July 2010

July 4-10: Bringing Science of Life — Professional Development for Science Teachers, The Nature Institute, Ghent, NY

In science teaching we strive to lead our students into experiences of the wonderful richness of the world we inhabit. In doing so, we attempt to engage their thinking and feeling, enabling them to both feel at home in this world and encounter with open minds riddles at every turn. Science classes become problematic when students are confronted with concepts as abstractions to which they cannot relate. A phenomenological approach to science teaching strives to weave what is experienced in perception and observation into the development of living concepts. Such concepts, in turn, can spawn interest and give orientation in gaining new experiences. In this course we work together as colleagues and investigate phenomena of the natural world as well as the nature of learning. In previous years we focused on light and warmth. This year we will explore characteristics and qualities of air through demonstrations and practical exercises. Course Leaders: Craig Holdrege, Henrike Holdrege, Jon McAlice. The Nature Institute, 20 May Hill Road, Ghent, NY 12075, 518-672-4844, info@natureinstitute.org., www.natureinstitute.org.

July 7: Heritage Wheat Field Day, Deerfield, MA

Heritage Wheat Field Day, July 7, 1:00 - 5:00, UMass Research Farm, 8991 River Road off Rt 116, Deerfield, MA (near Amherst).
After years of collecting heritage wheats in villages in Europe and the Mideast, we are pleased to invite farmers and gardeners, chefs and researchers to tour the UMass heritage wheat trials of rare grains spanning little known ancient einkorn, emmer, and Transcaucasus wheats to delicious varieties beloved by French artisan bakers, and many more. Taste and bring home heritage wheats that thrive in New England. Learn how to integrate small
grains in a diversified rotation. Share practical experiences to build a local wheat-to-bread system. Taste high nutrition einkorn bread that is safe for many gluten allergies. $10. donation for einkorn bread.
Contact Eli Rogosa to register: growseed@yahoo.com
See: www.growseed.org for registration form.
Funded by NESARE.

July 17: Continuing the Vegetable Garden, Pfeiffer Center, Chestnut Ridge, NY

Continuing the Vegetable Garden, with Mac Mead. More gardening skills for your growing summer garden, including composting. 9 am to 5 pm, $95. 845.352.5020 x20 / info@pfeiffercenter.org / www.pfeiffercenter.org.

July 24-25: On-Farm Biodynamic Workshop, S&S Homestead Farm, Lopez Island, WA

SEVENTH ANNUAL ON-FARM BIODYNAMIC WORKSHOP AT S&S HOMESTEAD FARM
Location: S&S Homestead Farm, Lopez Island, WA (a WSU BIOAg Learning Site)
Instructors: Henning Sehmsdorf & Barry Lia
Learn the basics of Landscape Design with the focus of incorporating food plants within ones’ rural or urban landscape. I will offer techniques to enhance the year round beauty and productivity of any site. The workshop location is an evolving living canvas which demonstrates how edible plants can be woven into this existing site.
Topics to be covered: • Old and New Peasant Farming: economy of scope vs economy of scale • Goethean animal morphology • Biological rhythms in the life of the farm • Forage quality and the Pfeiffer Field Spray • Making the Koepf/Goldstein Compound preparation and oak bark preparation • Spray rig demonstration • Farm walk: How to form a healthy farm organism
Campsites and farm stay accommodation are available.
For more information: www.sshomestead.org or 360-468-3335.

July 31 - Aug. 1: Edible Landscape Design Workshop, Cottage Grove, OR

Location: Cottage Grove, Oregon; on 7.5 acres of abundant micro-climates from which to learn.
Instructor: Jude Hobbs
Tuition: $225 to $200.00 (Sliding Scale) Includes Instruction, course materials, camping & delicious, mostly organic and local meals. Limited local work trades available.
Learn the basics of Landscape Design with the focus of incorporating food plants within ones’ rural or urban landscape. I will offer techniques to enhance the year round beauty and productivity of any site. The workshop location is an evolving living canvas which demonstrates how edible plants can be woven into this existing site.
Topics to be covered: • Basic Design Principles • Site Analysis and Needs Assessment • Drawing a Plot Plan • Soil and Plant Nutrition • Plant Selection Understanding plant characteristics to place the right plant type in the Right Location considering Aesthetics and Function • Water Conservation, Harvesting and Irrigation • Putting it all together
For more information: cascadiapermaculture@gmail.com, (541) 342-1160 www.cascadiapermaculture.com.

