building activities, wilderness survival challenges and games, and mastering survival skills and knowledge of the natural world. At our Spring Camp, each day you will gather plants for food, tea, and tool-crafting, follow tracks to the animal world, hone fire skills at your base camp, and explore beautiful wild places. We hope to see you there!
Cost: Choose from three options: (self-determined sliding scale)
#1) Monday & Tuesday $110-$165
#2) Wednesday to Friday $150-$225
#3) Monday to Friday $225-$325
ADULT PROGRAMS
Know Your Trees: Free Monthly Tree Walk Series
(6) Saturdays 2:15-4:15 (1/22, 2/19, 3/19, 4/9, 5/7, 6/4)
at Eco Village Ithaca N.Y. (meet at song common house)
For: Adults and children with supervision. Join Akiva Silver, tree lore raconteur extraordinaire, and kindle your own passion and appreciation for the world of trees. If you want to go beyond simple identification to learn their edible, medicinal and utilitarian uses then this is the walk for you. Join Akiva for a six-part series held one Saturday a month beginning in January. If you cant make this one but want to stay in the loop become a fan on our FaceBook page or let us know that you would like to join our mailing list! Cost: FREE! Donations gratefully accepted. Pre-registration is not required but it is recommended in the event that we must cancel the walk. Please come dressed for the weather.
Volunteers Needed Monday & Tuesday evenings for Gardens4Humanity – please consider helping
I’m available. 607-221-9939.–ck
On Sun, Mar 13, 2011 at 9:34 PM, Liz Falk wrote: >
> Good evening all,
>
> Gardens4Humanity(G4H) is in need of one or two people to help with > childcare on Monday evening (5:45)/6-8:30 and/or Tuesday evening > 6:30-8:30. Monday is the first night of our garden educator’s > training and Tuesday is the Food Security Dialogue. Both events are > downtown area. We may have a small amount of money to be able to pay > somebody for their time if you are not able to volunteer. Please > consider helping if you can.
> Childcare makes our events more accessible to people so they can bring > their children and not have to get a sitter, and we have tried many > outlets to get somebody for these two nights- but with no luck. >
> Thank you for considering it. If you or somebody you know can help, > contact Liz erf59@cornell.edu or 793 3383.
> Please share widely,
>
> Liz
>
> more about G4H: ccetompkins.org/g4h
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> FingerLakesPermaculture mailing list
> FingerLakesPermaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/fingerlakespermaculture > Visit http://FLXpermaculture.Net to manage your subscription. >
Volunteers Needed Monday & Tuesday evenings for Gardens4Humanity – please consider helping
Good evening all,
Gardens4Humanity(G4H) is in need of one or two people to help with childcare on Monday evening (5:45)/6-8:30 and/or Tuesday evening 6:30-8:30. Monday is the first night of our garden educator’s training and Tuesday is the Food Security Dialogue. Both events are downtown area. We may have a small amount of money to be able to pay somebody for their time if you are not able to volunteer. Please consider helping if you can.
Childcare makes our events more accessible to people so they can bring their children and not have to get a sitter, and we have tried many outlets to get somebody for these two nights- but with no luck.
Thank you for considering it. If you or somebody you know can help, contact Liz erf59@cornell.edu or 793 3383.
Please share widely,
Liz
more about G4H: ccetompkins.org/g4h
Register now – A few spots left for Edible Forest Garden Design & Theory – March 18-20, 2011
Hi, Folks. Just a reminder that it’s time to register for this next class. We have just a few spots left…
Edible ForestGarden Design & Theory – March 18-20, 2011
Would you like to learn how to garden like the forest even in urban/suburban spaces? Using Edible Forest Gardens by Dave Jacke with Eric Toensmeier as a guide, we will explore the rationale for using these methods to produce a food forest. We will also explore the design process to create conceptual and detailed designs for the patty letting me know to expect you.
Future opportunities:Upcoming EdibleForestGarden Intensives (stand alone or series):
Edible ForestGarden Installation – April 15-17, 2011
Edible ForestGarden Installation and Caretake – May 13-15, 2011
Edible ForestGarden Caretake and Harvest – August 19-21, 2011
More information at: http://rochesterpermacultureinstitute.org/events/efg/
Listen to Dave Jacke, EdibleForestGardens Author, when he comes to Rochester Sunday, April 10th, 2-4 pm
Peace and Permaculture: Food Forestry for Ecological and Cultural Regeneration
More information at: http://barefootpermaculture.com/coming-events/davejacke
Permaculture Design Certification Courses – Rochester, NY
Are you looking for an empowering and sustainable way to create change in yourself, the land you live on, and your community?
