Friday 15 May 2015

Forest Garden Convergence - June 6, 2015


I am really starting to get excited for this year's Forest Garden Convergence!  The planning phase is over, now we're putting things together for what promises to be an amazing and inspirational day.  I'm looking forward to learning from others and having the opportunity to meet some like-minded people.
A few highlights for the day include:
  • Expert panels, discussions and networking
  • All ages activities for the whole family - what a great way to introduce children to food forests and permaculture!
  • Catering by The Root Cellar Organic Cafe (don't forget to place your order on our website at least a week before the convergence to avoid disappointment).
  • A Drum Circle in the evening, facilitated by Sheila Horrel. Bring your own drum, or borrow one!
If you haven't registered yet, or would like more information, head over to the forest garden guild website by clicking here!

Thursday 30 April 2015

2nd Annual Forest Garden Convergence - June 6, 2015

2nd Annual
Forest Gardening 
Convergence

Deep Roots of Regeneration 
 
June 6, 2015
The second annual Forest Garden Convergence will be held on June 6th, 2015. The theme this year is Deep Roots of Regeneration. Join us for panels, discussions, and networking. Meet and connect with forest garden practitioners, permaculture teachers, designers and students from Southwestern Ontario. Buy products related to forest gardening. Learn about local food and plant medicine and the ecological biodiversity of our region.

Family programming will take place throughout the Convergence, however, at least one parent or guardian is will need to remain with their children. It is free for children under 14 to attend, though we ask that you include their names in the Order Notes section at checkout for our planning purposes.
The Forest Garden Convergence brings people together to explore the skills, resources and results of those who are working to reform, recreate, and reimagine our food systems.  Some sessions may also focus on how we educate, how we work, and the communities we build.

Date/Time/Location:
Saturday June 6, 2015
9am – 6pm.
After 6pm – Evening Activities – Bonfire, etc.
at The Living Centre, 5871 Bells Rd, London, Ontario

Forest Garden Convergence 2015 Schedule

8:15 – 9:15 Registration
9:15 – 9:35 Introduction
9:35 – 9:40 Transition to next session
9:40 – 11:00 Panel A – The Deep Roots of Forest Gardening OR All-ages Activity A – Vermicomposting and Making Seed Bombs

11:00 -11:30 – BREAK -
11:30 – 12:30 Panel B – Regeneration through Forest Gardening OR All-ages Activity B – Building a Hugelkultur (a raised planting bed with wood inside)

12:30 – 1:45 – LUNCH – (Optional Forest Garden Tour from 1:15-1:45pm)
1:45 – 3:15 Visioning the Future of the Forest Garden Guild, Organized Networking Session OR All-Ages Outdoor Games
3:15 – 3:20 Transition to next session
3:20 – 4:30 Panel C – From Deep Roots to the Future of Forest Gardening OR All-ages Activity C – Natural Crafts and Songs

4:30 – 5:20 Open networking, and time to visit vendor tables
5:30 – 7:00 – DINNER -
7:00 onwards – Evening Activities, including open mic talent show and a drumming circle around the bonfire.
-----
For more information, or to register CLICK HERE.  Early Bird Registration ends May 1st.

Thursday 22 May 2014

2014 Forest Garden Convergence - less than two weeks to sign up



The Forest Garden Convergence on May 31st is shaping up to be a really excellent event. A dozen speakers sharing their knowledge and experience with Forest Gardening; a specially recorded key-note video from Eric Toensmeier; vendors with forest gardening plants for sale; an evening of fun and entertainment.

If you are planning on attending – and I hope you are! – please remember to register.  We want to ensure that everyone attending has been accounted for (you know, things like name badges and seats and … well, you’ll have to wait to get there for the rest), therefore registration is important.  If you haven’t registered you will miss important information about the day as that information will be going out to registrants only.  If you’ve registered but someone coming with you hasn’t, please give them a nudge.  We want them to get participant information too.

By the way, the image above is the flower of a Maypop, our northern passion flower that can grow in Zone 5 and warmer. After the flower comes the fruit. Yes - passion fruit can be grown in Ontario!


Friday 25 April 2014

Ken Taylor coming to the Living Centre on June 1st

Just one day after the 2014 Forest Garden Convergence, on June 1st, 2014, the Living Centre will be hosting Ken Taylor, who for decades has experimented with hardy fruit trees and plants. His research and development efforts have enabled him to put together one of the most comprehensive and unique tree collections in the world.



This all day workshop will be about replacing corporate genetics (GMOs) with regionally adapted genetics (for which he's coined the term RAGs).

Learn about growing, propagating, and grafting Asian pears, peaches, kiwis, seedless grapes, walnuts, and many more fruit and nuts trees that grow well in our climate with little attention, and have amazing tasting healthy fruit.

Full details and registration is available on the Living Centre website.

Wednesday 2 April 2014

International Permaculture Day!








Get ready for International Permaculture Day on Sunday 4th May – join a global day of celebration and action!
This year’s theme is “Reclaiming Food Freedom!” 
Everywhere new laws are being passed, supposedly for our benefit, which limit our right to healthy, nutritious food; from raw milk bans, to hidden GMOs, to the criminalising of seed saving; the reality is that our once universal right is being robbed for corporate profit. And not only is our health and food sovereignty at stake as the food supply concentrates into fewer hands, but so is our food security, the environment and the livelihoods of countless farmers. We must reclaim our Food Freedom whilst we still can. Join our worldwide call on Sunday 4th May and come celebrate permaculture in action!


Events and Actions near you
Search for Food Freedom events and actions by region on our website: www.permacultureday.org.
Also keep up to date with the latest news via our Facebook page and Twitter.

About International Permaculture Day
Now in its 5th year, International Permaculture Day has grown rapidly from its roots as a local Australian initiative to a global day of celebration. Read about previous years and the amazing diversity of actions:
2012: http://www.permacultureday.org/international-permaculture-day-2012
2013: http://www.live.permacultureday.org


Friday 21 March 2014

Transition Movement in Canada - Research Study Results

Over the past year or so, Rob and I have participated in the 'Transition Emerging' research study.  They have just come out with the first round of results from their surveys. Here is the first page of the two page document:

 
For the full research findings, click this link:

Monday 10 March 2014

Whole Earth Summit



It's short notice (it starts tomorrow, March 11), but I just found out about this event, which looks excellent. They have a huge number of terrific speakers, and its online, and free. You can also buy 'toolkit' packages which give you great discounts on permaculture and other training courses, and access to videos and ebooks. 

http://wholeearthsummit.org