August 2010

Aug.: Summer Study Tour of Biodynamic Agriculture and Slow Food, Switzerland and Italy

Summer Study Tour of Biodynamic Agriculture and Slow Food in Switzerland and Italy.
August 2010: Announcing a study tour that focuses for a week on biodynamic agriculture with Nikolai Fuchs and colleagues at the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland, and a week studying Slow Food at the University of Gastronomic Sciences and the University of Florence in Italy. Henning Sehmsdorf (of S&S Homestead Farm on Lopez Island) is co-teaching the course with Professor Gigi Berardi (of WWU Huxley College of the Environment). The study includes a three day intensive on S&S Homestead Farm, including Goethean art and science with guest lecturers Janet and Barry Lia, and a closing seminar on Inspiration Farm in Whatcom County.
See: www.acadweb.wwu.edu/eesp/summer/swissitaly/index.shtml and contact Prof. Berardi for details (gigi.berardi@wwu.edu). Feb 1 is the first deadline. Space is limited.

Aug. 1: Growing, Identifying & Using Culinary & Medicinal Mushrooms, Nelson, NH

Sunday, August 1, 2010, 10 am - 4 pm with David Wichland, "The Mushroom Man"at Wichland Woods in Nelson, NH. Brought to you by the NOFA NH Herbal Network.
We will be looking at the mushroom as a whole: examining it's life cycle and the role that it plays in nature. You'll learn the uses humans have had with mushrooms and mycelium throughout history including the spiritual and health benefits of mushrooms. There will be a Mushroom foray. We will look at basic identification, habitat and wild harvesting practices. We will have wonderful potluck lunch with Wichland Woods mushrooms. We will also examine Wichland Woods and have a broad discussion on mycological landscaping and it's potential in the permacultural model. There will be mushroom spawn, fresh mushrooms, mushroom books, and mushroom for sale at the end of the workshop. All participants will go home with a small bag inoculated with mycelium to grow mushrooms at home! We'll also have the opportunity to harvest and taste mushrooms and mushroom teas.
Cost: $40 for NOFA-NH Members, $50 for Non-Members.
Limited to 20 Participants ~ First Come, First Served!
For more information, visit nofanh.org.

Aug. 7: From Garden to Table: Harvesting and Cooking with Fresh, Local, Biodynamic Produce, Pfeiffer Center, Chestnut Ridge, NY

From Garden to Table: Harvesting and Cooking with Fresh, Local, Biodynamic Produce, with Anthony LoPinto and Mac Mead. Learn about biodynamics, harvest fresh produce from the garden, and then enjoy a delicious five-course meal prepared before your eyes by Chef Anthony LoPinto.Recipes and information packet included. 9 am to 3 pm, $95 (includes lunch). 845.352.5020 x20 / info@pfeiffercenter.org / www.pfeiffercenter.org.

Aug. 8-14: Advanced Permaculture Course in Teaching, Cottage Grove, OR

Dates: Course: August 8-14
Practicum: August 16-17, 2010
Instructors: Jude Hobbs and Andrew Millison
Location: Cottage Grove, Oregon
Tuition: Course: $775-$725 Practicum: $225 Includes Instruction, course materials, camping & delicious, mostly organic and local meals. Limited local work trades available. Limited to 15 participants
Description: Empower yourself to advocate for Change through Whole Systems Design and Teaching.
In this dynamic and interactive course, you will learn significant teaching techniques to communicate Permaculture principles and strategies in a wide variety of settings. We are committed to encouraging and inspiring your unique strengths and talents by demonstrating diverse teaching modalities such as lecture, facilitating class discussions, storytelling, and using visual aids. This is a Certificate Course offered by the Cascadia Permaculture Institute in Collaboration with Permaculture Institute USA. Prerequisite: Permaculture Design Course Certificate
For more information: cascadiapermaculture@gmail.com, (541) 342-116, www.cascadiapermaculture.com.