Four Seasons Permaculture Design Certification 72 hour course, May 2011 – April 2012
OR
Weekend Permaculture Design Certification 72 hour course, 2011: May 21-22, June 18-19, July 30-31, August 20-21, Sept. 17-18, October 15-16
More information at http://rochesterpermacultureinstitute.org/events/pdc/
Warmly,
patty love, Owner
Barefoot Edible Landscape & Permaculture
patty
Program Director
Rochester Permaculture Institute
www.rochesterpermacultureinstitute.org
patty
http://www.meetup.com/RochesterPermaculture/
585.506.6505
PO Box 18212
Rochester, NY14618
My life’s purpose is gathering and sharing resources and information that regenerate my own and others’ abundant existence and vibrant well-being.
"Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought." ~ Albert Szent-Giorgi, Nobel Laureate
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" ~ Mary Oliver
Tilling Soil of the Community – Open Dialogue/Event this Tuesday 6:30pm
Tilling the Soil of Community
Community Food Security Dialog
Tuesday March 15
6:30 – 8:30 PM *note, start time is 6:30, not 7
WomensCommunityBuilding
Ithaca, NY
Upcoming Gardening/Farming Events at Cooperative Extension
Tractor Workshop for Small Farms
Saturday March 12, 9:00am-12:00pm
Dryden Lawn & Recreation, 54 North Street (Route 13), Dryden
Is there a tractor in your future? Small farmers and rural landowners who are considering purchasing a tractor or who need some basic operation, maintenance, and safety practices are invited to attend this workshop sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Extension SCNY Agriculture Program. Instructors include Fred Carpenter, owner of the John Deere dealership, and Dave Buck, Lansing farmer, who has been actively involved in teaching tractor safety courses. The dealership where this workshop will be held carries and repairs smaller tractors that are suitable for small farm use. To register, call (607) 272-2292 or email mjc72@cornell.edu. There is a $5 fee for this class payable at the door. Dress warmly, workshop is mostly indoor in a heated garage.
Garden Travel Slide Show: Botanical Travel to the Finger Lakes (and Beyond)
Saturday, March 12, 2:00-3:30pm
at Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca NY
This slide presentation by Daniel Segal of The Plantsmen Nursery will feature some of the most beautiful native species that make Ithaca and surrounding areas truly a travel destination. For a fun twist, we will also look at some related species from other regions, and discuss some basics regarding relationships between these plants and our own. A light dose of plant geography and ecology with a heavy dose of pretty plant slides. Refreshments and time to socialize will follow the talk. Free and open to the public but a $3 suggested donation helps support the Horticulture Program. Please call (607) 272-2292 for more information.
G4H / Garden Educator Training
(4) Mondays March 14 & 28, & April 11, 6:00-9:00pm, Saturday April 2 10:00am-4:00pm
Must attend all 4 sessions.
A FREE 15-hour training to create more garden educators in our community, with the Gardens 4 Humanity program. This ‘garden based learning’ training covers topics including gardening basics, effectively teaching kids and adults in and out of the classroom setting, and garden and food related activities. Registration required. Application available online at www.ccetompkins.org/g4h or for pick-up at CCE-Tompkins and GIAC. For questions please contact Liz Falk erf59@cornell.edu.
Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
Saturday March 19 OR 26, 9:00am-12:00pm
Reisinger’s Apple Country Orchards, 2750 Apple Lane, Watkins Glen 14891
This fun, educational workshop is ideal for those that are new to fruit growing as well as the seasoned fruit grower. Instructor Rick Reisinger will demonstrate pruning techniques on apples, stone fruits, nuts and berries throughout his family orchard. Other topics to be covered include grafting and apple tree and renovating an older tree to improve fruit production. This is an outdoor demonstration; participants should dress for the weather. Cider and donuts will be provided. $15/person or $25/couple Preregistration is required by March 4, 2011 for admission to either workshop. Call Schuyler County CCE to register at 607-535-7161.
Community Beautification Volunteer Training
(2) Tuesdays, March 22 & 29, 6:00-8:30 pm
at Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca NY
The Beautification Brigade takes care of public flower plantings in Ithaca. Have fun, learn gardening techniques, and keep Ithaca gorgeous. Free dinner provided at the trainings. Free and open to anyone who wishes to volunteer with the program. Email Dan Klein at dek22@cornell.edu, or call (607) 272-2292, for more information or a volunteer application.
Learn to Prune Trees & Shrubs
(3) Mondays, April 4, 11 & 18, 7:00-8:30pm
at Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca NY
Each spring, CCE-Tompkins offers a training series for individuals who wish to volunteer with the Citizen Pruner Program and for members of the general public. Three workshops will be offered this year:
· (4/4) Trees for Challenging Sites, with Dr. Nina Bassuk of Cornell’s Urban Horticulture Institute
· (4/11) Training Young Trees, Pruning Older Trees, and Tools of the Trade, with City Forestry Technician Jeanne Grace and arborist Keith Vanderhye.
· (4/18) Pruning Shrubs, with Monika Roth, Agriculture Extension Educator at CCE-Tompkins.
Take one or all: classes are $5/each for the general public and FREE to volunteers! Join the Citizen Pruner Program! Citizen Pruner volunteers prune trees and shrubs on streets and in parks throughout the City of Ithaca. Volunteer once a week or when available, from May through October. Training dates are held at the CCE-Tompkins Education Center. For more information, contact Monika Roth at (607) 272-2292 or mr55@cornell.edu.
UN Report: Agroecology Can Double Food Production in 10 Years
From: “Elizabeth Henderson”
*NEWS RELEASE*
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*8 March 2011 *
*Agroecology Can Double Food Production in 10 Years, says new UN report*
GENEVA, 8 March 2011 Small-scale farmers can double food production within 10 years in critical regions by using ecological methods, a new UN report* shows. Based on an extensive review of the recent scientific literature, the study calls for a fundamental shift towards agroecology as a way to boost food production and improve the situation of the poorest.
To feed 9 billion people in 2050, we urgently need to adopt the most efficient farming techniques available, says Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food and author of the report. Todays scientific evidence demonstrates that agroecological methods outperform the use of chemical fertilizers in boosting food production where the hungry live — especially in unfavorable environments.
Agroecology applies ecological science to the design of agricultural systems that can help put an end to food crises and address climate-change and poverty challenges. It enhances soils productivity and protects the crops against pests by relying on the natural environment such as beneficial trees, plants, animals and insects.
To date, agroecological projects have shown an average crop yield increase of 80% in 57 developing countries, with an average increase of 116% for all African projects, De Schutter says. Recent projects conducted in 20 African countries demonstrated a doubling of crop yields over a period of 3-10 years.
Conventional farming relies on expensive inputs, fuels climate change and is not resilient to climatic shocks. It simply is not the best choice anymore today, De Schutter stresses. A large segment of the scientific community now acknowledges the positive impacts of agroecology on food production, poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation — and this this is what is needed in a world of limited resources. Malawi, a country that launched a massive chemical fertilizer subsidy program a few years ago, is now implementing agroecology, benefiting more than 1.3 million of the poorest people, with maize yields increasing from 1 ton/ha to 2-3 tons/ha.
The report also points out that projects in Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh recorded up to 92 % reduction in insecticide use for rice, leading to important savings for poor farmers. Knowledge came to replace pesticides and fertilizers. This was a winning bet, and comparable results abound in other African, Asian and Latin American countries, the independent expert notes.
The approach is also gaining ground in developed countries such as United States, Germany or France, he said. However, despite its impressive potential in realizing the right to food for all, agroecology is still insufficiently backed by ambitious public policies and consequently hardly goes beyond the experimental stage.
The report identifies a dozen of measures that States should implement to scale up agroecological practices.
Agroecology is a knowledge-intensive approach. It requires public policies supporting agricultural research and participative extension services, De Schutter says. States and donors have a key role to play here. Private companies will not invest time and money in practices that cannot be rewarded by patents and which dont open markets for chemical products or improved seeds.
The Special Rapporteur on the right to food also urges States to support small-scale farmers organizations, which demonstrated a great ability to disseminate the best agroecological practices among their members. Strengthening social organization proves to be as impactful as distributing fertilizers. Small-scale farmers and scientists can create innovative practices when they partner, De Schutter explains.
We wont solve hunger and stop climate change with industrial farming on large plantations. The solution lies in supporting small-scale farmers knowledge and experimentation, and in raising incomes of smallholders so as to contribute to rural development.
If key stakeholders support the measures identified in the report, we can see a doubling of food production within 5 to 10 years in some regions where the hungry live, De Schutter says. Whether or not we will succeed this transition will depend on our ability to learn faster from recent innovations. We need to go fast if we want to avoid repeated food and climate disasters in the 21st century.
*(*)* *The report Agro-ecology and the right to food was presented today before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. This document is available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese and Russian at: www.srfood.org and http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/food/annual.htm*
*END*
Olivier De Schutter was appointed the Special Rapporteur on the right to food in May 2008 by the United Nations Human Rights Council. He is independent from any government or organization.
For more information on the mandate and work of the Special Rapporteur, visit: www.srfood.org or http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/food/index.htm
*Press contacts:*
Olivier De Schutter: Tel. +32.488 48 20 04 / E-mail:
olivier.deschutter@uclouvain.be
Ulrik Halsteen (OHCHR): Tel: +41 22 917 93 23 / E-mail: uhalsteen@ohchr.org