Aug. 13-15: NOFA Summer Conference, Amherst, MA

Over 200 workshops on organic farming, gardening, land care, sustainability and homesteading. Teen and children's program, dozens of outdoor exhibits and vendors. Entertainment including dancing, country fair, live auction. Dorm rooms, camping and wholesome organic meals.
Keynote speakers: Sally Fallon Morrell, founder of Weston A. Price Foundation and author of bestselling book Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats. Second keynote speaker is Dr. Fernando Funes, of the Cuban Association of Agronomists and Foresters. Dr. Funes will speak on the Cuban transition to a sustainable farming system during the Peak Oil crisis and Soviet withdrawal in the late 1980.
To register visit www.nofasummerconference.org. For more information contact the NOFA Summer Conference office at (978) 355-2853 or info@nofasummerconference.org.

September 2010

Sept. 13-14: Farm & Food Leadership Conference: "Taking Back Control of Our Food Supply", Austin, TX

WHEN: September 13-14, 2010 (Monday-Tuesday). WHERE: Mexican-American Cultural Center, Austin, TX. WHAT: An exciting gathering of activists, farmers & ranchers, consumers, and nonprofits who care about where our food comes from. Come learn about the latest developments in agriculture and food, and get the tools you need to help make a difference! For more information, visit farmandranchfreedom.org/conference-2010.

Sept. 15: The World as a Mirror of Our Inner Selves — a talk and musical improvisation by Ana Pogacnik, Petaluma, CA

"Only when I'm ready to open my heart and to look upon life through it, I can touch my deepest essence and thus the world as a mirror of myself"
7:30 pm, Fort Schlesinger's Barn, Petaluma, CA
Ana's seminars are grounded in the understanding that we are a microcosmic "cell" of the Earth and that, our presence, our being, and our activities mirror the outer landscape while, at the same time, the landscape mirrors our inner selves back to us.
For more information: karendavisbrown@yahoo.com. For more about Ana's work, visit www.ana-pogacnik.com and www.lifenethome.org.

Sept. 25: Natural Beekeeping — The Harvest, Rudolf Steiner College, Fair Oaks, CA

With David Basile. This final workshop prepares us to care for the honeybee year round. We’ll discuss what is required before and during winter, including hive size, ventilation, overwinter feeding, and preventing mites. We’ll finish by enjoying gifts of the hive as we taste the year’s honey and dip beeswax candles. This is Session 3 of 3, which can be taken as a series or individually. $95 (Regular), $75 (Students/Seniors). For information and registration contact Rudolf Steiner College • 916.961.8727 • www.steinercollege.edu • rsc@steinercollege.edu.

Sept. 25: Biodynamics Today: Making of the Autumn Biodynamic Preps, Floyd, VA

With Hugh Courtney and Gunther Hauk. Experience alchemistry in practice. Modern research into enzyme and ferment action, into transformation of substances and chemicals lets us understand why this "crazy-sounding" BD works. We will make 4-5 of the preparations and give instructions for their use. For more information, visit www.spikenardfarm,org, or email spikenardfarm@spikenardfarm.org.

Sept. 25-26: Mother Earth News Fair, Seven Springs, PA

A fun-filled, family-oriented sustainable lifestyle event, featuring dozens of practical, hands-on demonstrations and workshops from the leading authorities on:
* Renewable Energy
* Small-scale Agriculture
* Gardening
* Green Building
* Green Transportation
* Natural Health
You'll enjoy a vast eco-friendly marketplace, organic local food and beverages as well as outdoor equipment and livestock demonstrations. For more information, visit www.motherearthnews.com/fair/home.aspx.

Sept. 30 - Oct. 3: BDA Annual Conference, Chestnut Ridge, NY

Thursday, Sept. 30 — Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, at the Threefold Educational Center in Chestnut Ridge, NY. More details coming soon. See our conference page for updated information and our upcoming call for workshop presenters.

October 2010

Oct. 3-5: Chefs Collaborative National Summit, Boston, MA

The 2010 Summit, "Redefining our Culinary Traditions," will be held in Boston, Massachusetts, October 3-5, at Bunker Hill Community College. This educational and community-building conference will bring together more than 300 chefs and members of the food community to share ideas on integrating sustainable principles into regional culinary and agricultural heritage. For more information and to register, please visit chefscollaborative.org/summit/. Registration is $200 for members and $250 for non-members, and can be purchased online.

Oct. 14-16: BioFach America — Organic Products Expo, Boston, MA

Organic Products Expo-Biofach America features thousands of new and unique certified organic products, timely and informative education seminars and exceptional networking events. Two Shows In One! Organic Products Expo-BioFach America is co-located with the 22st annual Natural Products Expo East.
Events:

• Organic Farm Tour: Enjoy a fun and educational afternoon touring one of the leading certified organic farms in the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Organic Seminars: Well-known organic experts provide information about the latest strategies, trends and regulatory information for the North American and international markets.

For more information, visit www.biofach-america.com/en/default.ashx.

Oct. 16-19: Community Food Security Coalition Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA

"Food, Cuture and Justice: The Gumbo That Unites Us All." Registration begins July 2010. For more information, visit communityfoodconference.org/14/.

Oct. 21-25: Terra Madre — International Slow Food Conference, Torino, Italy

Terra Madre is an international Slow Food conference that gathers sustainable food producers, farmers, cooks, educators and activists from around the world to connect and share their stories and traditions, as well as their innovative solutions for keeping small-scale agriculture and sustainable food production alive and well. Information about how to apply to be a U.S. delegate will be made available on the Slow Food USA web site by mid-April: www.slowfoodusa.org.

Oct. 29-30: 2nd European Sustainable Food Planning Conference, University of Brighton, UK

Planning for sustainable food production and consumption is an increasingly important issue for planners, policymakers, designers, farmers, suppliers, activists, business and scientists alike. In the wider contexts of global climate change, a world population of 9 billion and growing, competing food production systems and diet-related public health concerns, are there new paradigms for urban and rural planning capable of supporting sustainable and equitable food systems? This conference will promote cross disciplinary discussions between active researchers and practitioners in response to this question, and related issues articulated during the first European Sustainable Food Planning Conference held in 2009 in Almere. Working at a range of scales and with a variety of practical and theoretical models, we will review and elaborate definitions of sustainable food systems, and begin to define ways of achieving them. To this end 4 different themes have been defined as entry-points into the discussion of ‘sustainable food planning’. These are (1) Urban Agriculture, (2) Integrating Health, Environment and Society, (3) Food in Urban Design and Planning and (4) Urban Food Governance. Conference themes will enable an articulation of the manifold problems associated with, and possible solutions for, food provision in urbanizing societies in developed and developing countries. For more information, visit artsresearch.brighton.ac.uk/research/projects/continuous-productive-urban-landscape/aesop-2nd-european-sustainable-food-planning-conference.

November 2010

Nov. 12-15: Wise Traditions Conference, King of Prussia, PA

A Showcase for Delicious Traditional Food A Unique Opportunity for Health Professionals and Laymen interested in Diet and Health.
Who Should Attend Wise Traditions? Doctors, nurses, nutritionists, dietitians, parents, students, food writers, food providers, farmers, public servants, teachers, patients, activists, agriculture professionals, people interested in nutrition, people with no interest in nutrition, people who love to cook, people who hate to cook, people who like to eat, Baby Boomers concerned about their health, grandparents concerned about their grandchildren, couples who want healthy babies, people who want answers, people who love controversy. . . and You!
For more information, visit www.westonaprice.org/2010-Conference.html.

Nov. 13: Biodynamics Today: Food Does Matter!, Floyd, VA

With Gunther Hauk. We will not only talk about carbs, proteins and fats, but mainly about the mystery of breaking down and building up in the process of digestion, about forces instead of only substances, about quality instead of quantity, and much more. For more information, visit www.spikenardfarm,org, or email spikenardfarm@spikenardfarm.org.

December 2010